Guide to the Catherine Stadem papers
1927-2019
Collection number: HMC-0879.
Creator: Stadem, Catherine.
Title: Catherine Stadem papers.
Dates: 1927-2019, bulk 1982-2006.
Volume of collection: 4.0 cubic feet and 4.85 GB.
Language of materials: Materials in this collection are in English.
Collection summary: Papers of an Anchorage author and local theatre critic.
Biographical note:
Catherine Stadem was born in Denver, Colorado in 1938. She moved to Anchorage, Alaska in 1957, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Alaska Anchorage in the 1980s. In 1997, she completed a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Nonfiction from UAA. Stadem worked for the Anchorage Times from 1983 until its closure in 1992. While at the Anchorage Times, she worked as a freelance theatre critic, staff writer, and assistant editorial page editor. Stadem has also written her own plays and has been active in the local theatre community. In 2006, she completed writing a history of theatre productions in Anchorage.
Collection description:
The collection contains Stadem’s personal records and review files, which include playbills Stadem used to write her theatre review columns. The collection also contains the research files, correspondence, photographs, and publication information for The History of Theatre in Anchorage, Alaska, 1915-2005 written by Stadem. Stadem’s writings include papers she wrote while she was in graduate school, as well as the play The Cost of Living, which she wrote with Lily Ann Nielson, and magazine articles. The collection also includes audiotapes of Stage Talk, a radio program on KSKA which Stadem hosted, a portion of Anchorage Community Theatre’s production of the musical, “Toyon of Alaska,” and materials related to the Valdez Theatre Conference.
Arrangement: The collection is arranged in the following series:
Series 1. Personal records; 1971-1995
Series 2. Review files; 1984-2006
Series 3. Publications and writings; 1982-2018
Series 4. Anchorage theatre history research files; 1927-2009
Series 5. Audio recordings; 1967, 2002-2005
Series 6. Valdez Theatre Conference records; 1993-2004
Alternative formats: The collection contains some material in electronic format. Please consult archivists for access.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Archives holds copyright to the materials authored by Catherine Stadem. Materials not authored by Catherine Stadem may be subject to copyright not held by the Archives.
Preferred citation: Catherine Stadem papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Works used in preparation of inventory: Biographical information provided by Catherine Stadem.
Acquisition note: The collection was initially donated to the Archives by Catherine Stadem in 2006, with additions made in 2013, 2016, 2018 and 2019. A deed of gift was signed by Stadem in 2006.
Processing information: This collection was described by Jeffrey Sinnott in 2007. The collection was converted to current standard by Veronica Denison in 2016, with additional donations added to the collection and described by Denison in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019. The 2018 addition of electronic records was described by Gwen Higgins in 2018. The 2021 addition was described by Becky Butler in 2023.
Container list:
Series 1: Personal records; 1971-1995. 0.35 cubic feet.
This series contains Catherine Stadem’s Anchorage Times notebook, newspaper clippings regarding her various awards and plays, personal photographs, and awards.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1/1 | Times journal notebook | 1990-1991 |
| 1/2 | Newspaper clippings: Stadem’s awards and plays | 1971-1992 |
| 1/3 | Photographs: portraits of Stadem; Cathi Kippenhan, Mrs. Ruth O’Buck and Ruby Pappas next to barbecue grill before Alaska Ninety-Nine’s 25th Annual Powder Puff Derby; Stadem and Kay Kennan of the Alaska Rescue Group at Barney’s Sports Chalet; National Playwrights Conference in Waterford, Connecticut; Stadem and Caroline Kramer in elementary classroom | 1971-1992 |
| 4/23 | Stadem’s pilot flight record and log book (includes pilot’s license certificates), and document on Stadem’s aviation history | undated, 1965-1980 |
| 1/4 | Awards | 1987-1995 |
| Oversize folder | C.B. Blethen Memorial Award for distinguished reporting, awarded to Catherine Stadem | undated |
Series 2: Review files; 1984-2006. 0.75 cubic feet.
