Chicago Medieval Players Records

Dates: 1948-1993, undated; bulk dates: 1986-1993
Size: 4 linear feet in 10 boxes, includes 20 photographs
Repository: Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605
Collection Number: spe-ctc-cmp
Immediate Source of Acquisition: Donated by Sheila Chapman for Chicago Medieval Players, 1995
Conditions Governing Access: Materials are open without restrictions.
Physical Location Note: Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please request materials at least 24-hours prior to your research visit to coordinate access.
Conditions Governing Use: Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.
Preferred Citation: When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Chicago Medieval Players Records, [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library
Finding Aid Author: Original author unknown. Updated in 2023 by Michelle McCoy and Beth Bruins. Ingested into ArchivesSpace by Beth Bruins, 2023.

Abstract

The Chicago Medieval Players Company was founded by Ann Faulkner in 1985. The company focused on drama from the twelfth to the sixteenth centuries. The collection includes production and artistic files for 13 plays as well as administrative materials.

Biographical/Historical

Founded by Ann Faulkner, the board of Chicago Medieval Players was composed of medieval scholars, most either PhDs or PhD candidates, and many taught at local colleges and universities. Chicago Medieval Players was considered “in residence” at the University of Chicago International House but performed most often at the Fine Arts Building.

Chicago Medieval Players toured frequently to meetings and conferences of medieval societies and associations (mostly in the Midwest), including a trip to Girona, Spain, to present A Saint Nicholas Miracle at the Festival de Teatre Medieval in 1992. CMP also participated in local theater festivals, such as Around the Coyote and the Chicago Off-Off-Loop Theater Festival.

While receiving grants from the Illinois Arts Council and the City Arts Council and becoming an Equity theater in 1990, the Chicago Medieval Players was always on a shoestring budget. When Ann Faulkner, who was the Artistic Director for the life of the company, died unexpectedly in 1993, the Board of Directors decided to close down operations.

Scope and Contents

Contains production, administrative, artistic and outreach material including scripts, scores, programs, reviews, press releases, posters, flyers, photographs, technical and artistic design, correspondence, budgets, research, travel arrangements, affiliations, fundraising materials, mission statements and minutes from Board of Directors and staff meetings. The collection documents Chicago Medieval Players’ years under the direction of Ann Faulkner until her untimely death in 1993 and the dissolution of the company.

Separated Materials

Videotapes have been removed to the Chicago Theater Videotape Collection.

Arrangement

  • Series 1: Production History Files, 1986-1993, undated
  • Series 2: Administrative Files, 1982-1993, undated
  • Series 3: Artistic Files, 1948-1993, undated

Subject Headings

  • Chicago Medieval Players
  • Faulkner, Ann
  • Theater -- Illinois -- Chicago -- 20th century -- Sources
  • Theater -- History -- Sources
  • Theater production and direction

Related Collections

  • Chicago Shakespeare Company
  • Chicago Theater Collection Videotape Collection
  • Gould, E.B. Programs Collection

Collection Inventory

Series 1: Production History Files, 1986-1993

Scope and Contents

Series 1 includes budgets, cast lists, notes, photographs, programs, promotional items, research, scripts, scores and other materials related to the production of Chicago Medieval Players productions.

