Scrapbook (part 2 of 3)

The scrapbook consists primarily of original photographs, programs, and newspaper clippings from Dayton Civic Theatre productions during the time period 1938-1942. During this time, the productions were performed by the Phoenix Players (directed by Edmund Wilkes) at the Dayton Art Institute auditorium. The Players performed plays (both classics and more modern), sketches, and readings. Of particular interest may be the "Great Days in Dayton" radio broadcast, sponsored by Dayton Power and Light.

The majority of the items in the scrapbook are original, high quality black and white photographs of the productions. Many programs are also included, with information about the cast and crew, theatre board and supporters, and local advertisements. Newspaper clippings include promotions for upcoming shows, human interest pieces about the cast, and reviews (especially "Down the Aisle" by local theatre critic Chuck Gay). Several issues of "The Civic Theatre News" newsletter are also present. Occasionally, items such as prop lists and membership surveys are included.

Users should note that although the materials remain in the order in which they were received, many items were inserted loose into the scrapbook and so the current order might not be the original order. Furthermore, few of the photographs are labeled or identified in any way, so it may be difficult to determine which production they came from. However, it is usually possible to determine that a particular group of photographs go together (i.e. depict the same production).

The majority of the scrapbook focuses on the Dayton Civic Theatre from 1938-1942. However, a few programs come from the Phoenix Players' work in Port Washington, Wisconsin, presumably during the same time period. And a group of clippings at the end of the scrapbook consist of Edmund Wilkes' work as a music critic in Tokyo in the late 1970s. Wilkes sent the clippings to Eleanor McCann in 1978.