Fonds MS-3-5 - Nova Scotia Drama League fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Nova Scotia Drama League fonds

General material designation

  • Textual record

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Fonds

Reference code

MS-3-5

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

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Date(s)

  • 1950-2002 (Creation)

Physical description area

Physical description

2.89 m of textual records

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Administrative history

The Nova Scotia Drama League (NSDL) was incorporated in 1951 by an Act of Provincial Legislature to foster theatre through the promotion of drama festivals, education and awards. One of the earliest non-profit organizations in Nova Scotia, the Drama League was funded through membership and registration fees, individual and corporate donations, and a provincial operating grant. The Drama League was owned and operated by its membership, which included professional and amateur theatre workers and theatre companies, as well as interested supporters of the arts. The Drama League was mandated to encourage and promote drama throughout Nova Scotia; to serve as an information centre and resource for theatrical activity in the province; to encourage, organize and/or produce provincial drama festivals; to solicit and administer funds for training and supporting amateur theatre workers; to advocate the writing and production of new plays; and to co-operate with individuals and groups in other areas of the arts (i.e., dance, film, music, radio and television and the visual arts).

To these ends, the Drama League produced and published a monthly newsletter as well as the quarterly magazine, Callboard. They co-produced with the Atlantic Television System (ATV) a public service television presentation called Stagelights. The group provided a lending library for its members, held workshops on theatre-related subjects, hosted a summer school, and presented an annual Provincial Theatre Festival. They also served as the provincial representative of the National Multicultural Theatre Association, providing lighting equipment rentals and operating a co-operative buying service of hard-to-obtain theatrical supplies at affordable prices. In the early 2000s, the Nova Scotia Drama League merged with the Nova Scotia Professional Theatre Association to form Theatre Nova Scotia.

Custodial history

The collection was donated to the Dalhousie Archives by the Nova Scotia Drama League in five installments, between 1974 and 1993.

Scope and content

The fonds includes administrative records including correspondence and reports, scripts, publications, and scrapbooks. It also includes a rich collection of records pertaining to NSDL-affiliated associations and events. Among the many regional and national associations and festivals represented are the Canadian Child and Youth Drama Association, Dalhousie University cultural activities, Neptune Theatre, Nova Scotia Cultural Federations, Pier One, Portus Productions, Theatre Arts Guild, Atlantic Drama Festival, Dominion Drama Festival, Joseph Howe Festival, and One Act Play Festival.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

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Language of material

  • English

Script of material

Language and script note

English

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Availability of other formats

Restrictions on access

All files are open.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Materials do not circulate and must be used in the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room. Materials may be under copyright. Contact departmental staff for guidance on reproduction.

Finding aids

Associated materials

See the following theatre collections in the Dalhousie University Archives: Dartmouth Players (MS-3-30), David Renton (including Portus Productions, MS-3-23), Neptune Theatre (MS-3-1), Pier One Theatre (MS-3-7), and Theatre Arts Guild (MS-3-4).

Related materials

Accruals

Further accruals are possible, but not expected.

General note

Preferred citation: [Identification of item], Nova Scotia Drama League fonds, MS-3-5, Box [box number], Folder [folder number], Dalhousie University Archives and Special Collections, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

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