Papers, 1969-1997

Author: Johnson, Virgil (Virgil Charles).

Description: .5 638 drawings, 21 photographs, 2 oversize folders linear feet :

Subject(s): Johnson, Virgil (Virgil Charles) Archives.
Costume designers Illinois Chicago History Sources.
Theaters Illinois Chicago History Sources.

Notes: Available for research in the Special Collections and Preservation Division Reading Room of the Chicago Public Library.

Summary: The Virgil Johnson collection contains costume drawings, photographs, and accompanying materials, covering the years 1969-1997. The drawings represent Johnson's work at several Chicago area theaters, as well as the Missouri Repertory Theatre (now the Kansas City Repertory Theatre) and the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. Of the 28 plays in the collection, 19 were produced at the Goodman Theatre, where Johnson was resident costume designer from 1969-1978. The Costume Drawings series contains 638 drawings, working drawings, fabric swatches, costume plots, and promotional materials for productions from 1969 to 1997. Most of the drawings are watercolor and/or gouache on watercolor paper. Because they vary in size, the drawings have been arranged into small (a), medium (b), and large (c) boxes. One production (Goodman Theatre, 1985: The Government Inspector) contains drawings of a smaller, fourth size (d). Also included in this series are oversize materials, which while separated physically from the manuscript material, are noted with their respective productions and also listed at the end of the Box and Folder Inventory. The Accompanying Materials series consists of programs, production notes, and actor measurement sheets. This series is arranged alphabetically by theatre, then chronologically by production. The Photographs series contains promotional photos, photos of actors and casts, and several images of Virgil Johnson. This series is arranged alphabetically by theatre, then chronologically by production.