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Al Carmines papers
Special Collections and Archives
Al Carmines papers
Special Collections and Archives
Al Carmines papers
- Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
- Title: Al Carmines papers
- Inclusive Date(s): 1969-1989
- Author: Finding aid prepared by Philip Shackelford
- Creation: Finding aid encoded by Philip Shackelford using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2013
- Origination: Carmines, Al
- Extent: 2.00 cubic feet (2 records storage boxes)
- Physical Location: 11th floor
- Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0150
- Abstract: Al Carmines was an instrumental figure in the development of Off Off-Broadway through his work at the Judson Poets' Theater at Judson Memorial Church in New York City. Although primarily a composer, Carmines also performed, sang, and provided musical accompaniment for many of his plays and oratorios. The Al Carmines papers consist of the scripts for many of his plays, oratorios, and operas.
- Language(s): The records are in English
Biography of Al Carmines
Al Carmines was born in Hampton, Virginia, on July 25, 1936. The son of a boat captain and a teacher, Carmines grew up studying the piano and performing at civic, school, and other social events. By the time Carmines finished high school he could have enjoyed a full scholarship to any music school in the country, but had grown tired of playing the piano. He decided to simply let music remain a pastime and instead went to Swarthmore College, majoring in English and philosophy. Still unsure of what to do, Carmines attended Union Theological Seminary and was ordained a Baptist minister in 1961. Soon after graduation Carmines heard of an opportunity for a young minister to create a theater group at Judson Memorial Church in New York. He applied, was accepted, and later that year established the Judson Poets' Theater, thus beginning his career as a musician and composer. Al Carmines died on August 9, 2005, in New York.
Scope and Content
The Al Carmines papers span the years 1969-1989. They are comprised of scripts from his plays, oratorios, and operas during this period. Also included are audio recordings of select productions on audio cassette, as well as transcriptions of several interviews with actors, musicians, and production personnel concerning their associations with Al Carmines.
Statement of Arrangement
This collection is processed at the file level and arranged alphabetically by title of play, oratorio, or opera. Audio recordings of select productions on audio cassette have been foldered and placed in continuing succession after the scripts. Interviews with various actors, musicians, and production personnel concerning Al Carmines are placed at the end of the collection.
Related Material
Additional information concerning Al Carmines can be found in the Judith Murphy papers and the Dennis Hearn papers.
Restrictions on Use
Kent State University does not own the copyright to the materials in this collection.
Preferred Citation
Al Carmines papers. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Acquisition Information
The materials in this collection were gathered by Jay Fields for his dissertation on Al Carmines in the Kent State University School of Speech. These research files were later deposited in Special Collections and Archives.
Subject Headings
The following subjects are found in this collection:
- Subjects:
- Carmines, Al -- Archives
- Off Off-Broadway theater -- History -- 20th century
- Musical theater -- New York (State) -- New York -- History
- Musicals -- United States -- History
- Theater -- New York (State) -- New York
- Persons:
- Guilliatt, Lee
- Borden, Essie
- Herget, Robert
- Kornfeld, Lawrence
- Kurnitz, Julie
- Mailman, Bruce
- McDowell, John Herbert
- Moody, Howard, 1921-2012
- Pursley, Joan Muyskens
- Poland, Albert
- Siff, Ira
- Tice, David
- Wagoner, Dan
- Johnson, David
- Kreitzberg, Danny
- Vaughan, David, 1924-
- Organizations/Corporations:
- Judson Poets' Theater
- Judson Memorial Church (New York, N.Y.)
- Functions:
- Musicals -- Writing and publishing
- Occupations:
- Composers
- Gay composers
- Clergy
- Material Types:
- Audiovisual materials
- Audiocassettes
- Interviews
- Plays
- Librettos
- Photocopies
Detailed Description of the Collection
Unless otherwise noted, the collection is comprised of photocopies of original manuscripts and audio recordings of select productions on audio cassette. Interviews of various actors, musicians, and production personnel concerning Al Carmines have been placed at the end of the collection.
- Box 1 / Folder 1
- About Time, 1970
- Box 1 / Folder 2
- Camp Meeting: 1840, 1976
- Box 1 / Folder 3
- Christmas Rappings, 1969
- Box 1 / Folder 4
- Christmas '74, 1974
- Box 1 / Folder 5
- The Faggot, 1973
- Box 1 / Folder 6
- The Future, 1974
- Box 1 / Folder 7
- Joan, 1971
- Box 1 / Folder 8
- The Journey of Snow White, 1971
- Box 1 / Folder 9
- The Life Of A Man, 1972
- Box 1 / Folder 10
- A Look At The Fifties, 1972
- Box 1 / Folder 11
- The Playful Tyrant, 1970
- Box 1 / Folder 12
- Religion, 1973
- Box 1 / Folder 13
- The Urban Crisis, 1969
- Box 1 / Folder 14
- Why I Love New York, 1975
- Box 1 / Folder 15
- Wanted, 1987
- Scope and Content
- This folder contains correspondence and promotional material regarding the musical Wanted.
- Box 1 / Folder 16
- Elizabeth Takes Her Leave, 1988
-
Physical Description: Audio Cassette
- Box 1 / Folder 17
- Sing Questions: A Celebration of the Theatre Music of William Turner, 1987
-
Physical Description: Audio Cassette
- Box 1 / Folder 18
- A Centennial Tribute to Irving Berlin, 1988
-
Physical Description: Audio Cassette
- Box 1 / Folder 19
- Christmas Rappings, 1988
-
Physical Description: Audio Cassette
- Box 1 / Folder 20
- Restaurant Cabaret, 1989
-
Physical Description: Audio Cassette
- Box 1 / Folder 21
- Performances from Jan Wallman's Late Show, 1988
-
Physical Description: Audio Cassette
- Box 2 / Folder 1
- Interview: Emily Adams, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 2
- Interview: Theo Barnes, undated
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 3
- Interview: Reathal Bean, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 4
- Interview: Arlene Carmen, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 5
- Interview: David Epstein, undated
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 6
- Interview: ‪Lee Guilliatt‬ and Essie Borden, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 7
- Interview: Bob Herget, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 8
- Interview: David Johnson, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 9
- Interview: Larry Kornfeld, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 10
- Interview: Danny Kreitzberg, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 11
- Interview: Julie Kurnitz, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 12
- Interview: Bruce Mailman, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 13
- Interview: John Herbert McDowell, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 14
- Interview: Howard Moody, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 15
- Interview: Joan Muyskens, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 16
- Interview: Albert Poland, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 17
- Interview: Ira Siff, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 18
- Interview: David Tice, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 19
- Interview: David Vaughan, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 20
- Interview: Dan Wagoner, 1977
- Scope and Content
- Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
- Box 2 / Folder 21
- Miscellaneous, 1978, 2005
- Scope and Content
- This folder contains a reflection on the life of Al Carmines, correspondence concerning Jay Fields' dissertation, and a contact list of the individuals reached for interviews regarding Al Carmines.
- Box 2 / Folder 22
- Interview, Al Carmines, 1977
- Scope and Content
- There is no hard copy transcript for this interview. Instead it is recorded on two audio cassettes.
