HOLDER, GEOFFREY, 1930-2014.
Geoffrey Holder and Carmen de Lavallade papers > Carmen de Lavallade papers > Scripts and sheet music

Scope and Content Note

The subseries consists of scripts and sheet music from circa 1954-2014 including scripts for television shows, films, theatrical plays and musicals, dances, and ceremonies in which Carmen de Lavallade performed or created. Synopsys, treatments, outlines, correspondence, and production and research materials accompany some scripts. Production materials include production and rehearsal schedules, cast lists, and director's notes. Many scripts contain hand-written annotations.

Files that contain dance works with scripted elements include The Creation (circa 1972-2014), Willie’s Ladies Sing the Blues (circa 1996-2007), and The Vagabond (circa 1993). Files with scripts for Paradigm, the performance group co-founded in 1996 by de Lavallade, Gus Solomon, Jr., and Dudley Williams, include Archy and Mehitabel (circa 2008), Credo (1999), Lamps (circa 2009), Psalms (1999), and Texture (2005). Credo and Psalms were choreographed, written, and costumed by Geoffrey Holder.

Drafts, outlines, and treatments for works authored or choreographed by de Lavallade include the musical Manhattan Tower Views (1998-2006), co-written with Margot Astrachan, and the play For Old Times' Sake, co-written with Hope Clark. The libretto Romulus Hunt (1993) and the musical Sugar Hill (circa 1990-1992) were staged or choreographed by de Lavallade.

Many scripts are accompanied by correspondence from colleagues discussing production logistics including letters and notes from the founder of White Barn Theatre (Westport, Connecticut), Lucille Lortel (Enchanted Isle of Yew, 1987); talent coordinator for The New Voice, Lauren Richman (1980); and playwright Lonnie Carter who attributed the idea for Bleach (undated) to de Lavallade. There are several telegrams wishing de Lavallade success with the opening of House of Flowers (1954) and post-performance thank you cards from co-workers.

The series also includes sheet music for Eleanora's Cabaret (undated), sang by de Lavallade; Porgy and Bess (undated); Carmen Jones (circa 1954); and Tribute to Janet Collins (circa 2010), a collaborative production with composer Jane Ira Bloom.

Arrangement Note

Arranged in alphabetical order by title.

Processing Note

The archivist kept various document types together to reflect the donor's original arrangement. Scripts identifiable as used by de Lavallade's are arranged in this subseries, while all scripts of unknown ownership are arranged in the Geoffrey Holder papers (subseries 6.2, scripts). The titles of several unlabeled scripts have been identified by the archivist.