Leverton Theatre Collection, 1877-1949

Garrett H. Leverton, born December 13, 1896, in Huntington, Indiana, was an early twentieth century American theater educator, scholar, and producer. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from DePauw University in 1919, a Master of Arts degree from Northwestern University in 1925, and a Doctorate of Philosophy from Columbia University in 1936.

Leverton held the positions of instructor in speech at Lake Forest College from 1924-26 and assistant professor of speech from 1926-28; he also served as the Lake Forest College Dean of Men from 1925-28. In 1928, Leverton became both a professor of dramatic production at Northwestern University and the director of the University Theatre. Moving to New York City in 1937, Leverton joined the Samuel French firm, a company that specializes in play publication, author representation, and script sales, where he came to be the editor-in-chief. Leverton furthermore taught playwriting at Columbia University from 1946-1948.

Leverton was nominally known for his support of Lynn Riggs’ play Green Grow the Lilacs, which was eventually adapted into the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma!.

Leverton was unmarried and died of a heart attack on November 11, 1949.

• NamesNorthwestern Unversity
• Subject
  • College Theater
  • Drama
  • Education in the theater
  • Promptbooks
  • Theater--Production and direction
  • Universities and colleges--curricula
  • Work in the theater

The Leverton Theatre Collection was acquired through various donations. Garrett Leverton began donating his personal books (not included in this collection) to Lake Forest College in 1949. At the same time he also donated play manuscripts and typescripts included in Series II. Garrett Leverton's mother, Mrs. Edward S. Leverton, donated the personal papers and diplomas belonging to her son. The diplomas were received 10/1966 and a second donation of personal papers and photographs were donated by Mrs. Leverton in 9/1969.

Play manuscripts and typescripts donated in 1949.

Personal papers, photographs, and diplomas donated in 1966 and 1969.

No further accruals are expected.

Researchers are required to request permission from the Archivist and Librarian for Special Collections to publish or to release media created employing the contents of Archives and Special Collections materials.

The collection is open for research use.

Leverton Book Collection. Lake Forest College Special Collections.

Leverton, Garrett. How to Put on a Play. New York: Home Institute, Inc., 1939. Print.

Leverton, Garrett. The Philosophy of the Human Voice by James Rush: an Analysis and Evaluation. Lake Forest: The Lake Forester, 1927. Print.

Leverton, Garrett. The Production of Later Nineteenth Century American Drama: A Basis for Teaching. New York: Bureau of Publications, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1936. Print.

This collection is divided into 3 series. Series 1 comprises Leverton's personal papers, including correspondence, photographs, and curricula material, housed in 1 Hollinger box and 1 oversized, flat folder. Series 2 contains various play scripts collected by Leverton, housed in 2 boxes. Series 3 includes prompt books, production reports, notes, and scenic designs for shows at the Northwestern University Theatre, housed in 3 Hollinger boxes.

This collection documents the work of Garrett H. Leverton, who was a professor of speech and drama in addition to being a theater director. Leverton also worked for the firm of Samuel French from 1937 until his death in 1949. The collection contains play scripts that Leverton collected from various sources, potentially for an anthologized publication. The collection also contains curriculum and course notes that Leverton created for the instruction of speech, acting, and stage production in the 1920's and 1930's. Topics represented in the collection include dramatic arts, theater production, acting, and instruction in theater. Also included are prompt books, reports, and production notes for student productions at the Northwestern University Theatre from the 1930's. These reports include costume design sketches, crew member reviews, stage design, and playbills. Leverton's personal papers include correspondence, the bulk of which was exchanged with Barrett Clark, as well as his diplomas from DePauw University, Northwestern University, and Columbia University. There are many photographs included in the collection, both of scenes on stage as well as potraits of Leverton and other individuals, some identified.