Scope and Content Note
Design materials in the Oliver Smith Papers consist mostly of painted elevations, renderings, sketches, and set plans for theatrical productions designed and/or produced by Smith between the early 1940s and late 1980s. Materials vary widely from production to production and may include any of the following: drop elevations, set renderings, scenic and prop details, ink and pencil sketches, sketchbooks, blueprints and technical drawings, fabric swatches, research materials, production schedules, and other miscellaneous items.
The container list is arranged alphabetically by show title, then chronologically by date/location of production if known. The list largely does not specify individual designs, as most renderings and scenic details have working titles that are very general and provide little context unless they are viewed first hand. Descriptions of individual items are, however, found in a supplemental print index that is available in person upon request. Contents of boxes are identified only for especially notable productions or those with significant quantities of design materials.
Researchers are encouraged to begin their exploration of the Oliver Smith Papers by viewing the digitized collection items and/or a print slide catalog prior to requesting any physical materials. Many of Smith's finest designs are available as high-resolution, digital photographs that were extracted from nearly 300 CDs. Scattered among these images are numerous works by Smith held by other institutions or private collectors.
Additional design materials and other collection items will be added to the finding aid upon completion of processing.