Sub-Group I: Professional Papers

Sub-Group II: Davidson as a Student

Sub-Group III: Plays/Theater (and related material)

Sub-Group IV: Books & Pamphlets

Sub-Group V: Newspaper Clippings/Theater Productions

Sub-Group VI: Personal / Correspondence / Memorabilia

Sub-Group VII: Photos /Plaques /Awards /Frames

Sub-Group I: Professional Papers                                                                                            ½ bx; .25 cu. ft.
Arrangement: Alphabetical

Sub-Group I contain letters that were written to or by Prof. Joseph Davidson. There are congratulatory letters regarding plays that were directed by Jo Davidson; there are thank-you letters for his participation and/or contributions to a wealth of organizations and schools; and correspondence from noted alumni, such as Irwin Shaw. In addition, there are students flyers and handbills, requests for more information, roll books, teaching notes and a lesson plan book. Looking through the roll books, it is interesting to note that Professor Davidson was a particularly tough grader with most students earning “C”s. Some materials here describe the best way to teach Freshman Speech courses.

Sub-Group II: Davidson as a Student                                                                                  1 ½ bxs.; .75 cu. ft.
Arrangement: Alphabetical

This Sub-Group contains manuscript notes taken during Joseph Davidson’s undergraduate education at Boston University. His Research Thesis Notebook, along with his New York University Doctoral Dissertation proposal, and other notes taken during his graduate school career are on view here.

Sub-Group III: Plays/Theater (and related material)                                                             3 bxs; 1.5 cu ft
Arrangement: Alphabetical

Here there are theatre plays, playbills, programs, prompt books and material on the Yiddish Theatre, as well as correspondence from the college on establishing a humanities course of the History of Yiddish Theatre spearheaded by Jo Davidson. This grouping emphasizes and makes many references to the importance of Yiddish Theatre and/or the distinct nature of being Jewish. Jo Davidson adapted many plays of the Yiddish Theatre, Including “The Golem” and “The Dybbuk” for student plays. Prompt books contain notes which revised the order of characters or gave direction and clarity to the meaning of the story.

Sub-Group IV: Books & Pamphlets                                                                                              1 bx.; .5 cu. ft.
Arrangement: Alphabetical

There are books of published plays including Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma” and Shakespeare’s “The Twelfth Night” as well as books documenting the life of President Abe Lincoln. The book “The Photographs of Abraham Lincoln” has a vintage stamp in it demonstrating Davidson’s fascination with the President and the use of his image in several plays that he directed. Along with the book “Job the Hunchback” by Yonathan Kuperberg, the author personally writes Jo Davidson asking to make the book into a play.

Sub-Group V: Newspaper Clippings/Theater Productions                                                      ½ bx., .25 cu ft
Arrangement: Alphabetical

Items here include news clippings related to outside theatre productions and a few folders that pertain to Jo Davidson’s career, specifically clippings from reviews of plays and describing Davidson’s career and interests. There are also playbills and programs from shows that Davidson attended.

Sub-Group VI: Personal / Correspondence / Memorabilia                                              3 ½ bx; 1.75 cu. ft.
Arrangement: Alphabetical

There are cards here detailing set designs of plays that took place in the early 20th century (specifically between 1934 through 1938) with some indicating the significance of the set. It was important to have these cards as the set designs can help convey the message of the play.

Sub-Group VII: Photos /Plaques /Awards /Frames                                                                 1 bx.; .5 cu. ft.
Arrangement: Alphabetical

There are photographs and slides of the Brooklyn College Players in various plays. There are framed photos that warrant special notice, one of which is a flyer of a play directed by Davidson, “Winterset,” and picture of Davidson and possibly a faculty member, as well as a photo of actors that are in costume – all of which capture his passion for theatre.

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