Don Larew Theatrical Productions Scenic and Costume Designs Collection
Collection
Identifier: UA0057.1
Scope and Contents
The collection is arranged in alphabetical order and/or chronological order, as received from the donor. The majority of the collection consists of drawings, plans, and files of set designs for Don’s productions at NDSU from 1969 through the present. There are also some swatches for costumes for a number of the productions and that information is noted at the folder level. There are also a number of oversized performance photographs and production posters.
The collection consists of eight distinct series. The first series, arranged chronologically, includes Professor Larew’s work before coming to NDSU (1951 to 1967), undated sketches and a resume (as of 4/2000). The second series is also arranged chronologically and consists of play files for productions performed from 1968 to 2002. Although different for each production, information in this series consists of (small) sketches, clippings, budgets, flyers, correspondence/memos, lighting, cast lists, schedules, lighting designs, swatches, awards received by Professor Larew, and other material related to mounting a production. The third series consists of plans and/or drawings from play productions that Professor Larew was involved with (arranged alphabetically). The fourth series are performance photographs from the mid-1950s on and non-performance photos, arranged alphabetically; the fifth series is made up of play slides from 1969 to 2001, which are arranged chronologically. If no number of slides is listed then only one slide to a sheet. The sixth series consists of copyright material from Sceno-Graphics©, a firm that Professor Larew has worked for since 1974. The material within this series provides an additional view of Professor Larew’s work and includes plans/drawings and rendering photographs for productions. The seventh series deals with materials that are not directly related to theatre productions, such as committee work, submissions for awards, memoranda, correspondence, departmental matters, and the Circle of Players Endowment Fund. The final, eighth series, consists of oversized material from a variety of productions that Professor Larew has worked on: Fargo Moorhead Civic Opera - The New Moon; Lincoln Log Cabin; Centennial Proscenium & Pavilion proposals – August 1989; Lend Me A Tenor – New Rockford Theatre – summer 1991; Red River Dance & Performing Co. – 2 pages of piano sketches; and Checks, then Balances – original play by NDSU Alumni Dan McDermott – design done gratis for Williston Theatre; and the Prairie Public TV Set – September 2008.
The collection consists of eight distinct series. The first series, arranged chronologically, includes Professor Larew’s work before coming to NDSU (1951 to 1967), undated sketches and a resume (as of 4/2000). The second series is also arranged chronologically and consists of play files for productions performed from 1968 to 2002. Although different for each production, information in this series consists of (small) sketches, clippings, budgets, flyers, correspondence/memos, lighting, cast lists, schedules, lighting designs, swatches, awards received by Professor Larew, and other material related to mounting a production. The third series consists of plans and/or drawings from play productions that Professor Larew was involved with (arranged alphabetically). The fourth series are performance photographs from the mid-1950s on and non-performance photos, arranged alphabetically; the fifth series is made up of play slides from 1969 to 2001, which are arranged chronologically. If no number of slides is listed then only one slide to a sheet. The sixth series consists of copyright material from Sceno-Graphics©, a firm that Professor Larew has worked for since 1974. The material within this series provides an additional view of Professor Larew’s work and includes plans/drawings and rendering photographs for productions. The seventh series deals with materials that are not directly related to theatre productions, such as committee work, submissions for awards, memoranda, correspondence, departmental matters, and the Circle of Players Endowment Fund. The final, eighth series, consists of oversized material from a variety of productions that Professor Larew has worked on: Fargo Moorhead Civic Opera - The New Moon; Lincoln Log Cabin; Centennial Proscenium & Pavilion proposals – August 1989; Lend Me A Tenor – New Rockford Theatre – summer 1991; Red River Dance & Performing Co. – 2 pages of piano sketches; and Checks, then Balances – original play by NDSU Alumni Dan McDermott – design done gratis for Williston Theatre; and the Prairie Public TV Set – September 2008.
Dates
- 1951 – 2011
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyrights to this collection is held by The North Dakota State University Archives.
Biographical / Historical
Don Larew, Professor of Theatre Arts, received his B.S. in Applied Arts, interior design emphasis, from Iowa State University in 1963. During the summer of 1963 he took an interior design seminar at the Parsons School of Design, New York City. In 1969 he completed his MFA in Dramatic Arts, scenic design and technical direction emphasis from the University of Iowa. Additionally he took a Master Class in Scenic Painting in 1976 from the University of Iowa.
Don joined NDSU in 1969 as an instructor, was appointed assistant professor in 1971, received tenure in 1974, associate professor in 1978, and professor in 1986. In addition to his responsibilities as a teacher and student advisor, he was the Artistic Director and Designer for the Little Country Theater (LCT). He also served as Theatre Arts Coordinator, Director of Theatre, Technical Director of LCT, Scenic Designer/Technical Director of the North Dakota Repertory Theatre, as well as the Scenic and Costume Designer/Technical Director of NDSU’s Prairie Stage Touring Company. Don was also involved in outside theatrical activities, including Free-Lance Designer for the F-M Community Theater, Designer/Technical Advisor to the Red River Dance and Performing Company, Free-Lance Designer for Fargo Moorhead Civic Opera and Free-Lance Designer for Sceno-Graphics©, New Wilmington, PA.
