University of North Carolina at Asheville
D. Hiden Ramsey Library
Special Collections/University Archives

Manuscript Register
for

Flat Rock Playhouse Archive

M2006.11.1

Scene from "Fools", Flat Rock Playhouse, Flat Rock, N.C.

The Flat Rock Playhouse Archives is arranged in three large series according to format:  Series 1. Manuscripts and Printed Materials ; 2. Photographs, Slides, Video, Sound Recordings 3. Oversized Materials . Content series are found across all three formats. They include 1. History, 2. Business Records, 4. Plays, and 3. Memorabilia. The largest body of items are those associated with the productions of the theater.

The History of the theater from its beginnings as the Vagabond Players under the organization of Managing Director Robroy Farquhar in 1937 in New York, to the re-location of the theater to the Old Mill Playhouse in North Carolina in 1940, to the Lake Summit Playhouse located at Tuxedo, NC and the eventual location of the theater in Flat Rock, NC in 1952, is found in the extensive collection of records of operation and in the correspondence of Robroy Farquhar. 

The Theater pulled thespians from throughout the country and "gave them professional training in voice, diction, pantomime, interpretation and characterization, as well as practical experience in all phases of play production, " much as it does today. Often pulling their repertoire from local sources, the company went on tour from 1953 to 1955 and presented such productions as "North Carolina's Paul Green," Four From O. Henry," The World of Carl Sandburg," and other offerings. Today, the theater works closely with the schools in the area and is committed to children's theater, as well as a broad range of adult offerings.

In 1961 the theater was officially designated by joint resolution of the General Assembly of North Carolina, as THE STATE THEATER OF NORTH CAROLINA.

Business Records include general correspondence, grant proposals and related correspondence, legal documents, financial documents, building records, workshop material, and promotional material.

Spanning the years 1924 to the present, the Plays series is devoted to plays performed by the North Carolina State Theater Company, the Vagabond Players and by the Flat Rock Playhouse and includes play scripts, scores, director's notes, posters, programs, films, photographic prints, and reviews.

Memorabilia includes scrapbooks and manuscripts.

Photographs, film and slides offer a comprehensive visual history of the theater as it has evolved over the years and provides extensive documentation of lighting, stage-craft, and actors and acting.