Productions include:
  • Esmoreit, directed by Fred Zimmermann, costumes by Jean Dunkerley, 1993
  • The Great Stage of the World, by Pedro Calderon de la Barca, directed by Howard Kaplan, musical direction by Ann Faulkner, choreography by Karen Johnson, costumes by Sheila Chapman, sets by Joan Koblick, 1989 February 17-March 12
  • Johan! Johan! by John Heywood, directed By Ann Faulkner, 1991 March 1-24
  • Lady of Andros (Andrea), by Menander, 1988 October 7-30
  • La Moscheta by Ruzante (Angelo Beolco), directed by Thomas Simpson, sets by Elizabeth Finkle, costumes by Jean Dunkerley, 1992 October 9-November 22
  • Nature and Sensual Appetite, by John Rastell, directed by Ann Faulkner, costumes by Jean Dunkerley, sets by Betsy Dzuira, 1991 October 17-December 1
  • Play of the Wether by John Heywood, directed by Ann Faulkner and Jeremy Warburg, presented at the Fifth Biennial New College Conference on Medieval-Renaissance Studies, Sarasota, Florida, 1986 March 6-8
  • The Play of the Wether by John Heywood, directed by Gregory Franklin, costumes by Nancy Phillips, 1987 May 1-10
  • Queen Hester, directed by Susan Pellowe, 1988 February 19-March 12, 1988
  • Resurrexit! directed by Ann Faulkner, music direction and costumes by Evelyn Kaehler, lighting by James Carson, choreography by Karen Johnson, 1989 April 14-May 6
  • A St. Nicholas Miracle from the Fleury Playbook, directed by Ann Faulkner, costumes by Nancy Phillips, sets by Charles McDonough, with singers from Musica Ecclesiae, 1986 November 28-December 28
  • A St. Nicholas Miracle from the Fleury Playbook, directed by Ann Faulkner, costumes by Jean Dunkerley, 1992 May 17 and June 20
  • A St. Nicholas Miracle, Festival de Teatre Medieval, Girona, Spain, 1992 June 29-July 5
  • Suspect Truth by Juan Ruiz de Alarcon, directed by Mary Anderson, 1990
  • Tom Tiler, directed by Ann Faulkner, musical direction by Dale Muehler, fight choreography by Jolie Steckart, lighting by Edward Lasky, 1989
  • Two Merry Tales: Pathelin and Johan! Johan, directed by Gregory Franklin, 1987 November 13-December 6
  • Wit and Science by John Redford, with a prologue by David Bevington, directed by Ann Faulkner, Music direction by Pamela Pettibone, 1990
Arrangement

Series 1 is arranged into seven subseries by theater season.

  • Subseries A: Season, 1986-1987, undated
  • Subseries B: Season, 1987-1988, undated
  • Subseries C: Season, 1988-1989, undated
  • Subseries D: Season, 1989-1990
  • Subseries E: Season, 1990-1991
  • Subseries F: Season, 1991-1992, undated
  • Subseries G: Season, 1992-1993, undated

Subseries A: Season, 1986-1987, undated

Arrangement

Subseries A is arranged chronologically by production and then alphabetically within. The number of images with the same description is indicated in parentheses.

Box 1 Folder 1 Play of the Wether, script and Fifth Biennial New College Conference on Medieval-Renaissance Studies program, 1986
Box 1 Folder 2 Promotional material, 1986-1987
Box 1 Folder 3 A St. Nicholas Miracle, music and scores, undated
Box 1 Folder 4 A St. Nicholas Miracle, narration script [final version], undated
Box 1 Folder 5 A St. Nicholas Miracle, notes, undated
Box 4 Folder 22 A St. Nicholas Miracle, photographs (5), 1986 November 28-December 28
Box 1 Folder 6 A St. Nicholas Miracle, program and program copy, 1986 November 28-December 28
Box 1 Folder 7 A St. Nicholas Miracle, promotional material, 1986 November 28-December 28
Box 1 Folder 8 A St. Nicholas Miracle, research, undated
Box 1 Folder 9 A St. Nicholas Miracle, research, Fleury Playbook, undated
Box 1 Folder 10 A St. Nicholas Miracle, script (Latin), undated
Box 1 Folder 11 A St. Nicholas Miracle, script and score, undated
    A St. Nicholas Miracle, [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection, no. 1.80u], 1986 November 28-December 28
Box 1 Folder 12 The Play of the Wether, budget, 1987
Box 1 Folder 13 The Play of the Wether, contact sheet, 1987 May 1-10
Box 1 Folder 14 The Play of the Wether, correspondence and notes, 1987
Box 1 Folder 15 The Play of the Wether, costume notes, undated
Box 4 Folder 23 The Play of the Wether, photographs (5), 1987 May 1-10
Box 1 Folder 16 The Play of the Wether, program and program copy, 1987 May 1-10
Box 1 Folder 17 The Play of the Wether, promotional material, 1987 May 1-10
Box 1 Folder 18 The Play of the Wether, student responses, 1987 May 1-10

Series 1: Production History Files, 1986-1993

Subseries B: Season, 1987-1988, undated

Arrangement

Subseries B is arranged chronologically by production and then alphabetically within.

