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Postcard featuring members of the EcoTheater Company founded by Maryat Lee in 1975. The caption reads: "EcoTheater Company-- The indigenous summer theater of Summers County, West Virginia."Maryat Lee (born Mary Attaway Lee; May 26, 1923 – September 18, 1989) was an American playwright and theatre director who made important contributions to post-World War II avant-garde theatre. She pioneered street theatre in Harlem, and later founded EcoTheater in West Virginia, a community based theater project.Early in her career, Lee wrote and produced plays in New York City, including the street play “DOPE!” While in New York she also formed the Soul and Latin Theater (SALT), and wrote plays centered around the lives of the actors in the group.In 1970 Lee moved to West Virginia and formed the community theater group EcoTheater in 1975. Beginning with local teenagers from the Governor’s Summer Youth Program, the rural theater group grew, and produced plays based on oral histories collected from the local community. Each performance of an EcoTheater play involved audience participation and discussion. With the assistance of the Humanities Foundation of West Virginia, guest scholars became a part of EcoTheater.

EcoTheater Company, Summers County, W. Va.

Identifier:
049820
Collection Number:
A&M 3300
Title:
EcoTheater Company, Summers County, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1975-1989
Creator:
Fran Belin
Description:
Postcard featuring members of the EcoTheater Company founded by Maryat Lee in 1975. The caption reads: "EcoTheater Company-- The indigenous summer theater of Summers County, West Virginia."Maryat Lee (born Mary Attaway Lee; May 26, 1923 – September 18, 1989) was an American playwright and theatre director who made important contributions to post-World War II avant-garde theatre. She pioneered street theatre in Harlem, and later founded EcoTheater in West Virginia, a community based theater project.Early in her career, Lee wrote and produced plays in New York City, including the street play “DOPE!” While in New York she also formed the Soul and Latin Theater (SALT), and wrote plays centered around the lives of the actors in the group.In 1970 Lee moved to West Virginia and formed the community theater group EcoTheater in 1975. Beginning with local teenagers from the Governor’s Summer Youth Program, the rural theater group grew, and produced plays based on oral histories collected from the local community. Each performance of an EcoTheater play involved audience participation and discussion. With the assistance of the Humanities Foundation of West Virginia, guest scholars became a part of EcoTheater.
Acquisition Source:
Lee, Robert
Acquisition Method:
Gift
Medium:
postcard
Projects:
West Virginia History OnView