| Dates: | 1983-1987 |
| Size: | 3 linear feet in 5 boxes, includes 21 photographs, plus 2 oversize folders |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605 |
| Collection Number: | spe.ctc-sft |
| Immediate source of acquisition: | Donated by Terry McCabe, former Artistic Director of the Stormfield Theatre, in 1990 and 2003 |
| Conditions governing use: | Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection |
| 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. |
| Preferred citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Stormfield Theatre Records [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library |
| Finding aid author: | Original author unknown. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Sarah Zimmerman, 2021 |
Abstract
In its five-season history, Stormfield produced nine world premieres and received numerous Joseph Jefferson Award citations. The collection consists of production files that include programs, promotional material, scripts and prompt scripts, reviews and clippings.
Biographical/Historical
Stormfield Theatre was founded by Terry McCabe in spring 1983. Originally located above a florist at 6443 N. Sheridan Road, Stormfield shared the space with another non-Equity company, the Commons Theatre. Stormfield's first production, Sixty Feet, Six Inches, was an original script by Chicago playwright James Harper. Setting the pattern for many of the shows that followed, Sixty Feet, Six Inches turned a profit as well as received rave reviews and a Jeff Citation Award.
In the five seasons that followed, Stormfield produced nine world premieres and received numerous Jeff Citations. Productions included original scripts such as Ross Lehman's Sons of Corl Gap, and his musical adaptation of The Gift of the Magi; John Logan's Never the Sinner; as well as classics by Beckett and Stanislaw Witkiewicz. In addition to Terry McCabe, Stormfield also featured some of Chicago's top directors: Tom Mula, Practical Theatre veteran Paul Barrosse and Body Politic's James O'Reilly each tried their hand. In 1986, after moving to the Edgewater Theater Center in the Edgewater Presbyterian Church (1020 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue), Stormfield established a Playwrights Ensemble consisting of John Logan, Clifton Campbell and Ross Lehman. Although the Ensemble did not restrict the theater exclusively to these authors, presenting their plays became one of Stormfield's principle activities. In 1987, Stormfield's production of Logan's Hauptmann, starring Denis O'Hare, was invited to perform at the Edinburgh International Arts Festival, where it won a Fringe First Award. Stormfield's final production was a collaborative mounting with Pegasus Players of John Logan's Snow.
Stormfield disbanded in January 1988. McCabe stressed that the closing was due to a conviction that significant growth was not possible for a small non-Equity theater in Chicago. Stormfield left no financial deficit; remaining cash assets paid the season's debt and equipment was distributed to other non-for-profit theaters.
Scope and Contents
The Stormfield Theatre Records include programs, promotional material, scripts, reviews and clippings, posters, photographs and videotapes for productions mounted by the Stormfield Theatre, as well as administrative and financial records. Significant productions represented include Hauptmann,Never the Sinner and Snow by John Logan.
Arrangement
The records of the Stormfield Theatre have been arranged into three series.
- Series 1: Production History Files, 1983-1987
- Series 2: Administrative Files, 1983-1987
- Series 3: Financial Files, 1983-1987
Separated Materials
Videotapes have been removed to the Chicago Theater Videotape Collection
Related Materials
- CityLit Theatre Records
- Ellen E. Jones Collection
- Pegasus Players Records
Subject Headings
- Stormfield Theatre – Archives.
- Logan, John.
- Theaters – Illinois – Chicago.
Collection Inventory
Series 1: Production History Files, 1983-1987
Scope and Contents
Series 1 consists of programs, press releases, scripts and other materials relating to individual productions, arranged chronologically by season. Also included are oversize posters and photographs, which while separated physically from the manuscript material, are noted with their respective productions.
Arrangement
Files are arranged chronologically by production.