This series contains review drafts and playbills Stadem used for her review columns. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1/5 | Playbills | 1984-1985 |
| 1/6-7 | Playbills and review drafts | 1991-1992 |
| 1/8 | Tom Bodett review and response; Anchorage play schedule | 1993 |
| 1/9 | Playbills and review response | 1994 |
| 1/10-12 | Playbills and review drafts | 1995-1997 |
| 1/13 | Playbills | 1998 |
| 1/14 | Playbills and review drafts | 1999 |
| 1/15 | Review drafts | 2000 |
| 1/16 | Playbills | 2000 |
| 1/17 | Playbills, correspondence, and notes | 2001 |
| 1/18 | Playbills and notes | 2002 |
| 1/19-20 | Playbills | 2003-2004 |
| 1/21 | Playbills and correspondence | 2005 |
| 1/22 | Playbills | 2006 |
| 1/23 | Critics Quarterly | 1989-1999 |
Series 3: Publications and writings; 1982-2018. 1.0 cubic feet.
This series consists of publications and writings. A majority of the series contains materials related to The Cost of Living, a play written by Lily Ann Nielsen and Catherine Stadem. This series also contains Stadem’s master’s thesis, college papers, magazine articles, and the records of a journalism exchange program Stadem undertook in 1989.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1/24 | Student Showcase paper on James and Nora Joyce; written for English 642 B, University of Alaska Anchorage | 1993 |
| 1/25 | “My Story – His Story: Mystery and History of a Writing Heritage”; autobiographical paper written for English 671, University of Alaska Anchorage | 1996 April 30 |
| 1/26-28 | Master’s thesis drafts: “Getting Down on My Belly” | 1997 |
| Digital storage | “The mini-memoir” by Catherine Stadem | 2019 May 20 |
| 2/1-2 | Stages: A History of Theatre in Anchorage, Alaska; By Catherine Stadem | 2006 |
| 2/3 | Critiques of theatre history | 2006 |
| 2/4 | Cost of Living: Women’s Run grant | 1996 |
| 2/5 | Cost of Living: Hospice of Anchorage annual report | 1991 |
| 2/6 | Cost of Living: notes and programs | 1990-1992 |
| 2/7 | Cost of Living: interviews and transcripts | 1989-1992 |
| 2/8 | Cost of Living: productions | 1992-1994 |
| 2/9-10 | Cost of Living: reviews and news articles | 1992-1997 |
| 2/11, OS Folder | Beauty and the Breast/Cost of Living: programs and fliers | circa 1997-2018 |
| 2/12 | Cost of Living: Lilly Nielson correspondence | 1994-1998 |
| 2/13 | Cost of Living: general correspondence; contributors | undated, 1992-1994 |
| 2/14-18 | Cost of Living: scripts | 1992-2002, circa 2018 |
| 2/19 | Cost of Living: interview audiotapes | circa 1992 |
| 2/20 | Cost of Living Videotape: Cyrano’s theatre performance | 1992 |
| 2/21 | Cost of Living: rewrites, history of rewrites, original stage directions, production documents, performance at The Alaska Club in Wasilla, Alaska | 2013 |
| 2/22 | Cost of Living: interviews with survivors from Mat-su Valley, news articles, Thank-you notes | 2012-2013, 2018 |
| 2/23 | “Chevak: A small village in Alaska speaks with a loud voice”; article in English and Russian | 1990 |
| 2/24 | Magazine articles | 1990, 1993-1995 |
| 4/12 | October | 1982 |
| 4/13 | Peggy and materials regarding the staged reading of Peggy at Works by Women including correspondence and press releases | 1982 |
| 4/14 | Morning Thunder | 1982 |
| 4/15 | Carol | 1982 |
| 4/16 | Nine Ways | 1982 |
| 4/17 | Weaving | 1983 |
| 4/18 | Kiss Me Once Again | 1983 |
| 4/19 | Dance For Me | 1983 |
| 4/20 | How to Survive in the Woods | 1985 |
| 4/21 | Apologies to the Dead (By Catherine Stadem and Deborah Small) | 1984 |
| 4/22
Digital storage |
Anchorage Centennial Project: The Sheba Affair scripts and video recording of play, photographs, research on characters | 2015 |
| 4/24 | Photographs: Alaska Press Club USSR (Russia) trip | 1989 |
| 4/25 | Records of USSR trip with Alaska Press Club | 1989 |
| 4/26 | Reporter’s notebooks from USSR trip | 1989 July-September |
| 4/27 | Diary from USSR trip | 1989 |
| 4/28 | Telex roll of Anchorage Times stories from USSR trip | 1990 |
Series 4: Anchorage theatre history research files; 1927-2009. 1.2 cubic feet.
