Irene Corey Papers

The Irene Corey Papers consist primarily of materials documenting Corey's work as a makeup artist and theatrical designer, including her work on such well-known plays as The Book of Job and The Tempest and her two books, The Mask of Reality (1968) and The Face is a Canvas (1990). Also included are costume and prop pieces, correspondence, items showing Corey's work as an educator, and biographical materials.

Series I: Biographical contains resumes, biographical sketches, photographs, notes, a scrapbook, calendars, financial records, and other materials documenting Irene Corey's life and work. The majority of these items focus on Corey's career as a makeup artist and set designer, collaborations with John Barr, and work with the Everyman Players.

Series II: Correspondence houses letters between Corey and such correspondents as Orlin Corey, Sara Spencer, and Mark Medoff. Subjects discussed include productions of such plays as The Book of Job and The Butterfly and makeup for the theatre.

Series III: Teaching documents Corey's work at the Arts Magnet High School, her appointments at such academic institutions as Centenary College and Georgetown College, workshops and lectures (usually on the subjects of makeup and design) presented around the United States, and class and lecture notes. Research regarding art history is also included.

Series IV: Design houses makeup charts, photographs, scripts, floor plans, financial information, correspondence, renderings, notes, programs, schedules, and other materials documenting Corey's work as a theatrical designer and makeup artist. Sub-Series A through Sub-Series C chronicle her work in the theatre with such organizations as the Everyman Players, the Dallas Theater Center, Centenary College, and Georgetown College. Among the plays represented are Alice in Wonderland, The Book of Job, The Butterfly, A Christmas Carol, Electra, The Great Cross Country Race, The Towers of the Brazos, The Tempest, and Siege! The Battle of Vicksburg. Sub-Series D and Sub-Series E show Corey's work on the film The Passage and Sub-Series F documents her contributions to such television shows as Hare's Hollow and Pupples. Sub-Series G represents Corey's work on various commercial projects, and Sub-Series H and Sub-Series I document her participation in Expectations: Creators of the Unusual (a collaboration between John Barr, Irene Corey, and Susan Fox) and Irene Corey Design Associates.

Series V: Publications by Corey consists primarily of materials documenting her The Mask of Reality and The Face is a Canvas. Also included are various articles and poems.

Series VI: Reference Materials houses publications and excerpts from publications that Corey collected for reference purposes on such subjects as fabric, lighting, makeup, creating forms, patterns, puppets, wigs, historical fashions, costumes from a variety of cultures, stage design, theatrical scenery, and art history.

Series VII: Slides and Series VIII: Moving Images house color transparencies and motion pictures documenting Corey's work as a theatrical designer and teacher. Of particular interest are the slides showing her work on such plays as The Book of Job, The Butterfly, Electra, The Great Cross Country Race, Pilgrim's Progress, Reynard the Fox, and The Tempest. Other images document Corey's lectures and work by various of her students. The slides have been digitized and are available on PRISM as the Irene Corey Theatrical Design Image Collection.

Series X: Costumes, Series XI: Masks, and Series XII: Props house costume pieces that Corey designed and created for such productions as The Book of Job, The Tempest, and Great God Brown. Series XIII: Personal Clothing houses a jean jacket that John Barr may have made for Corey.

Series IX: Oversize and Series XIV: Map Case Drawers house materials corresponding to subjects documented elsewhere in the collection that are larger than 8.5" x 14".