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | General. Clippings, promotional material, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Sixty Feet, Six Inches by James Harper. [World Premiere]. Directed by Terry McCabe, sets by Roy Hine, lights by Ron Greene, costumes by Kerry Fleming. Light plot, 1983 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Sixty Feet, Six Inches- Program, 1983 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Sixty Feet, Six Inches- Promotional material, 1983 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Sixty Feet, Six Inches- Prompt script marked with light and sound cues, some line cuts and changes, 1983 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Sixty Feet, Six Inches- Reviews and clippings, 1983 |
| Box 5 | Photograph 1.1 | Sixty Feet, Six Inches- 1 photograph, 1983 |
| Oversize Folder 1 | Sixty Feet, Six Inches- Poster, 1983 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | My Sister in this House by Wendy Kesselman. [Chicago Premiere]. Directed by Tom Mula, sets and lights by Roy Hine, costumes by Marcia Le Boeuf. Program, 1983 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | My Sister in this House- Promotional material, 1983 |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | My Sister in this House- Reviews and clippings, 1983 |
| Box 5 | Photograph 1.2-1.4 | My Sister in this House- 3 photographs, 1983 |
| Oversize Folder 1 | My Sister in this House- Poster, 1983 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | Sons of Corl Gap by Ross Lehman. [World Premiere]. Directed by Terry McCabe, designed by Chris Matteky. Program, 1984 |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | Sons of Corl Gap- Promotional material, 1984 |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | Sons of Corl Gap- Prompt script; marked with line cuts and changes, 1984 |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | Sons of Corl Gap- Reviews and clippings, 1984 |
| Box 5 | Photograph 1.5-1.6 | Sons of Corl Gap- 2 photographs, 1984 |
| Oversize Folder 1 | Sons of Corl Gap- Poster, 1984 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | The Madman and the Nun by Stanislaw Witkiewicz, translated by Monique Barwicki. [World Premiere]. Directed by Terry McCabe, design concept by Jeff Bauer. Programs, 1984 |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | The Madman and the Nun- Promotional material, 1984 |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | The Madman and the Nun- Prompt script, 1984 |
| Box 1 | Folder 17 | The Madman and the Nun- Reviews and clippings, 1984 |
| Box 5 | Photograph 1.7-1.10 | The Madman and the Nun- 4 photographs, 1984 |
| Oversize Folder 1 | The Madman and the Nun- Poster, 1984 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 18 | Nativos by Clifton Campbell. [World Premiere]. Directed by Terry McCabe, sets by Matthew Owens and Donna Rae Durnan, lights by James Glossman, costumes by Chris Matteky. Program, 1985 |
| Box 1 | Folder 19 | Nativos- Promotional material, 1985 |
| Box 1 | Folder 20 | Nativos- Prompt script, 1985 |
| Box 1 | Folder 21 | Nativos- Reviews and clippings, 1985 |
| Box 5 | Photograph 1.11 | Nativos- 1 contact sheet, 1985 |
| Oversize Folder 1 | Nativos- Poster, 1985 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 22 | Porchlife : Sons of Corl Gap by Ross Lehman and Elmo and June Confront Issues Much Larger than Themselves by Paul Barrosse. Directed by Terry McCabe and Paul Barrosse, set designs by Tom Larson, lighting and costume design by Chris Matteky. Program, 1985 |
| Box 1 | Folder 23 | Porchlife : Sons of Corl Gap and Elmo and June Confront Issues Much Larger than Themselves- Promotional material, 1985 |
| Box 1 | Folder 24 | Porchlife : Sons of Corl Gap and Elmo and June Confront Issues Much Larger than Themselves- Reviews and clippings, 1985 |
| Box 1 | Folder 25 | Porchlife : Sons of Corl Gap and Elmo and June Confront Issues Much Larger than Themselves- Script, unmarked, 1985 |
| Box 5 | Photograph 1.12-1.13 | Porchlife : Sons of Corl Gap and Elmo and June Confront Issues Much Larger than Themselves- 2 photographs, 1985 |
| Oversize Folder 1 | Porchlife : Sons of Corl Gap and Elmo and June Confront Issues Much Larger than Themselves- Poster, 1985 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 26 | Never the Sinner by John Logan. Directed by Terry McCabe, sets by Russ Borski, lights by Russ Borski and Mary Quinlan, costumes by Glenn Billings. Program, 1985 |
| Box 1 | Folder 27 | Never the Sinner- Promotional material, 1985 |
| Box 1 | Folder 28 | Never the Sinner- Reviews and clippings, 1985 |
| Box 1 | Folder 29 | Never the Sinner- Script, unmarked, 1985 |
| Oversize Folder 1 | Never the Sinner- Poster, 1985 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | The Gift of the Magi by Ross Lehman and Mark Weston. [World Premiere]. Directed by Terry McCabe, sets by Roy Hine, lights by Mary Quinlan, costumes by Kerry Fleming. Program, 1985-1986 |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | The Gift of the Magi- Promotional material, 1985-1986 |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | The Gift of the Magi- Reviews and clippings, 1985-1986 |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 | The Gift of the Magi- Script, marked with line cuts and changes [Laura Donnelly's (Della) copy], 1985-1986 |
| Box 5 | Photograph 1.14-1.16 | The Gift of the Magi- 2 photographs, 1 contact sheet, 1985-1986 |
