Michael Kearns Papers

Series 1: Theater 1975-2007

Physical Description: 29 folders, 39 VHS videocasettes, 1 DVD, 1 oversize box.

Series Scope and Content

The Theater Series consists of subseries reflecting Kearns' activites as a Playwright, Director, Actor, and Producer. The performances are arranged alphabetically by title and are documented by programs, flyers, interviews and performances on videotape along with a few publicity still photographs and scripts of his theatrical works.

Subseries 1.1: Playwright 1975-2007

Physical Description: 13 folders, 10 VHS videocasettes, 1 compact disc, 1 compact audiocassette tape.

Subseries Scope and Content

The Playwright subseries consists of programs, clippings, flyers, VHS videocassettes of interviews and some performances, along with a few scripts of Kearns' plays and monologues.

Box 1 : 1

A to Z 2001

Scope and Content Note

Flyer.

Box 1 : 1

Alive and Kicking 2003

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, flyers, programs, text of short speech.

Box 1 : 1

Attachments 1996

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, postcards.

Box 1 : 2

Barriers 2003

Scope and Content Note

Newsletter, program.

Blessings 2004

Box 1 : 2

Clippings, correspondence, press releases, programs 2004

Box 10 : 1

Title song on compact disc 2004

Box 1 : 2

Come Back 2002-2007

Scope and Content Note

Program, flyers.

Box 1 : 2

Complications 2002

Scope and Content Note

Based on La Ronde by Schnitzler. Flyers, programs

Homeless: A Street Opera 1992

Box 1 : 3

Program 1992

Box 10 : 2

Compact audiocassette tape 1992

Intimacies 1996-2001

Box 1 : 3

Card, clippings, flyers, program 1996-2001

Box 5 : 1

Theater review on an award plaque 1996

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 013

Interview by Karen Ocamb, Out & About circa 1994

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 016

Performance; St. Louis, Missouri 1992

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 020

Interview; KTVI, St. Louis, Missouri 1992

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 028

Interview; American Cable, St. Louis, Missouri 1992

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 017

Performance circa 1994

Box 1 : 3

Intimacies and Complications: A Retrospective of AIDS Monologues 2003

Scope and Content Note

Flyers, postcards.

Box 1 : 3

An Intimate Evening with Michael Kearns 1995-1998

Scope and Content Note

Flyers, programs.

Box 1 : 3

Kiss & Tell 1987

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Life Expectancies 2005

Box 1 : 3

Programs 2005

Box 4 : 1

Sign-in book 2005

Make Love Not War 2005

Box 1 : 4

Programs, reviews, postcards 2005

Box 7 : 1 (Oversize)

Poster 2005

Box 11 : 2

Publicity still photographs 2005

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 021

Performance 2005

More Intimacies 1990-1992

Box 1 : 4

Clipping 1990

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 023

Performance; Belvoir Street Theatre, Sydney, Australia 1992

My Name is Winona and I'm a Shoplifter 2002

Box 1 : 4

Clippings, flyers, press release 2002

Box 11 : 2

Publicity still photographs 2002

Box 1 : 4

Myron: A Fairy Tale in Black and White 1993

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Nine Lives 2004

Box 1 : 5

Clippings, postcard 2004

Box 7 : 1 (Oversize)

Poster 2004

Box 1 : 5

One Man, One Night, Too Much! 1999

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, flyers.

Box 1 : 5

Out & Out 1997

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Box 1 : 5

Robert's Memorial 2004

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, correspondence, flyer.

Rock 1992-1993

Box 1 : 5

Clippings, flyers, programs 1993

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 026

Performance and interview 1992

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 027

Performance circa 1992

Box 1 : 6

T-Cells and Sympathy: Monologues in the Age of AIDS performance 1995-2001

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, press release, program.

Box 1 : 6

Tell-Tale Kisses 1998

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, flyers, postcards, programs.

The Truth is Bad Enough 1983

Box 1 : 6

Clippings, scripts 1983

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 030

Performance, Pacific Overture Productions 1983

Box 1 : 7

Who's Afraid of Edward Albee? 1999

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, flyers, postcards, programs.

Subseries 1.2: Director 1984-2006

Physical Description: 4 folders, 1 VHS videocasette.

