@ecolleary
Curator of Performing Arts @ Harry Ransom Center | Theatre, Libraries, Museums, Digital Humanities, and Nonprofits | (he/him) 🏳️🌈 https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/collections/performing-arts/ https://www.stagestories.org
A high point in 2025 was interviewing director Sir Richard Eyre onstage at The Globe in London for UT’s Chancellor’s Council. I’ve known him for nearly five years now and acquired his papers for the Ransom Center in 2023. We had such a lovely conversation about leadership and storytelling.
It’s got a whole section on Houdini’s interest in the Booths!
The book is already available to pre-order through Abbeville: www.abbeville.com/products/hou...
My book is done! Houdini’s Library arrives August 4, 2026 from Abbeville Press, with an accompanying exhibition @ransomcenter.bsky.social later that month. A behind-the-curtain look at the private library that fueled Houdini’s imagination and preserved centuries of magic.
French magician Félicien Trewey at age 37. Known for his remarkable dexterity and wit, Trewey was an acclaimed magician, mime, shadowgraphiste, and early film performer. This photograph, taken around 1885, is part of the personal collection of Harry Houdini, now held @ransomcenter.bsky.social
This post: The New Tivoli (the electric sign of Miss Timidity can be seen hanging on the right of the building); The Chinese Theatre burning (April 20); Remains of the Tivoli Opera House. All from the American Theaters Collection @ransomcenter.bsky.social
Previously: Theatre Row (Fishers, Alcazar, Orpheum); The Grand Opera House (Third & Mission St); Columbia Theatre; All that is left of the Alcazar and Fishers. @ransomcenter.bsky.social ‘s American Theaters Collection
The 1906 earthquake leveled San Francisco—over 80% of the city was destroyed including the city’s vibrant theater district. Opera houses, vaudeville stages, and concert halls were reduced to rubble. These images from @ransomcenter.bsky.social
Today was a big email catch-up day. I totaled up the number of words emailed over six hours and it was the equivalent of a book chapter. No wonder my writing muscles are tired when I sit down to write an ACTUAL book chapter!
So close, right? But it surprisingly looks like Houdini in the poster
I told ChatGPT a bit about what I do for work and gave it an image of me, and asked it to create a portrait of me at work and… it’s kinda shocking. 😳
We’ve also launched a digital collection that includes early photos & a rare script for the 1903 musical ‘In Dahomey,’ now the third-known variant of the script for one of the earliest major Broadway musicals created and performed by African American artists. hrc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/coll...
Excited to share the Ethel Waters Papers with researchers and visitors to @ransomcenter.bsky.social! Over thirty record storage boxes and 180+ non-commercial recordings of the legendary actress and singer have joined the performing arts collections here. www.hrc.utexas.edu/press/releas...
Autumn days in Austin are sacred.
Red poster featuring a blue battered matchbook with “The Old Neighborhood” printed on the cover.
David Mamet’s trilogy of short plays, “The Old Neighborhood,” opened #otd Nov. 22, 1997 on Broadway. Mamet’s hometown of Chicago provides the backdrop to what has been referred to as one of his most autobiographical works. | 📸 Poster from Mamet Papers @ransomcenter.bsky.social #theatrehistory
Aww thanks so much for the kind words Dave! Looking forward to seeing you again soon!
Thanks for organizing this!
Thanks for doing this!
I’m far too anxious of a person to be existing in this timeline.
Have also written extensively on American food history. Focusing more on community care these days. Hello! 👋
It’s been a minute, so reintroducing myself. I’m a trained theatre historian working in museums, archives, and nonprofits. I live in Austin TX. Married to a wonderful man for over 2 years. Currently writing a book and organizing an exhibit on Houdini’s Library for @ransomcenter.bsky.social
Her papers include voluminous marked scripts that span her career, correspondence, photographs, scrapbooks, clippings, day diaries, and more. The collection is open for research, with many thanks to Ms. Harris for making this gift. 3/3 www.hrc.utexas.edu/research/gui...
75+ years of memorable performances incl. Ophelia opposite Peter O’Toole’s Hamlet in the premiere production of @NationalTheatre, her award-winning Eleanor in the 1966 The Lion in Winter on Broadway, to her recent recurring role as Aunt May in Marvel’s Spiderman franchise…. 2/3
It’s been a minute since we announced some recent additions to the performing arts collections @ransomcenter.bsky.social Today, I’m sharing the news that iconic actress Rosemary Harris has gifted her papers to the Ransom Center.
The performing arts collections here @RansomCenter are vast - dating from the 11th century to the present. I’ve got detailed research guides online (www.hrc.utexas.edu/collections/...), but do reach out with any questions you have about the collections (performingarts@hrc.utexas.edu).
The deadline for @RansomCenter fellowship applications is fast approaching - November 1 at Noon CST! We’ll be awarding ~60 fellowships to support travel to the Center, ranging from 1 week to 3 months. More details at: www.hrc.utexas.edu/fellowships/ 🧵1/2
Performing arts historian, archives/libraries/museums, digital humanities. Teach archives literacy and connect researchers to resources. Currently working on an exhibit about the impact of the House UnAmerican Activities Committee on the American theatre.
"...but my present object is to rebuke those who, having authority, to prevent it, allow and encourage these vagrant showmen, to dupe those whose idle curiosity leads them to dissipate their minds and money at such worthless exhibitions."
"Now, as this is the age of humbug, in which the masses either know not or care not, how much they are galled by quackery of every kind, I do not expect to persuade them to keep away from the 'shows...'