| Oversize Folder 1 | The Gift of the Magi- Poster, 1985-1986 | |
| The Gift of the Magi by Ross Lehman and Mark Weston. Directed by Terry McCabe, sets by Roy Hine, lights by Mary Quinlan, costumes by Karry Fleming, with Jill Reznick, Dan Crowley, Laura Donnelly, Sean Baldwin and Kingsley Day. Video recording of a live performance. [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection #1.4] 1985-1986 | ||
| Box 2 | Folder 5 | The Future adapted and directed by Paul Edwards. Designed by W.G. Campbell. Program, 1986 |
| Box 2 | Folder 6 | The Future- Promotional material, 1986 |
| Box 2 | Folder 7 | The Future- Reviews and clippings, 1986 |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 | The Future- Script marked with light cues, line cuts and changes, 1986 |
| Box 5 | Photograph 1.17-1.18 | The Future- 2 photographs, 1986 |
| Oversize Folder 1 | The Future- Poster, 1986 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 9 | Krapp's Last Tape and Theatre II by Samuel Beckett. Directed by James O'Reilly, designed by Terry McCabe. Theatre II directed by Terry McCabe. Program, 1986 |
| Box 2 | Folder 10 | Krapp's Last Tape and Theatre II- Reviews and clippings, 1986 |
| Box 5 | Photograph 1.19 | Krapp's Last Tape and Theatre II- 1 contact sheet, 1986 |
| Oversize Folder 1 | Krapp's Last Tape and Theatre II- Poster, 1986 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 11 | Hauptmann by John Logan. [World Premiere]. Directed by Terry McCabe, sets by Christopher Allen, lights by Ellen E. Jones, costumes by Jerry Stauduhar. Program, 1986 |
| Box 2 | Folder 12 | Hauptmann- Promotional material, 1986 |
| Box 2 | Folder 13 | Hauptmann- Reviews and clippings, 1986 |
| Box 2 | Folder 14 | Hauptmann- Script - marked with cuts and line changes, 1986 |
| Box 5 | Photograph 1.20-1.20a | Hauptmann- 2 photographs (negative), 1986 September 13 |
| Oversize Folder 1 | Hauptmann- Poster, 1986 | |
| Hauptmann by John Logan. Directed by Terry McCabe, sets by Christopher Allen, lights by Ellen E. Jones, costumes by Jerry Stauduhar, with Denis O’Hare, Layne Beamer, Donna Powers, Wendy Lueker, Nicholas Kusenko, Jerry Bloom and Gary Brichetto. Video recording of a live performance. [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection #1.41], 1986 | ||
| Box 2 | Folder 15 | The Gift of the Magi by Ross Lehman and Mark Weston. Directed by Terry McCabe and Ross Lehman, sets by Roy Hine, lights by Mary Quinlan and Terry McCabe, costumes by Kerry Fleming. Program, 1986 |
| Box 2 | Folder 16 | The Gift of the Magi- Promotional material, 1986 |
| Box 2 | Folder 17 | The Gift of the Magi- Prompt script - marked with light cues, 1986 |
| Box 2 | Folder 18 | The Gift of the Magi- Reviews and clippings, 1986 |
| Oversize Folder 1 | The Gift of the Magi- Poster, 1986 | |
| The Gift of the Magi by Ross Lehman and Mark Weston. Directed by Terry McCabe and Ross Lehman, sets by Roy Hine, lights by Mary Quinlan and Terry McCabe, costumes by Kerry Fleming, with Lynn Baber, Brian-Mark Conover, Stephanie Galfano, Rick Boynton and Rick Boynton. Video recording of a live performance. [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection #1.6], 1986 | ||
| Box 2 | Folder 19 | Emerald Tree Boa by Clifton Campbell. Directed by Terry McCabe, sets by Eve Cauley. lights by Ellen Jones, costumes by Laura Sandberg. Program, 1987 |
| Box 2 | Folder 20 | Emerald Tree Boa- Promotional material, 1987 |
| Box 2 | Folder 21 | Emerald Tree Boa- Reviews and clippings, 1987 |
| Box 2 | Folder 22 | Emerald Tree Boa- Script, 1987 |
| Box 5 | Photograph 1.21 | Emerald Tree Boa- 1 photograph, 1987 |
| Oversize Folder 1 | Emerald Tree Boa- Poster, 1987 | |
| Oversize Folder 2 | Emerald Tree Boa- Set design, 1987 | |
| Emerald Tree Boa by Clifton Campbell. Directed by Terry McCabe, sets by Eve Cauley, lights by Ellen E. Jones, costumes by Lynn Sandberg, with Ellyn Duncan, Edward Blatchford, Karl Poffhoff, James Schneider, Lynda Foxman and Ellen Kohrman. Video recording of a live performance. [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection #1.7], 1987 | ||
| Box 2 | Folder 23 | Hauptmann by John Logan. Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Reviews and clippings, 1987 |
| Box 2 | Folder 24 | Snow by John Logan. [World Premiere]. A joint production between Pegasus Players and Stormfield. Directed by Terry McCabe, sets by Eve Cauley, lights by Peter Gottlieb, costumes by Jeffrey Kelly, sound by Terry McCabe and John Logan. Program, 1987 |
| Box 2 | Folder 25 | Snow- Promotional material, 1987 |
| Box 2 | Folder 26 | Snow- Reviews and clippings, 1987 |
| Box 2 | Folder 27 | Snow- Script - marked 'unproofed' working copy, 1987 |
| Snow by John Logan. A joint production between Pegasus Players and Stormfield. Directed by Terry McCabe, sets by Eve Cauley, lights by, Peter Gottlieb, costumes by Jeffrey Kelly, sound by Terry McCabe and John Logan, with Jerry Bloom, Thomas Carroll, Morgan McCabe, Loren Rubin, Donna Powers, Ellen Kohrman, Miranda Danilorr, Stphanie Galfano, Randy Colborn, Gary Brichetto, Nicholas Kusenko, Ted Kamp, Chip Hess, Craig Bennett, Amy Jagodnik, Roger Lindsay and Bonnie Lucas. Video recording of a live performance. [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection #1.10], 1987 |
Series 2: Administrative Records, 1983-1987
Scope and Contents
This series includes Board of Director records, articles of incorporation and materials relating to artistic associations and memberships.