Subseries Scope and Content

The Director Series contains clippings and programs along with a few publicity still photographs and scripts from theatrical works directed by Kearns.

AIDS/US, AIDS/US II 1986-1990

Box 2 : 1

Award, flyers, clippings 1986-1990

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 004

AIDS/US II performance 1990

Box 2 : 1

Bathhouse Benediction 1984

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Being Positive 2007

Box 2 : 1

Postcard, program 2007

Box 7 : 1 (Oversize)

Poster 2007

Box 2 : 1

Beyond the Song: It's Not a Musical 2003

Scope and Content Note

Program.

Brothers Tellin' 1999-2000

Box 2 : 1

Clippings, flyers, postcard, program 1999-2000

Box 7 : 1 (Oversize)

Poster 1999-2000

Box 2 : 1

... But Stevie Nicks Understands (Part IV) 1999

Scope and Content Note

Flyers, programs.

Box 2 : 1

Elevator Sex 2006

Scope and Content Note

Program.

Box 2 : 1

Footsteps 2006

Scope and Content Note

Program.

Box 7 : 1 (Oversize)

Heroine 2000

Scope and Content Note

Poster.

Box 2 : 2

J for J 1999-2002

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, postcards, programs.

Jerker 1987-2006

Box 4 : 4

Clippings, flyers, programs 1987-2006

Box 11 : 2

Publicity still photographs 2006

Box 7 : 1 (Oversize)

Poster circa 1989

Box 2 : 2

Night Sweat 1985

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Box 2 : 2

The Porcelain Penelope Freak Show 2002-2003

Scope and Content Note

Postcards, program.

The Tina Dance 2006

Box 2 : 2

Clippings, postcards, program, script 2006

Box 11 : 2

Publicity still photographs 2006

Box 2 : 2

Trafficking in Broken Hearts 2000

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, postcards.

Box 2 : 2

The Very Bad Boy Next Door 1999

Scope and Content Note

Clipping.

Warren 1986-1988

Box 2 : 2

Award, flyers, programs, reviews 1987

Box 11 : 2

Photographs 1986-1988

Box 2 : 2

We Are One 1999

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Subseries 1.3: Actor 1975-2007

Physical Description: 8 folders, 10 VHS videocasettes, 1 oversize box.

Subseries Scope and Content

The subseries primarily consists of clippings and programs along VHS videocassette tapes and publicity still photographs of some of his theatrical performances and readings.

Box 2 : 3

Bill and Eddie 1999

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, flyers, postcards, programs.

Box 2 : 3

Body Double 1984

Camille 1993

Box 4 : 5

Clippings, programs 1993

Box 11 : 2

Performance still photographs and color transparency with negative 1993

Box 7 : 3 (Oversize)

Contact sheet print 1993

Box 2 : 3

Coming Home 1999

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, programs, text of short speech.

Box 2 : 3

Cootie Shots: Inoculations Against Bigotry circa 2000

Scope and Content Note

Clipping.

Dream Man 1987-2007

Box 2 : 4

Awards, clippings, postcard, programs, scripts 1987/2007

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 033

The Pride Playhouse Collection, Out and About Pictures 1991

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 034

News, reviews circa 1991

A Few Gay Men 2002

Box 2 : 5

Clippings 2002

Box 11 : 2

Publicity still photographs 2002

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 037

Gay Voices Gay Legends 2 1989

I Wish I Had Never Met You and I Was Meeting You Now circa 1987

Box 2 : 5

Program circa 1987

Mapcase drawer Michael Kearns

Poster circa 1987

Box 2 : 5

International Stud 1998

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Box 2 : 5

Jackie & Me 2006

Scope and Content Note

Clipping, program.

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 035

LA Tool & Die 1979

Life Goes On 1992

Box 2 : 5

Clippings 1992

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 015-016

Television episode 1992

Box 2 : 5

A Mother's Prayer 1995

Scope and Content Note

Clipping

Box 2 : 5

Movie Queen 2001

Scope and Content Note

Program

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 032

Nature, by William K. Haugse 2001

Queen of Angels 1992

Box 2 : 6

Flyers, music, script 1992

Box 11 : 2

James Carroll Pickett photographs 1992

Box 7 : 4 (Oversize)

Pitch fork prop (in two parts) 1992

Box 2 : 5

Rubicon circa 2001

Scope and Content Note

Postcard, script.