Box 1 Folder 19 Promotional material, 1987-1988
Box 1 Folder 20 Two Merry Tales: Pathelin and Johan! Johan, cast list, 1987 November-December
Box 1 Folder 21 Two Merry Tales: Pathelin and Johan! Johan, program, 1987 November-December
Box 1 Folder 22 Two Merry Tales: Pathelin and Johan! Johan, promotional material, 1987 November-December
Box 1 Folder 23 Two Merry Tales: Pathelin and Johan! Johan, research, 1987
Box 1 Folder 24 Two Merry Tales: Pathelin and Johan! Johan, scripts, undated
Box 4 Folder 24 Two Merry Tales: Pathelin and Johan! Johan, photographs (2), includes Charley Sherman and Fred Zimmerman, 1987 November-December
Box 1 Folder 25 Queen Hester, cast list, 1988 February-March
Box 1 Folder 26 Queen Hester, promotional material, 1988 February-March
Box 1 Folder 27 Queen Hester, research and notes, undated
Box 1 Folder 28 Queen Hester, reviews, news clippings 1988 February-March
Box 1 Folder 29 Queen Hester, scripts, 1987 December 17, undated

Series 1: Production History Files, 1986-1993

Subseries C: Season, 1988-1989, undated

Arrangement

Subseries C is arranged chronologically by production and then alphabetically within.

Box 2 Folder 1 Promotional material, 1988-1989
Box 2 Folder 2 Lady of Andros (Andrea), contracts and notes, 1988, undated
Box 2 Folder 3 Lady of Andros (Andrea), promotional material, 1988 October
Box 2 Folder 4 Lady of Andros (Andrea), script, undated
Box 2 Folder 5 The Great Stage of the World, cast list, 1989 February-March
Box 2 Folder 5a The Great Stage of the World, costumes, undated
Box 2 Folder 6 The Great Stage of the World, correspondence, 1988
Box 2 Folder 7 The Great Stage of the World, promotional material, 1989 February-March
Box 2 Folder 7a The Great Stage of the World, research, undated
Box 2 Folder 8 The Great Stage of the World, reviews, news clippings, 1989 February-March
Box 2 Folder 8a The Great Stage of the World, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 9 Resurrexit! audition forms, cast lists, and contracts, 1989, undated
Box 2 Folder 10 Resurrexit! correspondence, 1988
Box 2 Folder 11 Resurrexit! programs, [includes performance at the 24th International Congress on Medieval Studies, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1989 May 6], 1989 April-May
Box 2 Folder 12 Resurrexit! promotional material, 1989 April-May
Box 2 Folder 13 Resurrexit! rehearsal and performance schedule, 1989, undated
Box 2 Folder 14 Resurrexit! research, undated
Box 2 Folder 15 Resurrexit! reviews, news clippings, 1989
Box 2 Folder 16 Resurrexit! scripts, undated
    Resurrexit! [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection, no. 1.81], 1989 April-May

Series 1: Production History Files, 1986-1993

Subseries D: Season, 1989-1990

Arrangement

Subseries D is arranged chronologically by production and then alphabetically within.

Box 2 Folder 17 Promotional material, 1989-1990
Box 2 Folder 18 Tom Tiler, programs, 1989
Box 2 Folder 19 Tom Tiler, promotional material, 1989
Box 2 Folder 20 Tom Tiler, research and notes, 1989
Box 2 Folder 21 Tom Tiler, reviews, news clippings, 1989
Box 2 Folder 22 Tom Tiler, scripts, 1989
Box 4 Folder 26 Tom Tiler, photograph (1), includes Jim Carson, Jack Ramey, and Natalie Stein, 1989
Box 2 Folder 23 Pathelin, at the Off-Off Loop Festival, programs, 1990 March-April
Box 2 Folder 24 Wit and Science, music, 1990
Box 2 Folder 25 Wit and Science, programs, 1990
Box 2 Folder 26 Wit and Science, scripts, 1990

Series 1: Production History Files, 1986-1993

Subseries E: Season, 1990-1991

Arrangement

Subseries E is arranged chronologically by production and then alphabetically within.

