ASHTON SPRINGER ARCHIVE

About this Item

The Ashton Springer Archive is a large, diverse collection of materials that document the life and work of Ashton Springer ¿ an important African American theater producer who was active and influential in the New York City and the national theater scene in the 1970s and 80s. The archive consists of hundreds of items that comprise a number of categories embodying Springer¿s life, work and output (mostly in the 1970s, 80s and 90s). Considered the first black producer to ¿wield real power¿ on Broadway, Springer ¿ born in Manhattan to West Indian parents - died at the age of 82 in July 2013. ¿He is credited not only with helping to bring theater by and about African-Americans to wider public consciousness, but also with helping to bring late-20th-century African-American audiences to Broadway.¿ (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/21/theater/ashton-springer-broadway-producer-dies-at-82.html?_r=0) Unfortunately very little primary source material is available on Springer and his activities, particularly in his most active and influential period (the 70s through the 90s), which is what this archive covers. Researchers, biographers, historians and filmmakers are going to be hard put to find unpublished, detailed Springer information, especially that which shows the inside view of his life, struggles and work. Fortunately, the materials present in this archive is a mother load of Springer information that cannot be found elsewhere. For various reasons, little else on Springer is likely to come to market or become available. Notably, not only does this archive reveal much about Springer¿s life and work, but it also tells much about African American theater in general in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Springer was a pioneer since - despite the fact that black actors, performers, musicians, dancers, playwrights and even directors are not rare on Broadway - black producers are extremely scarce and Springer was one of the earliest to achieve prominence. Among the many productions that Springer was responsible for or heavily involved with were: ¿ NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY ¿ BUBBLING BROWN SUGAR ¿ EUBIE! ¿ ATHOL FUGARD¿S ¿A LESSON FROM ALOES,¿ ¿ AN ALL-BLACK REVIVAL OF ¿GUYS AND DOLLS¿ ¿ ROLLIN¿ ON THE T.O.B.A. The Springer archive contains various types of objects, including ¿ FILES AND CORRESPONDENCE ¿ SCRIPTS, PLAYS, ETC. ¿ POSTERS ¿ AWARDS & PLAQUES ¿ PLAYBILLS & OTHER THEATER PUBLICITY MEMORABILIA ¿ PHOTOGRAPHS ¿ BUSINESS, LEGAL AND FINANCIAL RECORDS ¿ ARTIFACTS Springer ¿ prominent in cultural and performing arts circles, especially in New York - won a number of awards, some of which are represented in the archive. If seriously interested, inquire about the price. Bookseller Inventory # 000330

Bibliographic Details

Title: ASHTON SPRINGER ARCHIVE

Binding: No Binding

Book Condition: Very Good