Theatre Historical Society establishes Dubuque Research Fellowship

posted by Michael Zoldessy on April 2, 2012 at 7:59 am

The Theatre Historical Society of America announces the first annual Thomas R. DuBuque Research Fellowship, with grants of up to $1,500 for research in its American Theatre Architecture Archive in Elmhurst, Illinois.

The Fellowship was established in 2012 by the Board of Directors to honor and perpetuate the memory of past THS president, Conclave/Theatre Tour planner, and dedicated volunteer Tom DuBuque. Tom had a lifelong interest in theatres and was a member of THS from 1979 until his untimely death in 2011.

The DuBuque Research Fellowship was created to support scholars conducting research in the Society’s archives and collections, to increase awareness of the archives, and encourage its use. Grants of up to $1,500 may be used to fund travel, lodging, copying, scanning, photo reproduction, publication rights, and other research expenses.

Preferred projects include aspects of the study of theatre architecture, theatre architects, and the operation of theatres in the United States. Proposals should be for a publicly available product such as an article, film, book, exhibit, dissertation, thesis, or other result shared with academic and/or public audiences.

The competition is open to undergraduates, graduate students, college and university faculty, independent scholars, and other researchers. Membership in Theatre Historical Society is not required, but is encouraged.

To apply for the DuBuque Research Fellowship, complete the application form on the THS website and submit it with the other required information. Applications must be received no later than November 1, 2012, and may be submitted by email, fax or U.S. mail, as detailed on our website. Award notification will take place in December, 2012, and research must take place in 2013.

The THS archive and collections are dedicated to preserving the architectural, cultural and social history of America’s theatres. They contain information on more than 15,000 theatres, primarily in the United States. Every period and style is represented, including 19th century opera houses, nickelodeons, Vaudeville houses, small town and neighborhood theatres, open-air theatres, drive-ins, and movie palaces.

For complete details on the DuBuque Research Fellowship, or to learn more about our collections, please visit our website, www.historictheatres.org.

For more information, contact Kathy McLeister, Archive Director, Theatre Historical Society of America; ; telephone 630 782-1800, fax 630 782-1802.