Texas Archival Resources Online

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Descriptive Summary

Historical Note

Scope and Contents

Arrangement

Restrictions

Index Terms

Administrative Information

Description of Series

Series 1: Hamster Theater Board of Directors

Series 2: Hamster Theater Correspondence

Series 3: Hamster Theater Presentations

Series 4: Hamster Theater Photographs

Houston Public Library, Houston Metropolitan Research Center

Hamster Theater Collection:

An Inventory of Records at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library



Descriptive Summary

CreatorHamster Theater (Houston, Tex.)
TitleHamster Theater Collection
Inclusive Date1964 to 1977
Bulk Date1974 to 1976
IdentificationMSS 1124
Extent.1 linear foot: 1 document box
LanguageMaterials are in English.
RepositoryHouston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library

Historical Note

The Hamster Theater was created in the early part of 1971 by a group of neighbors, lead by Ada Allen, who wished to promote community theater in Houston. Their performances were staged until 1975 at the Oaks United Presbyterian Church in Northwest Houston. Later their address changed to T. C. Jester and 34th Street.

The Hamster plays were family-oriented, non-sectarian fun for youngsters of all ages. They commonly staged five plays per year. During the 1975/1976 season the troupe petitioned to change their name to the Houston Little Theater.

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Scope and Contents

The Hamster Theater Collection is comprised primarily of reviews of the Theater’s presentations and correspondence. There are also comprehensive Board minutes and one folder of promotional materials.

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Arrangement

The Hamster Theater Collection is organized into four series by type of record and format
Series 1: Hamster Theater Board of Directors
Series 2: Hamster Theater Correspondence
Series 3: Hamster Theater Presentations
Series 4: Hampster Theater Photographs

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

None.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish or reproduce materials from the Hamster Theater Collection must be obtained from the Houston Metropolitan Research Center or the appropriate copyright holder.

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Index Terms

Subjects
Community theater--Texas--Houston
Subjects (Organizations)
Hamster Theater (Houston, Tex.)
Houston Little Theater

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Hamster Theater Collection. Collection Number MSS 1124. Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library.

Acquisition Information

Donated by: Mrs. Robert L. Cole, Jr., March 6, 1995.

Processing Information

Processing by: Charles Stephenson and Tammy Jordan, July 26, 2007.

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Detailed Description

 

Series 1: Hamster Theater Board of Directors

BoxFolder
11Minutes from May 20, 1975 to June 30, 1977

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Series 2: Hamster Theater Correspondence

Subseries 2.1: Business Correspondence
BoxFolder
12 May 1975 to September 1976
Subseries 2.2: Legal Correspondence
BoxFolder
13May – June, 1975 pertaining to name change to Houston Little Theater

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Series 3: Hamster Theater Presentations

BoxFolder
14The Fantastiks, October 1973
photographs; flyers; programs; reviews
BoxFolder
15The Other Half, April 1974
program; reviews
BoxNumber
16Any Number Can Die, September 1974
program; flyer; reviews
BoxNumber
17 Dark of the Moon, October 1974
programs; reviews
BoxNumber
18On Borrowed Time, June 1975
photographs; program; flyer; press release; reviews
BoxNumber
19Blithe Spirit, September 1975
program; reviews
BoxNumber
110Soon To Be a Major Motion Picture
program; flyer; Oak Presbyterian Church newsletter; reviews
BoxNumber
111Unexpected Guest, February 1976
programs; cast list; photographs; reviews
BoxNumber
112How Green Was My Brownie, March 1976
script excerpt; flyer; program; reviews
BoxNumber
113Critic’s Choice, May 1976
program; flyers; photographs; reviews

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Series 4: Hamster Theater Photographs

BoxNumber
114Assorted snapshots, unidentified
Scrapbook
Includes set drawings; clippings; workshop announcements and photographs. Plays featured are: Seven Nuns in Las Vegas (September 1971) and My Three Angels (November – December 1971)

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