Box 3 Folder 1 Suspect Truth, cast list and rehearsal schedule, 1990
Box 4 Folder 27 Suspect Truth, photograph (1), includes Peter Christiansen, Kraig Schwartz, Shane Willeford, 1990
Box 3 Folder 2 Suspect Truth, program, 1990
Box 3 Folder 3 Suspect Truth, promotional material, 1990
Box 3 Folder 4 Suspect Truth, reviews, news clippings, 1990
Box 3 Folder 5 Suspect Truth, scripts, 1990
    Suspect Truth, [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection, no. 1.82], 1990
Box 3 Folder 6 Johan! Johan! program, 1991 March
Box 3 Folder 7 Johan! Johan! promotional material, 1991 March
Box 3 Folder 8 Johan! Johan! reviews, news clippings, 1991 March

Series 1: Production History Files, 1986-1993

Subseries F: Season, 1991-1992, undated

Arrangement

Subseries F is arranged chronologically by production and then alphabetically within.

Box 3 Folder 9 Promotional material, 1991-1992
Box 3 Folder 10 Nature and Sensual Appetite, actors survey, undated
Box 3 Folder 11 Nature and Sensual Appetite, audience survey, 1991 October 17-December 1
Box 3 Folder 12 Nature and Sensual Appetite, cast list, undated
Box 3 Folder 13 Nature and Sensual Appetite, costume information, undated
Box 3 Folder 14 Nature and Sensual Appetite, music, undated
Box 3 Folder 15 Nature and Sensual Appetite, programs, 1991 October-December
Box 3 Folder 16 Nature and Sensual Appetite, program copy,1991 October-December
Box 3 Folder 17 Nature and Sensual Appetite, promotional material,1991 October-December
Box 3 Folder 18 Nature and Sensual Appetite, research,1991 October-December
Box 3 Folder 19 Nature and Sensual Appetite, reviews, news clippings,1991 October-December
Box 3 Folder 20 Nature and Sensual Appetite, scripts,1991 October-December
Box 3 Folder 21 Nature and Sensual Appetite, scripts (Nature of Four Elements), 1991, undated
Box 3 Folder 22 Nature and Sensual Appetite, student handbook,1991 October-December
    Nature and Sensual Appetite, [See: Chicago Theater Video Collection no. 1.83],1991 October-December

Series 1: Production History Files, 1986-1993

Subseries G: Season, 1992-1993, undated

Arrangement

Subseries G is arranged chronologically by production and then alphabetically within.

Box 4 Folder 1 A St. Nicholas Miracle from the Fleury Playbook, directed by Ann Faulkner, costumes by Jean Dunkerley, programs and promotional material, 1992 May 17,  June 20
Box 4 Folder 2 A St. Nicholas Miracle, Festival de Teatre Medieval, Girona, Spain, budgets and notes for traveling, 1992, undated
Box 4 Folder 3 A St. Nicholas Miracle, Festival de Teatre Medieval, Girona, Spain, cast, 1992 June-July
Box 4 Folder 4 A St. Nicholas Miracle, Festival de Teatre Medieval, Girona, Spain, correspondence, 1991-1992
Box 4 Folder 5 A St. Nicholas Miracle, Festival de Teatre Medieval, Girona, Spain, promotional material, 1992 June-July
    A St. Nicholas Miracle, [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection, no. 4.31], undated
Box 4 Folder 6 Promotional material, 1992-1993
Box 4 Folder 7 La Moscheta, budget and equity information, 1992
Box 4 Folder 8 La Moscheta, play guide, 1992 October-November
Box 4 Folder 9 La Moscheta, program, 1992 October-November
Box 4 Folder 10 La Moscheta, promotional material,1992 October-November
Box 4 Folder 11 La Moscheta, research, undated
Box 4 Folder 12 La Moscheta, reviews, news clippings,1992 October-November
Box 4 Folder 13 La Moscheta, scripts (2), 1992, undated
    La Moscheta, [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection, no. 3.30u for interview with cast and staff on The Surprise Show], 1992 October
Box 4 Folder 14 Esmoreit, cast lists and contracts, 1993
Box 4 Folder 15 Esmoreit, music, 1993
Box 4 Folder 16 Esmoreit, notes, 1993
Box 4 Folder 17 Esmoreit, programs, 1993
Box 4 Folder 18 Esmoreit, promotional material, 1993
Box 4 Folder 19 Esmoreit, rehearsal schedule and scene breakdown, 1993
Box 4 Folder 20 Esmoreit, reviews, news clippings, 1993
Box 4 Folder 21 Esmoreit, scripts, 1993
Box 4 Folder 28 Esmoreit, photograph (1), incudes Sarah Ahmad, David Andrews, Beth McGreevy, 1993
Box 4 Folder 29 Unidentified photographs (2), undated

