Robert Hyde Wilson papers, 1931-1983

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Wilson, Robert Hyde
Title
Robert Hyde Wilson papers
Dates
1931-1983 (inclusive)
Quantity
7 linear feet
Collection Number
MS 0529
Summary
The Robert Hyde Wilson papers (1931-1983) consist mainly of theater programs and notes, although some news clippings, correspondence, scrapbooks, and other materials are also included. Robert Hyde Wilson was co-founder of the Lagoon Opera House and directed productions at Kingsbury Hall and Pioneer Theater, both located at the University of Utah.
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Robert Hyde Wilson was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He received a degree in business from the University of Utah in 1936, worked for a few years at the United States Smelting Mining and Refining Company, but found his interest lay in the theater. He acted in a number of Maud May Babcock's plays, and in collaboration with Robert Freed, became a co-founder, manager, and the director of The Playbox in 1937. As his fame spread, Wilson was invited to direct productions at Kingsbury Hall and teach courses in theater at the University of Utah. In 1956, Wilson received his M.A. from the University of Utah and was subsequently granted a full professorship in 1965. Upon the opening of Pioneer Memorial Theater in 1962, Wilson directed one to two main stage productions every season through 1982. Additionally, Wilson co-founded the Lagoon Opera House and was named Impressaro, a position he maintained through 1982.

Wilson constantly worked to keep up with the current trends in theater by taking annual trips to New York to view numerous theatrical productions between 1937 and 1984. He spent six extended study periods in London, England, viewing theater productions and observing techniques taught in drama schools. In addition to his directing skills, Wilson wrote fifteen plays, three of which have been produced on main stage at the Pioneer Memorial Theater.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Robert Hyde Wilson papers (1931-1983) consist mainly of theater programs and notes, although some news clippings, correspondence, scrapbooks, and other materials are also included.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Preferred Citation

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Separated Materials

Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0336).

Processing Note

Processed by Lynette Peck in 1988.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Salt Lake TheatersReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1-6
The Playbox
Programs and announcements.
1944-1963
1 7
Pioneer Memorial Thater, "A Man for All Seasons"
News clippings, program, and schedule.
1964
1 8
Pioneer Memorial Theater, "Wake Up, Old Man"
Correspondence, announcements, floor plan.
1967
1 9-13
Pioneer Memorial Theater, Programs
1962-1982
1 14
Pioneer Memorial Theater, Construction and Dedication
Invitations and programs.
1960-1962
1 15
Pioneer Memorial Theater, Miscellaneous
1 16
Pioneer Memorial Theater, Little Theater
Programs.
1 17
Pioneer Memorial Theater, Babcock Theater
Programs.
1 18-20
University of Utah Theater Season Announcements
1953-1983
1 21-22
Kingsbury Hall, Programs
1937-1962
1 23
Theater 138, Programs
2
Lagoon Opera House
Season programs, announcements, and notes.
1968-1982

Theater BillsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description
Box Folder
3 1-4
Lincoln Center
3 5-10
New York
4
Theater Bills, New York
5
Theater Bills, New York
6
Theater Bills, New York
7
Theater Bills, New York
8
Theater Bills, New York
Folder
9 1-4
National Theater
9 5-12
London

MiscellaneousReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
10 1
Correspondence
10 2
West High Yearbook
1931
10 3
Dorothy Jo Wilson
10 4
Thank You Notes
10 5
Miscellaneous Personal Material
10 6-7
Associates, David O. McKay
10 8
Associates, V. Douglas Snow
10 9
Associates, Maud May Babcock
10 10
Associates, Marvin J. Bertoch
10 11
Associates, Lila Eccles Brimhall
10 12
Associates, C. Lowell Lees
10 13
Associates, James C. Fletcher
10 14
Robert Hyde Wilson Vita
11 1-3
Theater Bills
11 4
"The Spook Sonata"
1947
11 5
Untitled Playscript by Wilson
1935
11 6
U of U College of Fine Arts, Newsletters
11 7
Rehearsal Schedules and Cast Lists
11 8-11
News Clippings
1953-1983
11 12-13
Miscellaneous
12
Scrapbooks
1932-1951
13
Scrapbooks
1957-1959
14
Scrapbooks
1960-1967
15
Addenda

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Playbills--Collections
  • Theater--Utah--History--Sources
  • Theater--Utah--Production and direction

Corporate Names

  • Lagoon Opera House (Farmington, Utah)
  • Pioneer Memorial Theater (Salt Lake City, Utah)
  • University of Utah--Faculty

Form or Genre Terms

  • Clippings
  • Correspondence
  • Playbills
  • Syllabi