The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the Marjorie Whitney Prass Papers 1927-2008
© 2012 University of Chicago Library
| Title: | Prass, Marjorie Whitney. Papers |
|---|---|
| Dates: | 1927-2008 |
| Size: | 104 linear feet (49 boxes, 1 over-size folder) |
| Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | This collection contains papers, photographs, costumes and ephemera belonging to Marjorie Whitney Prass, an alumna of the University of Chicago and an avid dancer. The bulk of the collection is comprised of over 200 pieces of costume clothing, accessories and props. The majority were made for Prass by her mother, Mathilde Muller Whitney, for performances at the University of Chicago. The collection also includes choreography notes and programs from dance performances in Chicago from the 1930s through the 1980s. |
Box 48 contains student material and is restricted for 80 years. The rest of the collection is open for research.
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When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Prass, Marjorie Whitney. Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Marjorie Whitney Prass was born on Sept. 11, 1918. She began dancing as a child, and by nine was performing in recitals. She also played the piano, and in the eighth grade was chosen to perform in a Chicago Symphony Orchestra educational outreach concert. Prass grew up in Riverside, IL, and in 1935 entered the University of Chicago. She was active in dance and theatrical performances at the University, most notably the Mirror Review, an annual women's dance revue. It was begun as an answer to the all-male Blackfriars musical comedy troupe.
While at the University, Marjorie met future husband Norman W. Prass. He was an avid photographer, and many of the photographs of Marjorie in costume and dancing were taken by Norman. Most of the costumes in the collection were made by Marjorie's mother, Mathilde Muller Whitney.
Prass graduated in 1941, with a degree in History. She and Norman eventually moved back to Riverside, where she lived for most of the rest of her life. Prass remained an active member of the Chicago Dance Council and the Dance for Victory Committee, and an active patron of Chicago dance and theatrical performances. She died on April 8, 2009.
This collection contains papers, photographs, costumes and ephemera belonging to Marjorie Whitney Prass. Most of the paper part of the collection consists of programs from dance performances in Chicago but there are also choreography notes for many dances, and a series of photographs of Prass. The bulk of the collection, though, is comprised of over 200 pieces of costume clothing, accessories and props. There are both theatrical and dance costumes, many of them ethnic or folk costumes. The collection also contains parts of costumes, scarves, shoes, headpieces, hair flowers, and other accessories, as well as castanets, bells, and tambourines. The majority of the costumes were made for Prass by her mother, Mathilde Muller Whitney, for performances at the University of Chicago. Most items date from the 1930s and 1940s, with most costume pieces from the 1930s.
Chicago Drama Performances. Index, 1839-1955
Playbill and Program. Collection, 1843-1979
Series I: Papers |
This series includes personal papers of Marjorie Whitney Prass, including many pages of choreography notes and instructions for various dances. There are also numerous newspaper clippings (most of them pictures of dancers and movie stars), and many dance and theatre programs, almost all of them from performances in Chicago. Most items date from the 1930s and 1940s.