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 036

Seize the Day!: A Guide to Living with HIV 1993

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 001

Stop AIDS 1990

Scope and Content Note

Television advertising.

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 038

Superior Court circa 1988

Scope and Content Note

Reality-based courtroom drama.

Box 2 : 5

T-Shirts 1979

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Box 2 : 5

The Waltons 1975

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Readings 2000-2004

Box 2 : 7

Reading at ONE Institute & Archives 2001

Scope and Content Note

Newsletter.

Box 2 : 7

Readings at Spoken Interludes 1999-2000

Scope and Content Note

Flyers, programs.

Box 2 : 7

Reading at West Hollywood Book Fair 2004

Scope and Content Note

Program.

Subseries 1.4: Producer 2000-2006

Physical Description: 1 folder.

Series Scope and Content

Programs, flyers, and clippings from events and performances produced by Kearns and with Kearns assistance.

Box 2 : 8

After Words: Honoring Writers We Miss 2000

Scope and Content Note

Programs, flyers, clippings.

Box 2 : 8

Dream: the Lyrics & of Johnny Mercer 2002

Scope and Content Note

Programs.

Box 2 : 8

The Flatted Fifth 2001

Scope and Content Note

Postcards, program.

Box 2 : 8

Kurt Weill: The Centennial 2000

Scope and Content Note

Program.

Box 2 : 8

Love Letters 2005

Scope and Content Note

Program.

Box 2 : 8

Tales from the Row: It's a Tough Row to Hoe 2006

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, flyers.

Box 2 : 8

Tap Your Troubles Away!: The Words and Music of Jerry Herman 2001

Scope and Content Note

Program.

Series 2: Emcee, Model, and Speaker 1976-2006

Physical Description: 3 folders, 18 VHS videocasettes, 1 DVD.

Series Scope and Content

The subseries consists of invitations, programs, and videotapes of various events hosted or with appearances by Kearns. The events include promotional appearances for his productions and performances along with benefits and awareness raising events for charitable organizations. The subseries includes video tapes of several of Kearns' appearances on Get Used to It, a cable public affairs program produced by the City of West Hollywood, hosted by California Senator Sheila James Kuehl.

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 025

7:30 Report, segment February 2, 1993

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 019

The 10% Show, Chicago April 1990

Box 3 : 1

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences: Ribbon of Hope, Appearance 2001

Scope and Content Note

Invitation, program.

Box 3 : 1

AIDS Candlelight Memorial, Host 2001

Scope and Content Note

Postcard, program.

Box 3 : 1

AIDS Housing Santa Barbara, Reading 2002

Scope and Content Note

Program, invitation.

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 002

AIDS in Hollywood, Fox Entertainment News segments November 17, 1989

Box 7 : 2 (Oversize)

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Advertising model 2000

Scope and Content Note

Print advertising literature, newspaper advertising.

Box 4 : 6

Being Alive, Reading 1998

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, flyers.

Box 3 : 1

Business Alliance of Los Angeles (BALA), Guest speaker 2000

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Box 7 : 2 (Oversize)

Calendar model 2002

Scope and Content Note

Calendar images.

Box 3 : 1

Celebrating Jim Kepner's Life & the Past 50 Years of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Movement, Emcee (with Robin Tyler) 1998

Scope and Content Note

Program.

Box 4 : 6

Community Crisis & Help Line and Working Wonders, Contributing author/playwright 2002

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, flyers.

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 011

Des Moines, Iowa, television program 1986-1987

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 002 and 018

Entertainment Daily Journal, AIDS series 1991

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 020

Entertainment Tonight, HIV segement 1991

Box 4 : 6

Five Acres Boys' and Girls' Aid Society, Reading 2002

Scope and Content Note

Flyers.

Box 3 : 1

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Awards, special guest 1991

Scope and Content Note

Program.

Box 4 : 6

Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, Host and performer 1998-2001

Scope and Content Note

Announcement, photograph, postcards, poster.

