James Light typescripts undated

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James Light typescripts undated

http://archives.nypl.org/the/21587

Director James Light (1894-1964) veteran of the Provincetown Players and its offshoot, the Experimental Theatre Company, was best known for his work with Eugene O'Neill, staging the original productions of THE EMPEROR JONES, THE GREAT GOD BROWN, and others. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, James Light came to New York in 1917, after graduating from Ohio State University, intending to pursue additional studies at Columbia. Through a chance meeting with George Cram Cook, artistic director of the Provincetown Players, Light was cast in a small role in Susan Glaspell's play CLOSE THE BOOK. Soon he left acting behind, and by 1920 was an associate director. He staged the premiere production of Eugene O'Neill's THE EMPEROR JONES that year, and later presented O'Neill's ALL GOD's CHILLUN GOT WINGS and THE GREAT GOD BROWN. James Light also directed E. E. Cummings' HIM, Virgil Geddes' THE EARTH BETWEEN, and Paul Green's IN ABRAHAM'S BOSOM. He later served as Dean of the Drama Faculty at The New School for Social Research in New York and taught at Yale University. James Light died in New York City on Feb. 11, 1964, at the age of 69. The two James Light typescripts are titled THE PARADE OF MASKS and A NEW MARIONETTE THEATRE. In his 11 page essay THE PARADE OF MASKS, which is undated, Light writes about the the use of masks in various Provincetown Players productions of Eugene O'Neill's plays. A NEW MARIONETTE THEATRE, also undated, is unfinished, ending mid-sentence on Page 7.

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The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.

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SNAC Resource ID: 6317838

Related Entities

There are 3 Entities related to this resource.

O'Neill, Eugene, 1888-1953

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6930vbg (person)

A biographical timeline is provided in the Eugene O'Neill Papers (YCAL MSS 123). From the guide to the Eugene O'Neill collection, 1912-1993, (Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library) American playwright. From the description of Papers, 1913-1986, 1913-1950 (bulk). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155490040 From the description of Papers of Eugene O'Neill [manuscript], 1915-1940. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647810476 From the de...

Provincetown Players

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6xw8swc (corporateBody)

The Provincetown Players was a theatrical organization founded in 1915 in Provincetown, Massachusetts, by a group of writers and artists for the purpose of producing new and experimental plays. It ceased productions in Dec. 1929. From the description of Provincetown Players correspondence, 1912-1924. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 612765320 From the guide to the Provincetown Players correspondence, 1912-1924., (Harvard Theatre Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Li...

Light, James

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6zh9qv0 (person)

Director James Light (1894-1964) veteran of the Provincetown Players and its offshoot, the Experimental Theatre Company, was best known for his work with Eugene O'Neill, staging the original productions of THE EMPEROR JONES, THE GREAT GOD BROWN, and others. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, James Light came to New York in 1917, after graduating from Ohio State University, intending to pursue additional studies at Columbia. Through a chance meeting with George Cram Cook, artistic dir...