Research Catalog

Details

Description

1. 7.5 lin.ft. (3 boxes)

Summary

1. The Lester Polakov Papers and Designs consist of papers, photographs, set designs, and technical drawings regarding his set designs for numerous productions.

Subject

1. Brooklyn Academy of Music
2. Experimental theater
3. Notebooks
4. Set design drawings
5. Theater > United States
6. Polakov, Lester

Genre/Form

1. Set design drawings.
2. Notebooks.

Call number

1. *T-Vim 1992-025

Note

1. The Lester Polakov Papers and Designs are housed in the Billy Rose Theatre Division of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
2. Reclassed from 8-MWEZ 29,336-29,338.

Biography (note)

1. Lester Polakov, set and costume designer, was born in 1916.

Author

1. Polakov, Lester.

Title

1. Lester Polakov papers and designs, 1952-1973.

Biography

1. Lester Polakov, set and costume designer, was born in 1916. He began his career designing sets in summer stock from 1936-1940. From 1938-1941 he worked on Broadway shows as an assistant to designers such as Harry Horner, Boris Aronson, and Albert Johnson. In 1973 he designed the sets for Robert Wilson's play THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JOSEPH STALIN. His other works include: THE EMPIRE BUILDERS; MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING; THE WINNER; and RIGHT YOU ARE, among others. He has also created designs for industrial stage shows, exhibitions, and films. From 1955-1958 he taught theatrical design at Columbia University, and from 1958 to the present he has been the director of the Lester Polakov Studio of Stage Design, now known as the Studio and Forum of Stage Design.

Connect to:

1. Request Access to Theatre Division Special Collections material

Research call number

1. *T-Vim 1992-025