Helburn, Theresa, 1887-1959

Variant names

Hide Profile

Theresa Helburn was born in New York City in 1887, graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1908, and had an early career as a writer of essays, poetry, and plays, and as a theatre critic for The Nation. In 1919, she joined the Theatre Guild in New York City as a play reader. Within a few years she was co-administrative director with Lawrence Langner. As a writer, critic, director, and administrator, Theresa Helburn was a major force in the development of twentieth-century American theatre. She was married to the writer and teacher John Baker "Oliver" Opdycke from 1921 until his death in 1958. Helburn died in 1959.

From the description of Theresa Helburn papers, 1903-1958. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702158109

Theresa Helburn was born in New York City in 1887, graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1908, and had an early career as a writer of essays, poetry, and plays, and as a theatre critic for the The Nation . In 1919, she joined the Theatre Guild in New York City as a play reader. Within a few years she was co-administrative director with Lawrence Langner. As a writer, critic, director, and administrator, Theresa Helburn was a major force in the development of twentieth-century American theatre. She was married to the writer and teacher John Baker Opdycke (Oliver to his friends) from 1921 until his death in 1958. Helburn died in 1959.

From the guide to the Theresa Helburn papers, 1903-1958, (Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library)

Helburn was co-director of the Theatre Guild, based in New York City.

From the description of Correspondence with Franz Werfel, 1943. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 155863437

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Theresa Helburn papers, 1903-1958 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Kauser, Alice, ca. 1872-1945. Papers of Alice Kauser, ca. 1895-1940 (inclusive). Houghton Library
creatorOf Aldrich, Larry L. Correspondence between Theresa Helburn and Larry Aldrich, 1957-1958. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Dransfield, Jane, 1875-1957. Jane Dransfield papers, 1917-1945, bulk (1920-1941). New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Elisabeth Fraser papers, 1920-1999 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Lucille Lortel papers The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Lawrence Langner papers, 1915-1962 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Sara Greenspan Theatre Guild files, 1925-1969 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Elmer Rice letters from various correspondents, 1915-1967. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn John Mason Brown papers, 1922-1967. Houghton Library
creatorOf Helburn, Theresa, 1887-1959. Theresa Helburn papers, 1903-1958. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Greenspan, Sara, 1894-1968. Sara Greenspan Theatre Guild files, 1925-1969. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Helburn, Theresa, 1887-1959. Correspondence with Franz Werfel, 1943. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Rice, Elmer, 1892-1967,. Elmer Rice letters from various correspondents, 1915-1967. Houghton Library
referencedIn Abel, Walter, 1898-1987. Walter C. Abel and family papers, 1887-1963. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Eugene O'Neill papers, 1872-1970, 1930-1959 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Adamic, Louis, 1899-1951,. Letters to Alfred Kreymborg [manuscript], 1921-1956. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Helburn, Theresa, 1887-1959. Complete working script of A hero is born; an extravaganza in two acts, by Theresa Helburn. Based on a story by Andrew Lang. Produced at the "Adelphi" Theatre, N.Y.C. ... October 1, 1937 ... Manuscript assembled by Elsa Ryan ... New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Helburn, Theresa, 1887-1959. Denbigh. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn The Railroad hour, radio program [sound recording], 1948-1954 The New York Public Library. Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound.
referencedIn Clifford Odets papers, 1926-1963 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Baker, George Pierce, 1866-1935. Papers of George Pierce Baker, 1882-1926 (inclusive), 1890-1926 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Opdycke, John B. (John Baker), 1878-1956. Autograph note signed John B. Opdycke to: Hugh Fullerton November 19, 1925. Wellesley College
creatorOf Langner, Lawrence, 1890-1962. Letters to Doris Humphrey, 1944 and 1947. (5 items). New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Adams, Edward C. L. (Edward Clarkson Leverett), 1876-1946. Edward C.L. Adams papers, 1926-1931. University of South Carolina, System Library Service, University Libraries
referencedIn Miscellaneous theatrical papers Houghton Library
referencedIn Paul Muni collection, 1908-1980 (inclusive), 1932-1959 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Theatre Guild. Correspondence with Alma Mahler and Franz Werfel, 1938-1949. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Abel, Walter, 1898-1987. person
correspondedWith Adams, Edward C. L. (Edward Clarkson Leverett), 1876-1946. person
associatedWith Aldrich, Larry L. person
associatedWith Baker, George Pierce, 1866-1935. person
correspondedWith Brown, John Mason, 1900-1969 person
associatedWith Dransfield, Jane, 1875-1957. person
associatedWith Fraser, Elisabeth person
correspondedWith Greenspan, Sara, 1894-1968. person
associatedWith Kauser, Alice, ca. 1872-1945. person
associatedWith Lang, Andrew, 1844-1912. person
associatedWith Langner, Lawrence, 1890-1962. person
associatedWith Lortel, Lucille person
associatedWith Odets, Clifford, 1906-1963 person
associatedWith O'Neill, Eugene, 1888-1953. person
associatedWith Opdycke, John B. (John Baker), 1878-1956. person
associatedWith Railroad Hour Radio Program corporateBody
associatedWith Rice, Elmer, 1892-1967, person
associatedWith Ryan, Elsa. person
associatedWith Saddler, Donald person
associatedWith Theatre Guild. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Works Progress Administration (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
Subject
Theater
Theater
Authors, American
American drama
Prompt-book
Theatrical producers and directors
Theatrical producers and directors
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1887-01-12

Death 1959-08-18

Americans

English

Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6gf1k59

Ark ID: w6gf1k59

SNAC ID: 50612257