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Al Carmines papers

Special Collections and Archives

Al Carmines papers

Special Collections and Archives

Al Carmines papers

Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Title: Al Carmines papers
Inclusive Date(s): 1969-1989
Author: Finding aid prepared by Philip Shackelford
Creation: Finding aid encoded by Philip Shackelford using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2013
Origination: Carmines, Al
Extent: 2.00 cubic feet (2 records storage boxes)
Physical Location: 11th floor
Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0150
Abstract: Al Carmines was an instrumental figure in the development of Off Off-Broadway through his work at the Judson Poets' Theater at Judson Memorial Church in New York City. Although primarily a composer, Carmines also performed, sang, and provided musical accompaniment for many of his plays and oratorios. The Al Carmines papers consist of the scripts for many of his plays, oratorios, and operas.
Language(s): The records are in English

Biography of Al Carmines

Al Carmines was born in Hampton, Virginia, on July 25, 1936. The son of a boat captain and a teacher, Carmines grew up studying the piano and performing at civic, school, and other social events. By the time Carmines finished high school he could have enjoyed a full scholarship to any music school in the country, but had grown tired of playing the piano. He decided to simply let music remain a pastime and instead went to Swarthmore College, majoring in English and philosophy. Still unsure of what to do, Carmines attended Union Theological Seminary and was ordained a Baptist minister in 1961. Soon after graduation Carmines heard of an opportunity for a young minister to create a theater group at Judson Memorial Church in New York. He applied, was accepted, and later that year established the Judson Poets' Theater, thus beginning his career as a musician and composer. Al Carmines died on August 9, 2005, in New York.

Scope and Content

The Al Carmines papers span the years 1969-1989. They are comprised of scripts from his plays, oratorios, and operas during this period. Also included are audio recordings of select productions on audio cassette, as well as transcriptions of several interviews with actors, musicians, and production personnel concerning their associations with Al Carmines.

Statement of Arrangement

This collection is processed at the file level and arranged alphabetically by title of play, oratorio, or opera. Audio recordings of select productions on audio cassette have been foldered and placed in continuing succession after the scripts. Interviews with various actors, musicians, and production personnel concerning Al Carmines are placed at the end of the collection.

Related Material

Additional information concerning Al Carmines can be found in the Judith Murphy papers and the Dennis Hearn papers.

Restrictions on Use

Kent State University does not own the copyright to the materials in this collection.

Preferred Citation

Al Carmines papers. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Acquisition Information

The materials in this collection were gathered by Jay Fields for his dissertation on Al Carmines in the Kent State University School of Speech. These research files were later deposited in Special Collections and Archives.

Subject Headings
The following subjects are found in this collection:

Subjects:
Carmines, Al -- Archives
Off Off-Broadway theater -- History -- 20th century
Musical theater -- New York (State) -- New York -- History
Musicals -- United States -- History
Theater -- New York (State) -- New York
Persons:
Guilliatt, Lee
Borden, Essie
Herget, Robert
Kornfeld, Lawrence
Kurnitz, Julie
Mailman, Bruce
McDowell, John Herbert
Moody, Howard, 1921-2012
Pursley, Joan Muyskens
Poland, Albert
Siff, Ira
Tice, David
Wagoner, Dan
Johnson, David
Kreitzberg, Danny
Vaughan, David, 1924-
Organizations/Corporations:
Judson Poets' Theater
Judson Memorial Church (New York, N.Y.)
Functions:
Musicals -- Writing and publishing
Occupations:
Composers
Gay composers
Clergy
Material Types:
Audiovisual materials
Audiocassettes
Interviews
Plays
Librettos
Photocopies



Detailed Description of the Collection

Unless otherwise noted, the collection is comprised of photocopies of original manuscripts and audio recordings of select productions on audio cassette. Interviews of various actors, musicians, and production personnel concerning Al Carmines have been placed at the end of the collection.
Box 1 / Folder 1
About Time, 1970
Box 1 / Folder 2
Camp Meeting: 1840, 1976
Box 1 / Folder 3
Christmas Rappings, 1969
Box 1 / Folder 4
Christmas '74, 1974
Box 1 / Folder 5
The Faggot, 1973
Box 1 / Folder 6
The Future, 1974
Box 1 / Folder 7
Joan, 1971
Box 1 / Folder 8
The Journey of Snow White, 1971
Box 1 / Folder 9
The Life Of A Man, 1972
Box 1 / Folder 10
A Look At The Fifties, 1972
Box 1 / Folder 11
The Playful Tyrant, 1970
Box 1 / Folder 12
Religion, 1973
Box 1 / Folder 13
The Urban Crisis, 1969
Box 1 / Folder 14
Why I Love New York, 1975
Box 1 / Folder 15
Wanted, 1987
Scope and Content
This folder contains correspondence and promotional material regarding the musical Wanted.
Box 1 / Folder 16
Elizabeth Takes Her Leave, 1988
Physical Description: Audio Cassette
Box 1 / Folder 17
Sing Questions: A Celebration of the Theatre Music of William Turner, 1987
Physical Description: Audio Cassette
Box 1 / Folder 18
A Centennial Tribute to Irving Berlin, 1988
Physical Description: Audio Cassette
Box 1 / Folder 19
Christmas Rappings, 1988
Physical Description: Audio Cassette
Box 1 / Folder 20
Restaurant Cabaret, 1989
Physical Description: Audio Cassette
Box 1 / Folder 21
Performances from Jan Wallman's Late Show, 1988
Physical Description: Audio Cassette
Box 2 / Folder 1
Interview: Emily Adams, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 2
Interview: Theo Barnes, undated
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 3
Interview: Reathal Bean, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 4
Interview: Arlene Carmen, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 5
Interview: David Epstein, undated
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 6
Interview: ‪Lee Guilliatt‬ and Essie Borden, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 7
Interview: Bob Herget, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 8
Interview: David Johnson, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 9
Interview: Larry Kornfeld, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 10
Interview: Danny Kreitzberg, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 11
Interview: Julie Kurnitz, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 12
Interview: Bruce Mailman, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 13
Interview: John Herbert McDowell, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 14
Interview: Howard Moody, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 15
Interview: Joan Muyskens, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 16
Interview: Albert Poland, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 17
Interview: Ira Siff, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 18
Interview: David Tice, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 19
Interview: David Vaughan, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 20
Interview: Dan Wagoner, 1977
Scope and Content
Includes a recording of the interview on audio cassette.
Box 2 / Folder 21
Miscellaneous, 1978, 2005
Scope and Content
This folder contains a reflection on the life of Al Carmines, correspondence concerning Jay Fields' dissertation, and a contact list of the individuals reached for interviews regarding Al Carmines.
Box 2 / Folder 22
Interview, Al Carmines, 1977
Scope and Content
There is no hard copy transcript for this interview. Instead it is recorded on two audio cassettes.