| Box 1 Folder 1 | Letter from American Legion, 1934 |
| Box 1 Folder 2 | Ticket Stubs, Movie Flyer, 1935, 1937 |
| Box 1 Folder 3 | College Coursework and Notes, 1936, 1938, 1939, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 4 | University of Chicago Campus Map, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 5 | Alumni Foundation Donation, Magazine, U of C Magazine, 1948, 1958, 1959 |
| Box 1 Folder 6 | Dance Instructions and Choreography, Notes, 1940, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 7 | Dance Instructions - Conga, circa 1940 |
| Box 1 Folder 8 | Dance Instructions -- "Short Course on Spanish Dancing," undated |
| Box 1 Folder 9 | Dance Articles -- Literary Digest, 1932, 1933 |
| Box 1 Folder 10 | Chicago Dancer Newsletter, 1940-1942 |
| Box 1 Folder 11 | Dance Index: The Soviet Ballet, Flyer, 1943 |
| Box 1 Folder 12 | Newspaper Clippings, Marjorie Whitney, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 13 | Newspaper Clippings, Dancers, 1936, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 14 | Newspaper Clippings, Dance Articles and Reviews, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 15 | Newspaper Clippings, Movie Stars, 1929-1931 |
| Box 1 Folder 16 | Newspaper Clippings, Nina Rosa Stars, 1930 |
| Box 1 Folder 17 | Newspaper Clippings, Non-Dance Related, 1937, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 18 | Newspaper Clippings, Prass's 90th Birthday (photocopy), 2008 |
| Box 1 Folder 19 | Programs -- Marjorie Whitney, 1927-1940 |
| Box 1 Folder 20 | Programs -- Mirror Revue, 1937, 1939 |
| Box 1 Folder 21 | Programs -- University of Chicago Events, 1946, 1947, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 22 | Dance Programs -- Alvarez and Soriano, 1939-1941 |
| Box 1 Folder 23 | Dance Programs -- Carmen Amaya and Gypsy Dancers, 1942, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 24 | Dance Programs -- American Ballet Caravan, 1939 |
| Box 1 Folder 25 | Dance Programs -- American Ballet Theatre, 1968, 1969 |
| Box 1 Folder 26 | Dance Programs -- Antonio and Ballets de Madrid, 1968 |
| Box 1 Folder 27 | Dance Programs -- La Argentina, 1934-1935 |
| Box 1 Folder 28 | Dance Programs -- Argentinita, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 29 | Dance Programs -- Ballet Repertory Company, 1944, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 30 | Dance Programs -- Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, 1934-1954, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 31 | Dance Programs -- Ballet Theatre, 1943-1954 |
| Box 2 Folder 1 | Dance Programs -- Ballet Theatre National Tour, 1942-1946 |
| Box 2 Folder 2 | Dance Programs -- Bayanihan Philippine Dance, 1964 |
| Box 2 Folder 3 | Dance Programs -- Vytautas Finadar Beliajus, 1935 |
| Box 2 Folder 4 | Dance Programs -- Gabriel Cansino, 1941 |
| Box 2 Folder 5 | Dance Programs -- Chicago Folk Festival, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 6 | Dance Programs -- Agnes de Mille and Company, 1940 |
| Box 2 Folder 7 | Dance Programs -- Devi-Dja and her Bali-Java Dancers, 1939, 1944, circa 1950 |
| Box 2 Folder 8 | Dance Programs -- Katherine Dunham, 1938-1945 |
| Box 2 Folder 9 | Dance Programs, Flyers, Article -- Gladys Hight School of Dancing, 1949, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 10 | Dance Programs -- Martha Graham, 1936 |
| Box 2 Folder 11 | Dance Programs -- Jose Greco, 1952 |
| Box 2 Folder 12 | Dance Programs -- Hanya Holm and Company, 1940 |
| Box 2 Folder 13 | Dance Programs -- Harkness Ballet, 1969 |
| Box 2 Folder 14 | Dance Flyer -- Hatfield, Parkin, Kravitsky, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 15 | Dance Programs -- Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman, 1937 |
| Box 2 Folder 16 | Dance Programs -- Roberto Iglesias Ballet Espanol, 1960 |
| Box 2 Folder 17 | Dance Programs -- Joffrey Ballet, 1970 |
| Box 2 Folder 18 | Dance Programs -- Joors European Ballet, 1936 |
| Box 2 Folder 19 | Dance Programs -- Harald Kreutzberg, 1936, 1937 |
| Box 2 Folder 20 | Dance Programs -- Markova and Dolin, 1945 |
| Box 2 Folder 21 | Dance Programs, Flyer -- Clarita Martin, 1939 |
| Box 2 Folder 22 | Dance Programs -- "Musical Americana" Revue, 1954 |
| Box 2 Folder 23 | Dance Programs -- Mata and Hari, 1953 |
| Box 2 Folder 24 | Dance Programs -- The Polish Ballet, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 25 | Dance Programs -- Ruth Page and Bentley Stone, 1939, 1941, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 26 | Dance Programs -- Rosario and Antonio and Company, 1945 |
| Box 2 Folder 27 | Dance Programs -- Radio City Music Hall (Astaire/Cherise), 1953 |
| Box 2 Folder 28 | Dance Programs -- Royal Danish Ballet, 1980 |
| Box 2 Folder 29 | Dance Programs -- Sadler's Wells Ballet, 1949-1950 |
| Box 2 Folder 30 | Dance Programs -- Saidenberg Symphonietta, 1940 |
| Box 2 Folder 31 | Dance Programs -- Trudi Schoop and Comic Ballet, 1936 |
| Box 2 Folder 32 | Dance Programs -- Uday Shan-Kar and Hindu Dancers, 1933-1952 |
| Box 2 Folder 33 | Dance Programs and Flyer -- Mia Slavenska, 1944 |
| Box 2 Folder 34 | Dance Programs -- Student Recitals, 1950, 1954, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 35 | Dance Programs -- Olga Valentine, Woman's Symphony Orchestra, 1936 |