Series 2: Administrative Files, 1982-1993, undated

Scope and Contents

Series 2 contains affiliations, information on meetings of the Board of the Directors, articles of incorporation, bylaws, correspondence, finances, fundraising, marketing, and technical resource materials, as well as Christmas cards and letterhead.

Arrangement

Series 2 is arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.

Box 5 Folder 1 Affiliations - Actors Equity, correspondence, forms, booklets, 1988-1993
Box 5 Folder 2 Affiliations - Business Volunteers for the Arts, correspondence, promotional material, 1989-1993
Box 5 Folder 3 Affiliations - C.A.S.T., promotional material, 1988
Box 5 Folder 4 Affiliations - Common Ground, correspondence, promotional material, 1993
Box 5 Folder 5 Affiliations - Illinois Arts Council-Artstour, correspondence, promotional material, 1989-1991
Box 5 Folder 6 Affiliations - League of Chicago Theatres, correspondence, promotional material, 1987-1993
Box 5 Folder 7 Affiliations - Medieval Renaissance Drama Society, newsletters, 1991-1993
Box 5 Folder 8 Affiliations - Medieval Societies (various), promotional material, 1983-1985
Box 5 Folder 9 Affiliations - Saints: Volunteers for the Arts, newsletters, 1991-1993
Box 5 Folder 10 Affiliations - School of the Art Institute - Cooperative Education, contracts, correspondence, time sheets, 1986-1993
Box 5 Folder 11 Affiliations - Societas Liturgica, promotional material, 1985
Box 5 Folder 12 Affiliations - University of Chicago-Continuing Education, course descriptions, handouts, and scripts, undated
Box 8 Folder 9 Articles of incorporation and bylaws, 1985
Box 7 Folder 9 Board of Directors, agendas and memos,
Box 7 Folder 10 Board of Directors, minutes and reports, 1986-1992
Box 7 Folder 11 Board of Directors, officers and mission statement, undated
Box 7 Folder 12 Board of Directors, resignations, 1987-1991
Box 8 Folder 10 Business and technical resources, 1991-1993
Box 8 Folder 11 Christmas cards and stationery, undated
Box 7 Folder 13 Correspondence, incoming, 1982-1994
Box 7 Folder 14 Correspondence, outgoing, 1986-1995
Box 7 Folder 15 Finance - budget, trial balance, 1986
Box 7 Folder 16 Finance - taxes and tax exempt information, 1985-1994
Box 8 Folder 1 Funding - benefits, invitations, 1987-1991
Box 8 Folder 2 Funding - benefits, invitations, 1992
Box 8 Folder 3 Funding - benefits, invitations, notes, 1993
Box 8 Folder 8 Grants - general notes, 1988-1992
Box 8 Folder 4 Grants - Chicago Community Trust, annual reports, guidelines, memos, 1988-1991
Box 8 Folder 5 Grants - CityArts, correspondence, forms, 1990-1993
Box 8 Folder 6 Grants - Illinois Humanities Council, correspondence, grant handbook, 1991-1993
Box 8 Folder 7 Grants - Sara Lee, application, correspondence, 1992
Box 8 Folder 12 Marketing - articles, handouts, notes, 1989-1993
Box 8 Folder 12a Marketing - newsletter, 1991

Series 3: Artistic Files, 1948-1993, undated

Scope and Contents

Series 3 contains casting and costume and props materials, as well as scripts and other documents for potential productions. Also included are in-depth research documents on all topics relevant to producing theater of the Middle Ages and early Renaissance.

Arrangement

Series 3 is arranged first by casting and costume and props materials, then by projects, scripts, and research, and alphabetically within.

