Quirk Dramatic Arts and Sponberg Theatre Buildings records
15.QS

Summary Information

Repository
Eastern Michigan University Archives
Title
Quirk Dramatic Arts and Sponberg Theatre Buildings records
ID
15.QS
Date [bulk]
Bulk, 1981-1986
Date [inclusive]
1935-2008
Extent
0.8 Linear feet 2 archives boxes
Language
English
Language of Materials note
All records are in English unless otherwise noted.
Abstract
The Quirk Dramatic Arts and Sponberg Theatre Buildings records (1935-2008) contains material related to the construction and dedication of the Quirk Dramatic Arts building, the history of the theatre, as well as planning, fundraising, and publicity material for its expansion and renovation to include the Sponberg Theatre in the 1980s. The collection includes newspaper clippings, blueprints, press releases, brochures, flyers, correspondence, manuscripts, and memorabilia.

Preferred Citation note

Please cite materials from the University Archives in the following manner: Item. Collection Title. Eastern Michigan University Archives.

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Historical note

The Quirk-Sponberg theatre (originally the Quirk Theatre) was built in 1958, with renovations and expansion to add the Sponberg theatre in 1985. It houses the Communication, Fine Arts and Theatre programs for Eastern Michigan University. The theatres are named after Daniel L. Quirk, Jr., a founder of the theater movement in Ypsilanti, and Harold Sponberg, president of EMU from 1965-1974.

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Scope and Contents

The Quirk Dramatic Arts and Sponberg Theatre Buildings records provide historical information on the theater facilities of Eastern Michigan University, including their construction, dedication, and renovation. The collection covers the years 1935 to 2008, with the largest portion of the material from 1981-1986, the period of planning, fundraising, and construction of the Sponberg Theatre and renovations to the theater in general. There are newspaper clippings (including coverage of Carol Channing's visit in 1983), blueprints, press releases, brochures, flyers, correspondence, manuscripts, and memorabilia in the collection.

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Arrangement of materials

The collection is arranged into three series: 1. History of the Quirk-Sponberg Theatre, including an overview of the building's construction and history, blueprints, material related to the Quirk family, and newspaper clippings about the theatre; 2. Publicity and outreach, which includes press releases, brochures and flyers, correspondence, and memorabilia related to the theater in general (mostly not individual productions); 3. Renovation, which encompasses material related to fundraising and planning for the theater's expansion and renovation in the 1980s, as well as a script for the dedication ceremony.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Eastern Michigan University Archives 2012 June 4

Halle Library, Room 310
Ypsilanti, Michigan, 48197
734-487-0020

Conditions Governing Access note

Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.

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Related Materials

Related Archival Materials note

For more information about theatre studies at EMU, see the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre Arts records. For further information about particular theatrical productions, see the Theatre records. For information about Theatre for the Young, see the Applied Drama and Theatre for the Young collection. For information about Greek Theatre, see the Greek Theatre collection. For information about the Federal Theatre Project, see the Federal Theatre Project collection. All of these collection are held in the University Archives.

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Controlled Access Headings

Personal Name(s)

  • Channing, Carol
  • Quirk, Daniel L.
  • Sponberg, Harold

Subject(s)

  • Eastern Michigan University. Dept. of Communication and Theatre Arts
  • Quirk Theatre
  • Theaters.

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Collection Inventory

History of the Quirk-Sponberg Theatre 

 Plakmeyer, Brenda Weaver, Tonya Historic American Buildings Survey 2000 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024767023)   1 1

Quirk family history 1935-2005 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024767023)   1 2

Clippings 1958-2008 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024767023)   1 3-5

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Publicity and outreach 

Press releases 1957-1985 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024767023)   1 6

Brochures and flyers 1959-1996 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024767023)   1 7

Correspondence 1983-1988 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024767023)   1 8

Memorabilia 1986 


    Box Folder
Realia (32307024767023)   1 9

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Renovation 1981-1986 

Fundraising campaign 1981-1986 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024767015)   2 1-5

Dedication ceremony 1986 


    Box Folder
Text (32307024767015)   2 6

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