| Box 2 Folder 36 | Dance Programs -- Miscellaneous Ballet, 1937, 1938, 1951, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 37 | Theatre Program -- The Playgoer Magazine, 1928, 1930 |
| Box 2 Folder 38 | Theatre Program -- Nina Rosa, 1930 |
| Box 2 Folder 39 | Theatre Program -- Three Wise Fools, 1936 |
| Box 2 Folder 40 | Theatre Program -- O Say Can You Sing? 1936 |
| Box 2 Folder 41 | Theatre Program -- Frankie and Johnny et al., 1938 |
| Box 2 Folder 42 | Theatre Program -- Mamba's Daughters, 1939 |
| Box 2 Folder 43 | Theatre Program -- Guest in the House, 1943 |
| Box 2 Folder 44 | Theatre Program -- Kiss and Tell, 1943 |
| Box 2 Folder 45 | Theatre Program -- Carmen Jones, 1945 |
| Box 2 Folder 46 | Theatre Program -- Up in Central Park, 1946 |
| Box 3 Folder 1 | Theatre Program, Clipping -- Grand Kabuki, 1969 |
| Box 3 Folder 2 | Theatre Program -- Idiot's Delight, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 3 | Theatre Program -- I'd Rather Be Right, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 4 | Theatre Program -- Lookin' at Life, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 5 | Theatre Program -- Countess Maritza, Swedish Film Flyer, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 6 | Theatre Program -- The Great Waltz, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 7 | Music Program -- Manuel and Williamson Harpsichord Ensemble, 1941 |
| Box 3 Folder 8 | Music Program -- Faust, 1942 |
| Box 3 Folder 9 | Music Program -- Don Cossack Chorus, 1945, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 10 | Music Program -- Tannhaeuser, 1946 |
| Box 3 Folder 11 | Music Program -- Andres Segovia, 1964, 1970 |
| Box 3 Folder 12 | Music Program -- Semiramide, 1971 |
| Box 3 Folder 13 | Music Program -- Marian Anderson, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 14 | Miscellaneous Programs, undated |
Series II: Photographs |
This series contains photographs of Marjorie Whitney Prass in costume, and a few of her in performance. There are several portrait and graduation photographs as well, and a set of pictures of her husband, Norman Prass. An avid photographer, Norman took most of the pictures of Marjorie.
| Box 3 Folder 15 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney in Peter Pan Costume |
| Box 3 Folder 16 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney in Flamenco Costume, 1933 |
| Box 3 Folder 17 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney in Sun Costume, 1936 |
| Box 3 Folder 18 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney in Folk Costume, 1936 |
| Box 3 Folder 19 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney in Flamenco Costume, 1936 |
| Box 3 Folder 20 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney in Oriental Costume, 1940 |
| Box 3 Folder 21 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney in Peacock Flamenco Dress, 1940 |
| Box 3 Folder 22 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney in Spanish Veil, 1940 |
| Box 3 Folder 23 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney in Indian Costumes, 1940, 1943 |
| Box 3 Folder 24 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney in Theatre Costumes, 1940, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 25 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney in Short Black Costume, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 26 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney in White Beaded Costume, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 27 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney in Theatre Costume, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 28 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney in Pointe Shoes, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 29 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney Dancing, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 30 | Photographs -- Dance Performances, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 31 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney (Portraits), 1938, 1940 |
| Box 3 Folder 32 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney Graduation and Miscellaneous, 1936, 1941, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 33 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney and Norman Prass, Picnic, 1944 |
| Box 3 Folder 34 | Photographs -- Norman Prass, circa 1938-1944 |
| Box 3 Folder 35 | Photograph -- Eleanor Muller, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 36 | Photographs -- Dancers, Autographed, 1934, undated |
Series III: Costumes |
This series contains dance and theatre costumes, costume components and accessories, most worn or used by Marjorie Whitney Prass. Subseries 1 contains actual articles of clothing, with dresses and complete costumes coming first in the arrangement. Most of the ensembles described as costumes are folk or ethnic costumes. There are also several children's costumes. These are followed by individual pieces (blouses, skirts, scarves, etc.), bodysuits and bloomers. Subseries 2 contains accessories and props, including headpieces, fabric flowers, shoes, fans, castanets, tambourines, and bells. Subseries three contains fabric scraps, sewing notions and unfinished projects.
