http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf1489n74f No online items Finding Aid for the East West Players, Inc. Records PASC.0115 Processed by UCLA Library Special Collections staff; machine-readable finding aid created by D.MacGill UCLA Library Special Collections Online finding aid last updated on 2020 October 23. Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library Box 951575 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575 [email protected] URL: https://www.library.ucla.edu/special-collections Finding Aid for the East West PASC.0115 1 Players, Inc. Records PASC.0115 Contributing Institution: UCLA Library Special Collections Title: East West Players, Inc. records Creator: East West Players (Los Angeles, Calif.) Identifier/Call Number: PASC.0115 Physical Description: 60.9 Linear Feet(113 boxes and 11 flat boxes) Date (inclusive): 1965-1992 Abstract: As the first Asian American theater founded in 1965, East West Players and its history provide valuable account of Asian Pacific American experience. The collection spans 1965 to 1992 and includes administrative files, financial records, and production related files consisting of scripts, photographic material, programs, publicity, sound recordings and videos. Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page. Language of Material: Materials are in English. Conditions Governing Access Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page. Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: This collection contains both processed and unprocessed audiovisual materials. Audiovisual materials are not currently available for access, unless otherwise noted in a Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements note at the series and file levels. All requests to access processed digital materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page. Restrictions on Use and Reproduction Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright. Preferred Citation [Identification of item], East West Players, Inc. records (Collection Number PASC 115). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA. Provenance/Source of Acquisition Gift of East West Players, 1992. Processing Information Collections are processed to a variety of levels depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived user interest and research value, availability of staff and resources, and competing priorities. Library Special Collections provides a standard level of preservation and access for all collections and, when time and resources permit, conducts more intensive processing. These materials have been arranged and described according to national and local standards and best practices. UCLA Catalog Record ID UCLA Catalog Record ID: 4232969 Biography The East West Players theater company (EWP), located in Los Angeles, CA, was founded in 1965. EWP provides Asian Pacific actors, writers, directors, and producers a forum for presenting their unique works from an Asian-Pacific-American perspective, with productions ranging from traditional Asian theater forms to the Asian American experience to mainstream drama and musical theater. The founders of EWP include artistic directors Mako, Rae Creevey, James Hong, June K. Lu, Guy Lee, Pat Li, Yet Lock, Soon-Tek Oh, and Beulah Quo. EWP's second artistic director, Nobu McCarthy, who served from 1989 to 1993, encourged the participation and inclusion of non-Asian actors in the theater group. The third and current artistic director, Tim Dang, started his appointment in 1993. As the first Asian American theater company in the United States, the foundation of EWP was a response to the lack of roles, especially authentic ones, for Asian American actors. Its original purpose statement indicated that "The East West Players departed somewhat from all the traditional Hollywood formulas, for the company shaped new and compelling images of its own and addressed a variety of problems connected with the Asian/Pacific American community and the art of theater." Finding Aid for the East West PASC.0115 2 Players, Inc. Records PASC.0115 Rashomon, the first production of EWP premiered on April 3, 1965 at the University of Southern California. During it's early years, the company staged Asian and European classics, and rehearsed and held workshops at Bethany Presbyterian Church while searching for potential Asian American playwrights. In 1972, EWP moved to 4424 Santa Monica Boulevard, where it began its children's theatre tours and provided a base to stage original works by artistic talents such as Wakako Yamauchi, Momoko Iko, Dom Magwili, Jon Shirota, and Perry Miyake Jr. EWP expanded its outreach to immigrant communities with bilingual tours and musical theatre following the success of the production Pacific Overtures. EWP relocated in 1998 to the former site of Union Church in the Los Angeles neighborhood known as Little Tokyo where it still resides. Scope and Content The collection consists of production material, administrative files, and business and financial records, related to the East West Players theater company (EWP). The production material includes scripts, photographs, reviews, publicity material, sound recordings, videos, and a small amount of correspondence, financial records, and box office reports pertaining to EWP productions. The administrative records contains administrative files, board of director minutes, and newsletters. The business and financial records include files documenting grant applications with multiple foundations and/or organizations as well as general information about season budgets, donations, insurance, and ledgers. Organization and Arrangement Arranged in the following series: Series 1. Administrative Records Series 2. Business and Financial Records Series 3. Correspondence and Research Materials Series 4. Publicity, Development and Special Events Series 5. Productions Series 6. Tours Series 7. (Summer) Workshops Series 8. Script Submissions Series 9. Photographs, Slides, Video Tapes Subjects and Indexing Terms Theatrical companies -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archives. Theatrical producers and directors -- Archives. Audiotapes. Photographs. Business records. Videotapes. East West Players (Los Angeles, Calif.)--Archives Administrative Records Series 1. 1967-1991 Physical Description: 3.45 Linear Feet Scope and Contents note This series contains mostly administrative records of East West Players including bylaws, board of director minutes, season brochure, information on administrators, and newsletter. It provides rich information on the history of EWP and the development of the theater company. Arrangement note Materials are arranged by material types chronologically. Finding Aid for the East West PASC.0115 3 Players, Inc. Records PASC.0115 Administrative Records Series 1.1967-1991 Administrative Files Subseries 1.1973-1991 Administrative Files Subseries 1. 1973-1991 Physical Description: 2 Linear Feet Arrangement note Most of the materials are arranged in chronological order. Scope and Contents note This subseries include materials for EWP adminstrative affairs, including office guidelines, bylaws, season brochures, mailing list, and administrator notes. box 61, folder 7 Administrative Notebook 1980-1981 Scope and Contents note This folder contains the administrative notebook, which contains carbon copies of office records of grants, group sale, subscription, workshop, etc. box 104, folder 7 Advertising 1973 Scope and Contents note This folder contains the clippings of EWP advertisements on newspapers of the year 1973. box 101, folder 18 Award/Certificate 1979-1982 Scope and Contents note This folder contains EWP received awards and certificates, including certificates from LA Drama Critics Circle, awards from Data Boy Magazine, awards from Drama-Logue, certificate from VOLUNTEER, and certificate from City of Los Angeles. box 60, folder 9 Biographical Information No date Scope and Contents note This folder contains copies of the biographic information of EWP edited by the administrative office, which stresses on its history and its impact on the community. box 61, folder 14 Box Office Information No date Scope and Contents note This folder contains box office policy and procedure, ticket discount policy, and master copy of seating chart and ticket sale forms. box 60, folder 10 Brochures of East West Players No date Scope and Contents note This folder contains two different brochures of East West Players. box 60, folder 11 Bylaws of East West Players No date Scope and Contents note This folder contains drafts of East West Players's bylaws. box 104, folder 1 Calendars 1980-1981 Scope and Contents note This folder contains monthly calendars with meeting and rehearsing schedule from 1980 April to 1981 October. box 101, folder 4 Calendars (oversized) 1988 Scope and Contents note This folder contains large size 1988 monthly schedule of EWP rehearsals and meetings. Finding Aid for the East West PASC.0115 4 Players, Inc. Records PASC.0115 Administrative Records Series 1.1967-1991 Administrative