Get Used to It 1998-2006

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 005

Voices of Our Lives: Michael Kearns , show #52 May 1998

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 006

Challenges in the Millennium, show #68 January 7, 2000

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 007

Out in the Industry, show #76 March 2, 2001

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 008

The One Institute, show #79 May 11, 2001

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 009

Experiencing Death, show #106 February 2002

Box 10 : 4

Eric Rofes 1954-2006, show #130, DVD November 2006

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 012

Heart to Heart: Two conversations between Robert Hales and Michael Kearns September 23, 1997

Box 4 : 6

Highways Performance Space, Benefit performance 1998

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Box 4 : 6

Jeff Griffith Gay & Lesbian Youth Center, Committee member 2000

Scope and Content Note

Invitation.

Box 3 : 1

Lambda Literary Awards Gala, Host committee 2002

Scope and Content Note

Program, invitation.

Box 4 : 6

Lamp Community, Guest director 2000-2001

Scope and Content Note

Programs.

Box 4 : 6

Liberty Hill Foundation, Host committee 2000

Scope and Content Note

Program.

VHS videotape 9 : 021

Los Angeles Gay Men's Chorus circa 1985

Scope and Content Note

Christmas program.

Box 4 : 6

National Stonewall Democratic Federation, Special guest 2000

Scope and Content Note

Invitation.

Box 4 : 6

No on 64, P.A.N.I.C. in Griffith Park, Special thanks 1986

Scope and Content Note

Program, ticket, literature.

VHS videotape 9 : 024

One in 10 People, show #3 no date

Box 4 : 6

Playwrights' Arena, Presenter 2001

Scope and Content Note

Program.

Box 4 : 6

Salk Institute for AIDS Research, Reading 1995

Scope and Content Note

Clipping.

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 029

The Tomorrow Show, "Male Hustlers" June 22, 1976

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 022

Tri-Cable, Milwaukee, Wisconsin no date

Scope and Content Note

Interview

Box : VHS videotape 9 : 029

Various television programs 1991

Series 3: Writings 1974-2005

Physical Description: 6 folders.

Series Scope and Content

The series consists of Kearns' non-theatrical works including poetry, articles, columns, editorials and letters to the editor along with clippings and flyers related to his published books.

Subseries 3.1: Author, Poet 1974-2005

Physical Description: 2 folders.

Subseries Scope and Content

The subseries contains primarily clippings and flyers related to Kearns' poetry and published works, including an article from the period of his portrayal as the author of the Happy Hustler.

Box 4 : 2

Acting = Life: An Actor's Life 1996

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Box 4 : 2

Gay Hollywood 1999

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Box 4 : 2

Getting Your Solo Act Together 1997

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Box 4 : 2

The Happy Hustler 1974

Scope and Content Note

Clippings.

Box 4 : 2

Life Expectancies: Monologues that Challenge 2005

Scope and Content Note

Sample book cover, program.

Box 4 : 2

O Solo Homo 1998

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, postcards, programs.

Box 4 : 2

The Solo Performer's Journey 2005

Scope and Content Note

Flyers, press release, sample book cover.

Box 4 : 2

T-Cells and Sympathy: Monologues in the Age of AIDS 1995-2001

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, flyers, press release.

Box 1 : 8

Theatrepoem circa 2000

Scope and Content Note

Typescript.

Box 4 : 2

Wanted: Widow's Assistant 1995

Scope and Content Note

Publishing agreement.

Box 1 : 8

Wartime circa 2000

Scope and Content Note

Postcard.

Subseries 3.2: Journalist, Columnist 1983-2005

Physical Description: 4 folders.

Subseries Scope and Content

The Subseries includes Kearns' articles and columns arranged by the publishing newspaper or magazine along with editorials, letters to the editor and some articles on family. He wrote on a variety of topics of interest to the gay and HIV+/AIDS communities as well as the performing arts. The file on family contains some of articles on his life as a parent.

Box 1 : 9

Back Stage West 2002

Edge, L.A. Edge, The Edge 1983-1998

Box 4 : 3

Articles, interviews, reviews 1983-1998

Box 4 : 3

Top Ten List 1996

Box 1 : 9

Frontiers 1998

Box 1 : 9

Glendale News-Press circa 1994

Box 4 : 3

In Magazine 2003-2005

Box 1 : 9

In Style for Men circa 1985

Box 4 : 3

LA Weekly 1998-2005

Box 1 : 9

Lambda Book Report 1999

Box 1 : 9

Los Angeles Times 1999

Box 1 : 9

Male Review circa 1987

Box 1 : 9

Paper 1999

Box 1 : 9

Unzipped 2001

Box 1 : 10

Editorials, letters to the editor 1999-2003

Box 1 : 11

Family 1997-2004

Scope and Content Note

Articles, correspondence, editorials.