Subseries 1: Costume Clothing |
| Box 4 | Yellow dress with ruffles, flower print, undated |
| Box 5 | Red satin dress: shirtwaist, skirt, undated |
| Box 6 | Purple gown, detached lace collar, undated |
| Box 7 | Coral satin gown, undated |
| Box 8 | Pink gown with black lace, undated |
| Box 8 | Blue linen dress, undated |
| Box 9 | Mauve satin slip dress, undated |
| Box 9 | Pink/Lavender lyrical dance or slip dress, undated |
| Box 10 | Black satin long gown, black sequined fingerless gloves, sequined hair bow, undated |
| Box 11 | White ruffled dress: top with peplum, long skirt, undated |
| Box 12 | White satin costume: beaded bodice, beaded long skirt, sequined headpieces, undated |
| Box 13 | Gold lamé and sequin dress, gold sequin headpiece, undated |
| Box 14 | Short black velvet dress, undated |
| Box 15 | Pierrot costume: jacket, pants, hat, undated |
| Box 16 | Sun and moon costume: gold bodysuit, gold dress, sun and moon sequin headpieces, circa 1936 |
| Box 17 | Peter Pan costume: vest, shorts, sash, feathered hat, undated |
| Box 18 | Belly dance costume: harem pants, vest, kerchief, headpiece, ankle or wrist bells, undated |
| Box 19 | Green Indian costume: green skirt and sari, gold choti top, undated |
| Box 20 | Blue Indian costume: blue satin skirt, gold lamé choti, blue hat, chiffon veil with gold trim, detached pendants from veil, circa 1940 View image of costume, part 1. |
| Box 21 | Chinese costume: blue silk robe and pants, orange hat, undated |
| Box 22 | Hula costume: grass skirt, grass wristlets, paper leis, undated |
| Box 23 | Peacock dress: black velvet flamenco dress with underskirt, bolero, hat, circa 1940 View image of costume, part 1. |
| Box 24 | Flamenco costume: bodice with attached scarf, ruffled skirt, black Spanish veil with flower, circa 1936 |
| Box 25 | Flamenco costume: red and white satin dress, satin hat, circa 1933 |
| Box 26 | Hungarian costume: blouse, skirt, kerchief, apron, undated |
| Box 26 | Paisley "Gypsy" costume: shirtwaist, skirt, Japanese bloomers, kerchief, undated |
| Box 26 | European folk costume: peasant blouse, red velvet Renaissance bodice, small embroidered lace bib apron, headpiece with fruit, circa 1936 View image of costume, part 1. View image of costume, part 2. |
| Box 27 | Child's purple butterfly costume: suit and cap, purple net wings, mauve patterned wings, undated View image of costume, part 1. |
| Box 28 | Child's gold-trimmed dress, undated |
| Box 28 | Child's clown costume: orange and black clown suit, cone hat, undated |
| Box 29 | Child's paper costume: yellow crepe paper dress and hat, undated |
| Box 30 | Oriental costume pieces: gold lamé head pieces, vest, shoulder piece, waistbands, undated |
| Box 30 | Felt folk costume pieces: two felt vests, two hats, belt, small pouch/purses -- one blue set, one green, undated |
| Box 30 | Two black velvet vests, one detached coin in envelope, undated |
| Box 30 | Orange cotton bodice, undated |
| Box 31 | Blouses and tops: belly dancer top, lavender sheer blouse, white bodice, two sheer European peasant blouses, Mexican peasant blouse, undated View image of costume, part 1. View image of costume, part 2. View image of costume, part 3. |
| Box 31 | White organza apron, undated |
| Box 31 | Black collar, undated |
| Box 32 | Short cape, ivory silk with crystals, undated |
| Box 33 | Two green skirts, matching Japanese bloomers, undated |
| Box 33 | Black ruffled skirt, undated |