Arrangement
Files are arranged by topic.
| Box 3 | Folder 1 | Board of Directors- Membership lists, 1983-1984 |
| Box 3 | Folder 2 | Board of Directors- Meetings minutes and agendas, 1983-1987 |
| Box 3 | Folder 3 | Incorporation, State and Federal Records- Charitable Organization Laws and Registration Statement, 1983 |
| Box 3 | Folder 4 | Incorporation, State and Federal Records- Articles of Incorporation, 1983 |
| Box 3 | Folder 5 | Incorporation, State and Federal Records- Not-for-Profit Status, 1983-1986 |
| Box 3 | Folder 6 | Incorporation, State and Federal Records- State of Illinois Employment forms, 1983-1987 |
| Box 3 | Folder 7 | Incorporation, State and Federal Records- IRS Federal Tax Exemption forms, 1983-1987 |
| Box 3 | Folder 8 | Associations- League of Chicago Theatres Retreat, 1987 |
| Box 3 | Folder 9 | Associations- Chicago Artists Abroad press releases, 1987 |
| Box 3 | Folder 10 | Associations- Pegasus Players co-production of Snow, 1987-1988 |
| Box 3 | Folder 11 | Promotional Materials- Chicago Reader display ads, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 12 | Promotional Materials- Stormfield Theatre brochure, 1983 |
Series 3: Financial Records, 1983-1987
Scope and Contents
This series includes box office reports, budgets and charitable contributions.
Arrangement
Files are arranged by topic.
| Box 3 | Folder 13 | Box office reports- Sixty Feet, Six Inches by James Harper, 1983 |
| Box 3 | Folder 14 | Box office reports- My Sister in this House by Wendy Kesselman, 1984 |
| Box 3 | Folder 15 | Box office reports- Sons of Corl Gap by Ross Lehman, 1984 |
| Box 3 | Folder 16 | Box office reports- The Madman and the Nun by Stanislaw Witkiewicz, translated by Monique Barwicki, 1984 |
| Box 3 | Folder 17 | Reservation sheets- The Madman and the Nun, 1984 |
| Box 3 | Folder 18 | Box office reports- The Gift of the Magi by Ross Lehman and Mark Weston. 1985-1986 |
| Box 4 | Folder 1 | Ticket Sales and Concessions- Ticketron sales, 1984-1985 |
| Box 4 | Folder 2 | Ticket Sales and Concessions- Ticketron sales, 1986 |
| Box 4 | Folder 3 | Ticket Sales and Concessions- Miscellaneous ticket stubs, 1984-1986 |
| Box 4 | Folder 4 | Ticket Sales and Concessions- Theatre concession records, 1985-1986 |
| Box 4 | Folder 5 | Budgets and Financial Information- Budgets, 1983-1984 |
| Box 4 | Folder 6 | Budgets and Financial Information- Budgets, 1985-1986 |
| Box 4 | Folder 7 | Budgets and Financial Information- Chart of Accounts, 1983 |
| Box 4 | Folder 8 | Budgets and Financial Information- Chart of Accounts, 1985 November 15 |
| Box 4 | Folder 9 | Budgets and Financial Information- Income/Expense records, 1983 |
| Box 4 | Folder 10 | Budgets and Financial Information- Financial Statements, 1985 October 31 |
| Box 4 | Folder 11 | Budgets and Financial Information- Financial Statements, 1985 November 31 |
| Box 4 | Folder 12 | Charitable Contributions to and by Stormfield Theatre- Fundraiser records, 1983 |
| Box 4 | Folder 13 | Charitable Contributions to and by Stormfield Theatre- Donor List, 1983-1985 |
| Box 4 | Folder 14 | Charitable Contributions to and by Stormfield Theatre- Contributions by Stormfield Theatre to area groups, 1983-1987 |
| Box 4 | Folder 15 | Charitable Contributions to and by Stormfield Theatre- Grants, 1984-1987 |