Series 4: Awards, Commendations, and Honors 1987-2007

Physical Description: 5 folders.

Series Scope and Content

Awards, Commendations, and Honors Series consists of certificates and trophies for Kearns' achievements in theater and as an activist for gay, HIV+/AIDS, and other underserved communities.

Box 5 : 2

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California, Lesbian and Gay Rights Chapter, award plaque 1987

Box 3 : 2

Back Stage West Garland Awards 2000

Scope and Content Note

Program.

Box 3 : 2

California Senate 2004

Scope and Content Note

Certificate of recognition.

Box 7 : 3 (Oversize)

California Senate resolution 1992

Scope and Content Note

Certificate.

Box 8 : 1

Des Moines, Iowa 1987

Scope and Content Note

Key to the city.

Box 3 : 2

Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund 1999

Scope and Content Note

Victory award; fax.

Box 3 : 2

LA Weekly Queen of Angels award 2007

Scope and Content Note

Program.

Box 7 : 3 (Oversize)

Los Angeles City Council resolution 1987

Scope and Content Note

Certificate.

Box 3 : 2

Los Angeles City Council resolution 1998

Scope and Content Note

Clipping, flyer.

Box 3 : 2

Los Angeles City Council 2002

Scope and Content Note

Certificate of appreciation.

Box 5 : 3

Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle 1993

Scope and Content Note

Award plaque for distinguished achievement.

Box 3 : 2

Maddy Awards 2000

Scope and Content Note

Certificate for performance in Bill and Eddie.

Box 3 : 2

The Metro St. Louis AIDS Interfaith Network 1999

Scope and Content Note

Certificate for outstanding services.

Box 3 : 2

National Coming Out Day 1992

Scope and Content Note

Certificate.

Box 3 : 2

Playwrights' Arena 2002

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, programs.

Box 8 : 2

Robby Awards 1993

Scope and Content Note

Trophy for best actor, comedy, in Camille.

Box 3 : 2

The Robert Chesley Foundation playwriting award 2005

Scope and Content Note

Invitation.

Box 7 : 3 (Oversize)

St. Louis Mayor 1992

Scope and Content Note

Proclamation.

Box 7 : 3 (Oversize)

Source Theatre Company, board of trustees award 1991

Scope and Content Note

Certificate.

Series 5: Biographical 1972-2007

Physical Description: 13 folders, 1 VHS videocassette, 3 compact audiocassette tapes.

Series Scope and Content

The Series contains biographical information in the form of newspaper, magazine and other media interviews along with a VHS videotape of clips of some of his performances, personal correspondence, and limited information on Kearns' Artist Confronting AIDS organization and Michael Kearns' Workspace, later referred to as the Space at Fountain's End, his theatrical performance space.

Box 3 : 3

Clippings 1972-2007

Box 6 : 1-2

California Theatre Annual 1982-1983

Physical Description: 2 folders.

Box 11 : 1

Headshots, photographs 1980-2000

Box: VHS videotape 9 : 010

Video clips from performances circa 1995

Interviews on compact audiocassette tapes circa 1980

Box 10 : 3

KALW, San Francisco by Alan Farley 1976

Box 10 : 3

The Breakfast Show, The Edge circa 1980

Box 10 : 3

Out & Out, parts 1 and 2 circa 1980

Box 3 : 4

Correspondence - personal 1986-2003

Box 3 : 5-7

Proposals and undeveloped concepts circa 1990

Physical Description: 3 folders.

Box 3 : 8

Artists Confronting AIDS; 1990-1993

Scope and Content Note

Clippings, proclamation.

Michael Kearns' Workspace / Space at Fountain's End 2005-2006

Box 3 : 9

E-mail, flyers, press releases 2005

Box 3 : 10

Scrapbook 2005-2006

Box 3 : 11

Correspondence, flyers, postcards, programs, press releases 2006

Box 11 : 3

AIDSWatch installation photographs 2006

Description/Container List