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Chris Parry Papers
MSS 0686
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Table of contents
Creator:
Parry, Chris, 1952-2007
Title: Chris Parry Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1975 - 2006
Extent:
17.00 linear feet
(40 archives boxes and 1 oversize folder)
Abstract: The papers of Chris Parry, Tony Award-winning theatre lighting designer and University of California, San Diego, faculty.
The materials illustrate his extensive production career for both stage and film lighting design from 1975-2006 and as a lighting
design instructor. The bulk of the papers are production notebooks containing notes, schematic drawings, playbills, color
samples, and photographs. Materials also include reviews and slides of the productions, as well as biographical materials.
Repository:
University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
La Jolla, California 92093-0175
Collection number: MSS 0686
Language of Material:
Collection materials in English
Collection is open for research.
Not Available
Chris Parry Papers, MSS 0686. Mandeville Special Collections Library, UCSD.
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Chris Parry, born in the United Kingdom on May 23,1952, was an acclamied transatlantic theatre and opera lighting designer
originally from England and resided in San Diego. He taught lighting design in the University of California, San Diego, Theatre
and Dance Department from 1988-2006. Trained in England, he designed internationally for more than 30 years, earning the
Tony Award, the British Olivier Award, and 25 major awards and nominations including the New York Drama Desk Award and the
Los Angeles Drama Critics Award. His work included 160 British and American regional theatre and opera designs, as well as
several Broadway productions, a section of the film "Renaissance Man", and several retail design products in San Diego. Among
his credits was The Who's "Tommy", directed by Des McAnuff, honoring him with the Tony Award. Other highlights of his career
include 24 productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), lighting design for "The Blue Angel", "The Secret Garden"
and "A Midsummer Night's Dream". He also worked with the Royal National Theatre in England, the Los Angeles Opera, the La
Jolla Playhouse, and the Opera Theatre of Lucca in Italy. He was presented with the Lighting Designer of the Year Award in
1994 by Lighting Dimensions.
Chris Parry died on January 16, 2007.
Scope and Content of Collection
Papers of Chris Parry, Tony Award winning theatrical lighting director and UCSD faculty in the department of theatre and dance.
The bulk of the collection comprises production notebooks containing all aspects of lighting design from concept to production
for stage plays Parry developed from 1979-2006. The materials include notes, sketches, scripts, schematic drawings, playbills,
and photographic slides. Additionally the files contain reviews of productions and miscellaneous biographical materials.
The papers are arranged in four series: 1) LIGHTING DESIGN NOTEBOOKS, 2) REVIEWS OF PRODUCTIONS, 3) SLIDES OF PRODUCTIONS,
and 4) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS.
SERIES 1: LIGHTING DESIGN NOTEBOOKS
The LIGHTING DESIGN NOTEBOOKS are a compilation of documents involving the lighting techniques and procedures for stage productions
Parry assisted and facilitated from 1977-2006. These documents consist of lighting schematics, notes, color samples, drawings,
schedules, and scripts. The folders are arranged chronologically.
SERIES 2: REVIEWS OF PRODUCTIONS
The files contain published reviews of theatre productions Parry was associated with, either as an actor or technical support
and direction, dating from 1975-2003. The folders are arranged chronologically.
SERIES 3: SLIDES OF PRODUCTIONS
The SLIDES OF PRODUCTIONS are 35mm slides of various theatrical production views, arranged alphabetically by title.
SERIES 4: MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS
Arranged alphabetically, the MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS series contains biographical documents including newspaper clippings,
awards, miscellaneous memorabilia, and teaching materials from the UCSD Theatre and Dance Department.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Parry, Chris, 1952-2007 -- Archives