| Box 34 | Bolero jackets: purple brocade with sash, brown taffeta with belt, circa 1940 |
| Box 34 | Wraps: eight scarves, one shawl, one handkerchief, undated View image of costume, part 3. View image of costume, part 4. View image of costume, part 5. View image of costume, part 6. View image of costume, part 7. View image of costume, part 8. View image of costume, part 9. |
| Box 35 | Petticoats, one yellow, one pink, undated |
| Box 36 | Undergarments: three bodysuits, one pair pantaloons, 11 pairs Japanese bloomers, one pair child's bloomers, undated View image of costume, part 1. View image of costume, part 2. View image of costume, part 3. View image of costume, part 4. View image of costume, part 5. View image of costume, part 6. View image of costume, part 7. View image of costume, part 8. View image of costume, part 9. View image of costume, part 10. View image of costume, part 11. View image of costume, part 12. View image of costume, part 13. |
Subseries 2: Accessories and Props |
| Box 37 | Pastel accessories: two satin muffs, lavender headpiece, pink bonnet, undated View image of costume, part 1. |
| Box 37 | Two floppy summer hats, undated |
| Box 38 | Crepe paper watering can and headband, undated |
| Box 39 | Assorted accessories: stockings, hairnets/snoods, glass tussy-mussy, eye masks, black and purple belt, hatpin, black silk cap with sequins, pearl appliqué ornament (unfinished), 2 cakes of black make-up, loose coins from trim, earring dangles, all undated View image of costume, part 1. View image of costume, part 2. View image of costume, part 3. View image of costume, part 4. View image of costume, part 5. View image of costume, part 6. View image of costume, part 7. |
| Box 40 | Large Oriental-style hair comb, undated |
| Box 40 | Gold headband, undated |
| Box 40 | Fabric corsages and hair flowers, undated |
| Box 41 | Premade fabric flowers, wire poinsettias, fabric leaves, ribbon corsages, undated View image of costume, part 1. View image of costume, part 2. View image of costume, part 3. |
| Box 42 | Percussion: One set ankle or wrist bells, two sets of Indian Nautch Girl bells, one pair small maracas, one large single maraca, one pair castanets, two pairs finger cymbals, undated |
| Box 43 | Tambourines: two smaller, one large, one with ribbons, undated |
| Box 43 | Fans: one large painted Japanese fan, one small Japanese fan, one paper fan/ad for Old Spice, undated View image of costume, part 1. |
| Box 44 | Shoes: red Indian sandals, two pairs of black pointe shoes, pink pointe shoes with shoe covers, undated View image of costume, part 1. |
Subseries 3: Scraps |
| Box 45 | Unfinished Projects: blue bodice, gold veil, wings, black trimmings, white bloomers, undated |
| Box 46 | Scraps: ribbon, bows, pom-poms, monogram letters, appliqué, scraps of fabric, large unused fabric pieces, undated |
Series IV: Oversize |
This series contains oversize paper items, including posters, newspaper clippings, costume patterns, and a large class reunion photograph.
| Oversize Folder 1 | University of Chicago Class of 1939, Panoramic Photograph, 1989 |
| Box 47 Folder 1 | Velos and Yolanda -- Clippings and Flyer, 1933-1935 |
| Box 47 Folder 2 | Photographs -- Marjorie Whitney dancing, 1938, undated |
| Box 47 Folder 3 | Clippings, circa 1939, undated |
| Box 47 Folder 4 | Costume Patterns, 1942, undated |
Series V: Restricted |
This series contains restricted student material. It is restricted for 80 years.
| Box 48 Folder 1 | Student Material, 1944 |