Description :

Geary Theatre Playbill – American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.)

This rare and authentic Playbill set from the Geary Theatre in San Francisco documents the founding seasons of the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), under the visionary leadership of William Ball as general director. These programs chronicle a diverse repertoire of groundbreaking theatrical productions, including Tartuffe, Tiny Alice, Dear Liar, The Torch Bearers, Beyond the Fringe, Endgame, The Seagull, Charley's Aunt, Six Characters in Search of an Author, Arsenic and Old Lace, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Under Milk Wood, Our Town, Death of a Salesman, Man and Superman, and a special series titled A.C.T. One-Acts—each a masterwork of its time, interpreted with fresh vision and electrifying staging.

These productions were helmed by a rotating team of esteemed directors including William Ball, Peter Donat, and Edward Hastings, with Allen Fletcher and Richard E.T. White contributing on dramaturgical development and performance coaching. The casts featured celebrated performers such as René Auberjonois, Robin Gammell, Barbara Bosson, Nancy Carlin, Ray Reinhardt, and Richard Dysart, alongside a talented ensemble of conservatory actors, each contributing to A.C.T.’s innovative blend of classical rigor and theatrical experimentation. Technical achievements were guided by Michael Ganio (set design), Diana Shandell (costume design), Erich Bluhm (lighting), and Diane Moomey (properties), creating production aesthetics that matched the intellectual and emotional force of the performances.

The creative and administrative strength of the company extended to Gilda Radner (repertory assistant), Julie Harris (special projects), and David Ogden Stiers in featured acting roles, with press outreach managed by Glenn Loney, and production logistics handled by Susan Keats and Ray Bucha. Programs were performed at both the Geary Theatre and the Marines Memorial Theatre, reflecting A.C.T.’s growing cultural influence in the Bay Area.

Each Playbill in this set is printed in monochrome with striking typographic and illustrative cover designs showcasing the intellectual and theatrical ethos of A.C.T.'s formative seasons. These genuine production-issued items—not reproductions—are ideal for collectors of regional theater history, William Ball enthusiasts, and historians of 20th-century performance art. This set captures a pivotal moment when the American Conservatory Theater emerged as a powerhouse of innovation and dramatic excellence.

Measurements:

A.C.T. Theatre Playbill:

Length: 11 Inches;

Width: 8 1/2 Inches;

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