Box 5 Folder 13 Audition and casting information, CVs, resumes, headshots, notes, 1991-1993
Box 5 Folder 14 Costume and prop inventories, 1982-1992
Box 6 Folder 1 Projects - notes, undated
Box 6 Folder 2 Projects - The Battle of Maldon and Brunanburh, poems and notes, undated
Box 6 Folder 3 Projects - Dame Siritz, scripts, notes, and programs, 1991
Box 6 Folder 4 Projects - Knight of the Burning Pestle, scene breakdown, undated
Box 6 Folder 5 Projects - Officium Pastorum and Officium Stellae, music and scripts, undated
Box 6 Folder 6 Projects - The Millers Tale, note and scripts, undated
Box 6 Folder 7 Projects - Robin Hood Plays, scripts, undated
Box 6 Folder 8 Projects - Supposes, budget, scene breakdown, script, undated
Box 6 Folder 9 Projects - Volumina Parvula, proposals, 1991
Box 6 Folder 10 Scripts - Auto de la Sibila Casandra, undated
Box 6 Folder 11 Scripts - Calisto and Melebea, undated
Box 6 Folder 12 Scripts - A Certainty for a Doubt by Lope de Vega, undated
Box 6 Folder 13 Scripts - The Deceived by Bandello, undated
Box 6 Folder 14 Scripts - Fulgens and Lucres, 1966
Box 6 Folder 15 Scripts - Hickscorner, 1991
Box 6 Folder 16 Scripts - Impatient Poverty, 1993
Box 6 Folder 17 Scripts - Jack Juggler, 1991
Box 6 Folder 18 Scripts - The Jealous Old Man, undated
Box 6 Folder 19 Scripts - Le Jeu de la Feuillee by Adam de la Halle, undated
Box 7 Folder 1 Scripts - Mankind, 1991
Box 7 Folder 2 Scripts - The Marvelous Pageant, undated
Box 7 Folder 3 Scripts - Plantus Marioe, undated
Box 7 Folder 4 Scripts - Playboy of Seville by Tirso de Molina, undated
Box 7 Folder 5 Scripts - The Pregnant Abbess, Julia and the Siege of Bethulia, and Susanna and the Elders, undated
Box 7 Folder 6 Scripts - Roister Doister, undated
Box 7 Folder 7 Scripts - Sir Thomas More, undated
Box 7 Folder 8 Scripts - The White Dove with the Green Tail by Huynh Quang Hhuong, 1983-1993
Box 8 Folder 13 Research - astronomy, 1992
Box 8 Folder 14 Research - costumes, 1991
Box 8 Folder 15 Research - costume resources, 1988-1991
Box 8 Folder 16 Research - dance, 1989
Box 8 Folder 17 Research - food, 1989
Box 8 Folder 18 Research - liturgy, 1985-1987
Box 8 Folder 19 Research - music, general, undated
Box 8 Folder 20 Research - music, early Renaissance, undated
Box 8 Folder 21 Research - music, English Renaissance, undated
Box 8 Folder 22 Research - Music, Medieval songs, undated
Box 8 Folder 23 Research - visuals and imagery, undated
Box 9 Folder 1 Research - general articles and texts, 1954-1985
Box 9 Folder 2 Research - general articles and texts, 1959-1983
Box 9 Folder 3 Research - notes, undated
Box 9 Folder 4 Research - articles from Medieval Drama in Performance, [Reasearch Opportunities in Renaissance Drama (RORD)?], 1968-1986
Box 9 Folder 5 Research - articles by Cliff Davidson, undated
Box 9 Folder 6 Research - chapters from Craik The Tudor Interlude, 1962
Box 9 Folder 7 Research - chapters from Edwards London Theatre Guide 1576-1642, 1979
Box 9 Folder 8 Research - chapters from O’Gorman The Invention of America, undated
Box 10 Folder 1 Research - articles on music, 1951-1978
Box 10 Folder 2 Research - articles on music, 1948, 1952, 1960, 1963, 1979
Box 10 Folder 3 Research - articles on music, Netherlands, 1983, undated
Box 10 Folder 4 Research - articles on music, Tudor, 1967, 1977, undated
Box 10 Folder 5 Research - bibliographies, 1991, undated
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