Don was the faculty advisor to the NDSU chapter of Delta Upsilon for nearly thirty years. In 2000, the chapter put his name in for an international award and in July he was awarded the Delta Upsilon International Fraternity Chairman’s Honorable Mention Award for Outstanding Alumni Volunteer of the Year and later was presented with the DU Founders medal. In 1999 he received the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) Meritorious Achievement Award for his scenic design of Something’s Afoot. The NDSU College of Humanities and Social Science awarded him the Outstanding Research/Creative Award in 1992. He was awarded the American College Theatre Festival Meritorious Achievement Award for his scenic design and painting for Helen of Troy in 1991.
During his tenure at NDSU, Don served on the search committee for the Coordinator of Greek Life & Student Organizations; as a Greek Advisory Committee member; Search Committees for Division Director & PTE committee; chaired the Theatre Acting/Directing Search committee; served as a member of the KDSU Advisory Board; was a Design Consultant for the NDSU Madrigal Dinners; was the Design Co-Chair of the NDSU Centennial Display committee; a member of the Lincoln Log Cabin Restoration committee; as well as serving on and chairing numerous other committees and boards.
Don was also active in public service. He was president of the Fargo Moorhead Heritage Society; on the board of the Probstfield Living History Farm, Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre and Red River Dance and Performing Co.; served as a committee member of Southeast Mental Health Association Mardi Gras Balls & FM Sympathy Balls; a co-presenter of a three day painting workshop for youth at the Plains Art Museum; a volunteer site supervisor for the children’s Miracle Network Telethon; co-head of the Oak Grove Neighborhood Association; as well as numerous additional activities.
In May 2009, after forty years of service to North Dakota State University, Don retired.
Don joined NDSU in 1969 as an instructor, was appointed assistant professor in 1971, received tenure in 1974, associate professor in 1978, and professor in 1986. In addition to his responsibilities as a teacher and student advisor, he was the Artistic Director and Designer for the Little Country Theater (LCT). He also served as Theatre Arts Coordinator, Director of Theatre, Technical Director of LCT, Scenic Designer/Technical Director of the North Dakota Repertory Theatre, as well as the Scenic and Costume Designer/Technical Director of NDSU’s Prairie Stage Touring Company. Don was also involved in outside theatrical activities, including Free-Lance Designer for the F-M Community Theater, Designer/Technical Advisor to the Red River Dance and Performing Company, Free-Lance Designer for Fargo Moorhead Civic Opera and Free-Lance Designer for Sceno-Graphics©, New Wilmington, PA.
Don was the faculty advisor to the NDSU chapter of Delta Upsilon for nearly thirty years. In 2000, the chapter put his name in for an international award and in July he was awarded the Delta Upsilon International Fraternity Chairman’s Honorable Mention Award for Outstanding Alumni Volunteer of the Year and later was presented with the DU Founders medal. In 1999 he received the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) Meritorious Achievement Award for his scenic design of Something’s Afoot. The NDSU College of Humanities and Social Science awarded him the Outstanding Research/Creative Award in 1992. He was awarded the American College Theatre Festival Meritorious Achievement Award for his scenic design and painting for Helen of Troy in 1991.
During his tenure at NDSU, Don served on the search committee for the Coordinator of Greek Life & Student Organizations; as a Greek Advisory Committee member; Search Committees for Division Director & PTE committee; chaired the Theatre Acting/Directing Search committee; served as a member of the KDSU Advisory Board; was a Design Consultant for the NDSU Madrigal Dinners; was the Design Co-Chair of the NDSU Centennial Display committee; a member of the Lincoln Log Cabin Restoration committee; as well as serving on and chairing numerous other committees and boards.
Don was also active in public service. He was president of the Fargo Moorhead Heritage Society; on the board of the Probstfield Living History Farm, Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre and Red River Dance and Performing Co.; served as a committee member of Southeast Mental Health Association Mardi Gras Balls & FM Sympathy Balls; a co-presenter of a three day painting workshop for youth at the Plains Art Museum; a volunteer site supervisor for the children’s Miracle Network Telethon; co-head of the Oak Grove Neighborhood Association; as well as numerous additional activities.
In May 2009, after forty years of service to North Dakota State University, Don retired.
Extent
23 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Overview
The collection is arranged in alphabetical order and/or chronological order, as received from the donor. The majority of the collection consists of drawings, plans, and files of set designs for Don’s productions at NDSU from 1969 through the present. There are also some swatches for costumes for a number of the productions and that information is noted at the folder level. There are also a number of oversized performance photographs and production posters.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Transferred by Donated by Donald Larew, 2000 (Acc. 298), 2001 (Acc. 333, 335, 339), 2002 (Acc. 360, 386, 388), 2003 (435), 2004 (Acc. 497), 2007 (626).
Legal Status
The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Don Larew Theatrical Productions Scenic and Costume Designs Collection
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University Archives Repository
Contact:
West Building
3551 7th Avenue N
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building
3551 7th Avenue N
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu