Research Catalog

Title

Jackie's testimony [videorecording] : eclipse with masks. [directed by Jerome Robbins].

Publication

1968.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Robbins, Jerome.
• Guare, John.
• Stone, Tom.
• American Theatre Laboratory (New York, N.Y.)

Description

1 videocassette (VHS, NTSC) (41 min.) : sd., b&w; 1/2 in.

Summary

A rehearsal of a scene from an untitled work in progress, in which the character of Jacqueline Kennedy gives testimony about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy before the Warren Commission. This version of the scene, called Realistic, is performed in a set with living-room furniture, without masks or Noh staging. The scene lasts approximately 20 minutes. The remainder of the tape contains a wordless, improvisational (semi-choreographed) exercise called Eclipse, set to Japanese-style flute and percussion music. Jerome Robbins appears at the end of the tape in conversation with the actors.

Series Statement

Jerome Robbins Collection

Alternative Title

American Theatre Laboratory workshop.

Subjects

• Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy, 1929-1994 > Drama
• Theater rehearsals
• Kennedy, John F (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963 > Assassination > Drama
• Improvisation (Acting)
• Experimental theater > New York (State) > New York
• Drama

Genre/Form

Drama.

Note

• Title from original container.
• No time/date code on frame.

Access (note)

• Permission required.

Event (note)

• Videotaped in American Theatre Laboratory workshop, in New York City, on Mar. 25, 1968.

Funding (note)

• Preservation made possible in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biography (note)

• American Theatre Laboratory was created in 1966 by Jerome Robbins, with a $300,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The experimental theater workshop rehearsed several projects but did not produce any shows. One project took the assassination of President John F. Kennedy as a subject. The script, begun by Tom Stone and further developed by John Guare, was adapted from the Warren Commission Report, and the staging was influenced by Japanese Noh drama. Scenes from this project were rehearsed in many different forms and with different casts. Jerome Robbins directed all sessions. American Theatre Laboratory disbanded in 1968.

Call Number

*MGZIA 4-6106 JRC

OCLC

NYPT03-F198

Title

Jackie's testimony [videorecording] : eclipse with masks. [directed by Jerome Robbins].

Imprint

1968.

Country of Producing Entity

U.S.

Series

Jerome Robbins Collection

Restricted Access

Permission required.

Performer

Performed by members of the American Theatre Laboratory.

Event

Videotaped in American Theatre Laboratory workshop, in New York City, on Mar. 25, 1968.

Funding

Preservation made possible in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biography

American Theatre Laboratory was created in 1966 by Jerome Robbins, with a $300,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The experimental theater workshop rehearsed several projects but did not produce any shows. One project took the assassination of President John F. Kennedy as a subject. The script, begun by Tom Stone and further developed by John Guare, was adapted from the Warren Commission Report, and the staging was influenced by Japanese Noh drama. Scenes from this project were rehearsed in many different forms and with different casts. Jerome Robbins directed all sessions. American Theatre Laboratory disbanded in 1968.

Added Author

Robbins, Jerome. Director

Guare, John. Author

Stone, Tom. Author

American Theatre Laboratory (New York, N.Y.)

Other Title

American Theatre Laboratory workshop.

Research Call Number

*MGZIA 4-6106 JRC