Research Catalog

Title

Winthrop Ames papers

Author

Ames, Winthrop, 1870-1937.

Publication

1908-1931.

Supplementary Content

Finding Aid

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

1 linear foot (1 box and 1 vol.)

Summary

Most of the collection reflects the workings of the New Theatre.

Subjects

• Theater > New York (State) > New York
• New Theatre (New York, N.Y.)

Note

• This material was originally cataloged in the Library's Cage files and as MWEZ 1830. The clippings (MWEZ 225-274, MWEZ 1832-1834 and MWEZ 12,954) were microfilmed on 8 reels (see *ZC-158) some years ago. Programs and printed material from the New Theatre, the Little Theatre and the Castle Square Theatre remain as originally cataloged (MWEZ 1827-1829, 1831, 1836 and 12,956)

Access (note)

• Collection is open to the public. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Advance notice may be required.

Biography (note)

• Theatrical manager, producer, director and writer, Winthrop Ames was born on November 25, 1870 into a wealthy and socially prominent family in North Easton, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard and began a career in publishing because of his family's strong opposition to a career in theater. In 1904, however, he traveled to Europe to study the "new stagecraft" and on his return became joint manager of the Castle Square Theatre in Boston with Loren F. Deland. This led to his appointment in 1908 as managing director of the New Theatre, the largest playhouse in New York City at Central Park West and 62nd St., with Lee Shubert as the business manager and John Corbin as the literary advisor. Founded by millionaires, the New Theatre was to be a repertory theater presenting the best in classical and modern drama free of commercial pressures. Shakespeare was to be the primary offering; the theatre opened in November 1908 with a lavish production of ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA starring Julia Marlowe and E. H. Sothern. However, due to its unwieldy size and financial failure, the theater was closed by its founders after a mere two seasons.
• The New Theatre reopened as the Century, but Ames had moved on to open the Little Theatre on West 44th St. in March 1912. At 300 seats, it was the smallest playhouse in New York City. In 1913, he opened the Booth Theatre on West 45th St. with the Shuberts and managed both theaters into the 1930s. Ames had many successes as a producer including Shaw's THE PHILANDERER (1913), THE BEGGAR ON HORSEBACK (1924) by George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly, and revivals of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas at the Booth, 1926-1929. He was also the director of his plays, demanding high standards for all aspects of each production.
• Respected in the theater world, Ames served on various committees. During World War I he organized the Over There Theatre League which sent actors to Europe to entertain the troops. He retired from theatrical management in 1932 because of poor health, returning to North Easton, but continued to be involved in theatrical affairs. He died of pneumonia on November 3, 1937 in Boston, Mass.

Indexes/Finding Aids (note)

• Collection guide available in repository and on internet.

Call Number

*T-Mss 1938-001

OCLC

NYPG05-A10144

Author

Ames, Winthrop, 1870-1937.

Title

Winthrop Ames papers

Imprint

1908-1931.

Restricted Access

Collection is open to the public. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Advance notice may be required.

Biography

Theatrical manager, producer, director and writer, Winthrop Ames was born on November 25, 1870 into a wealthy and socially prominent family in North Easton, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard and began a career in publishing because of his family's strong opposition to a career in theater. In 1904, however, he traveled to Europe to study the "new stagecraft" and on his return became joint manager of the Castle Square Theatre in Boston with Loren F. Deland. This led to his appointment in 1908 as managing director of the New Theatre, the largest playhouse in New York City at Central Park West and 62nd St., with Lee Shubert as the business manager and John Corbin as the literary advisor. Founded by millionaires, the New Theatre was to be a repertory theater presenting the best in classical and modern drama free of commercial pressures. Shakespeare was to be the primary offering; the theatre opened in November 1908 with a lavish production of ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA starring Julia Marlowe and E. H. Sothern. However, due to its unwieldy size and financial failure, the theater was closed by its founders after a mere two seasons.

The New Theatre reopened as the Century, but Ames had moved on to open the Little Theatre on West 44th St. in March 1912. At 300 seats, it was the smallest playhouse in New York City. In 1913, he opened the Booth Theatre on West 45th St. with the Shuberts and managed both theaters into the 1930s. Ames had many successes as a producer including Shaw's THE PHILANDERER (1913), THE BEGGAR ON HORSEBACK (1924) by George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly, and revivals of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas at the Booth, 1926-1929. He was also the director of his plays, demanding high standards for all aspects of each production.

Respected in the theater world, Ames served on various committees. During World War I he organized the Over There Theatre League which sent actors to Europe to entertain the troops. He retired from theatrical management in 1932 because of poor health, returning to North Easton, but continued to be involved in theatrical affairs. He died of pneumonia on November 3, 1937 in Boston, Mass.

Indexes

Collection guide available in repository and on internet.

Connect to:

Request Access to Theatre Division Special Collections material

Finding Aid

Research Call Number

*T-Mss 1938-001