Scope and Content Note
The Robert Whitehead Papers span the period 1947-2002, with the majority of materials dating from 1950-1996. They include production files, correspondence, business papers, published and unpublished writings, photographs, costume and set renderings, programs and promotional materials, scripts, and biographical materials.
The Production Files series chiefly consists of scripts and business papers related to plays Whitehead produced and directed. It also includes programs, photographs, correspondence with playwrights, actors, and investors, limited partnership agreements, and actor and production contracts. These files span the entire range of Whitehead's career as a producer from the 1940s through the 1990s. Notable files include scripts from his 1982 revival of Medea starring Judith Anderson and his wife Zoe Caldwell, scripts and correspondence from the 1968 production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, and correspondence with Katharine Hepburn about the 1976 production of A Matter of Gravity and the 1981 production of The West Side Waltz. The "Dramatist Guild agreements" file, located within the Business Papers series, also contains contracts for many of Whitehead's signature productions. All files are arranged alphabetically by show title.
Correspondence in the collection includes business and personal letters sent and received by Whitehead, beginning with papers related to the 1947 production of Medea and ending with Whitehead's death. Notable correspondents include Brooks Atkinson, Harold Clurman, Bill Inge, Harold Prince, and Christopher Plummer. All files are arranged chronologically by year. The Business Papers series contains mostly letters and contracts related to theatrical education projects, theater companies with which Whitehead was associated, and awards or memorial projects. The majority of the materials are related to Whitehead's tenure as head of the Lincoln Center Repertory Theater. Of particular interest is correspondence regarding Whitehead's decision to resign from this organization and the ensuing controversy with its board of directors. All files are arranged alphabetically by subject.
The Writings series contains articles, speeches, and book materials written by and about Whitehead. Included are Whitehead's introductions to biographies of Arthur Miller and Harold Clurman, interviews about his career in the theater, materials from his 80th birthday tribute, and writings related to Whitehead's death and memorial. Reviews, articles, and fliers pertaining to Whitehead's productions are arranged by title in the Publicity Files series. Photographs in the collection are mostly images of Whitehead alone or with friends and family members. Interspersed are photos of friends and acquaintances, including Arthur Miller and business partner Roger Stevens. The remaining materials consist of piano-vocal scores or parts for Midgie Purvis and The Conquering Hero, scripts sent to Whitehead for his consideration that were never produced, memorabilia and writings related to Zoe Caldwell, awards, posters, and costume renderings from several of his productions.