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University Regent Theatre Collection

An inventory of its collection at the Syracuse University Archives


Finding aid created by: Anna Smallwood
Date: 2016

Historical Note

Photograph of Univeristy Regent Theatre in the 1960s

University Regent Theatre (Regent Theatre), originally built in 1919, held performances, films and other cultural events. Syracuse University purchased the complex, located on 820 W. Genesee Street, from Kallet Realty Company in 1958. When the building was acquired, it was administered by University College, Syracuse University's adult education division, to host theater shows, films, lectures and other cultural events. In 1963, construction began to remodel the interior of Regent Theatre and included the enlargement of the depth of the stage. Additionally, properties of the College Inn were purchased to add more parking for theatre patrons. By 1965, a 200-seat experimental theatre as well as more storage and dressing rooms were added.

From 1958 until 1969, when University Regent Theatre was operated by University College, the Theatre was host to all kinds of events and series. The Evening Hootenanny Series, for example, consisted of folk-singing programs. Other series include the Celebrity Series Program, which hosted a well-known actor or musician who performed or spoke, and the Tuesday Evening Film Series. The World Adventure Tour introduced film lectures depicting places from around the world. In addition, Regent Theatre was home to collaborative children's theater and programs. People from the community also frequented the programs and shows at Regent Theatre, and galleries inside held exhibitions of work from local artists.

By 1974, Regent Theatre changed to Syracuse Stage, an organization that still continues to offer shows and performances at the original site. When John Dana Archbold made a large contribution in 1980 to renovate the old Regent Theatre, it was renamed the Archbold Theatre.

Scope and Content Note

The University Regent Theatre Collection contains printed material, such as tickets, pamphlets, brochures and calendars from the events that took place at the University Regent Theatre. Materials range from 1958, when the Theatre opened, until 1969, when University Regent Theatre's governing body changed from University College to the Drama Department.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

Syracuse University Archives holds a clippings file on University Regent Theatre.

Other related collections include the Gerald F. Reidenbaugh Papers, Sawyer Falk Papers, and the Boar's Head Collection.

Selected Search Terms

Names

Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.
University Regent Theatre (Syracuse, N.Y.)
University Regent Theatre.

Subjects

Dance.
Drama.
Film.
Theater -- New York (State) -- Syracuse.
Higher education.

Types of Material

Programs (documents)

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

University Regent Theatre Collection,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

The Archives does not have information about the acquisition of the University Regent Theatre Collection.

Processing Information

Materials in this collection were rehoused in archival folders and boxes.

Arrangement

Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.

Table of Contents

Printed Material

Inventory