This series contains materials that Stadem used for her research on the history of theatre in Alaska for her publication of The History of Theatre in Anchorage, Alaska, 1915-2005.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 2/25 | Call book and notes | undated |
| 2/26 | Biographies: local theatre | 1974, 1981, 2004 |
| 2/27 | Alaska Festival Theatre: Mary Decker, correspondence, interview notes, production list | 2005-2006 |
| 2/28-30 | Alaska Repertory Theatre: correspondence, notes, clippings, and copied materials, demise | 1986-2004 |
| 2/31 | Alaska Repertory Theatre: Broadway Bound: playbill and publicity | 1988 |
| 2/32 | Anchorage Community College Theatre Workshop: original and copied playbills | 1957-1958 |
| 2/33 | Anchorage Community Theatre (ACT): playbills, calendar, correspondence, notes, copied materials | 1959-1961, 1995-2004 |
| 2/34 | Anchorage early days: notes and copied materials | 2003 |
| 2/35 | Anchorage Light Opera Theatre: production lists, correspondence, interview transcript, news release, clippings and copied materials | 2003-2004 |
| 2/36 | Anchorage Little Theatre: notes, playbills, clippings, membership lists, article drafts and copied materials | 1927-1983 |
| 2/37 | Anchorage Musical Theatre: copy of playbill | 1992 |
| 2/38 | Richard A. Benavides (Arctic Moon Stage Company): correspondence, interview notes, company history and copied materials | undated, 1980, 2004 |
| 2/39 | Linda Billington: correspondence, notes, productions list | 2003 |
| 2/40 | Black Arts Alaska: productions list and correspondence | 2004 |
| 2/41 | Frank Brink (Anchorage Community Theatre): correspondence, clippings, production information, playbill, biographical materials and copied materials | 1959-2004 |
| 2/42 | Carnival Civic Theatre: excerpt of Anchorage Times article | 1971 |
| 2/43 | Cyrano’s Off Center Playhouse and Eccentric Theatre Company (Jerry Harper): correspondence, clippings and memorial items | 2005 |
| 2/44 | Robert DeLoach: interview notes | 2003 |
| 2/45 | Carol Anne Harrison Dodd: interview notes and copied materials | 2004 |
| 2/46 | Eagle River Fine Arts Academy Calendar: history | 1994-1995 |
| 2/47 | Early and mid-century notes | 2003 |
| 2/48 | Edgeware Productions (David P. Edgecombe and Elizabeth Ware): correspondence, internet information, resumes | 2005 |
| 2/49 | Elmendorf Theatre Guild: production lists, notes, copies of clippings | undated, 2004 |
| 2/50 | Fort Richardson Players and Arctic Moon: production lists, playbill, correspondence, notes, and copied materials | undated, 1963, 2004 |
| 2/51 | “Godspell” 1974: correspondence | 2004 |
| 2/52 | James Grandjean and Jeffrey Maybrook: correspondence, production list | 2003-2004 |
| 2/53 | “Hair” tour of 1972: correspondence with Patric D’Eimon | 2003 |
| 2/54 | Ev Harris: correspondence | 2003 |
| 3/1 | Lorene Harrison: programs, playbills, clippings and copied materials | 1928-1976 |
| 3/2 | David Haynes (Synergy): correspondence, notes, productions lists | 2004 |
| 3/3 | Kokopelli Theatre Company: production lists | undated |
| 3/4, Digital storage | Bruce Marcus (military chapter): correspondence and compact disc | 2005 |
| 3/5 | Military chapter: rough draft | 2004 |
| 3/6 | James Morrison: correspondence, productions list | 2003 |
| 3/7 | Linda Nelson: correspondence | 2004 |
| 3/8 | Lily Nielson: correspondence and copied materials | 2003 |
| 3/9 | Out North: letter, correspondence, interview notes, notes, productions list and copied materials | undated, 2004-2006 |
| 3/10 | Robert Pond and Anchorage Community Theatre: interview notes, clippings, productions list and invitation | 2000, 2003 |
| 3/11 | Robert Pond; A History of Community Theatre in Anchorage, Alaska, 1946-1976: thesis draft plus notes, clippings and productions list | 1980 |
| 3/12 | Ann Reddig (Red Ram and One a Year Theatre Company): correspondence, interview notes, notes and productions lists | 2004 |
| 3/13 | Jack Roderick: interview notes | 2003 |
| 3/14 | John Strohmeyer: correspondence, article regarding Stadem’s book | 2006 |
| 3/15 | Synergy: playbills, correspondence, interview notes, productions list | undated, 1983, 2002-2004 |
| 3/16 | Theatre Alliance: contacts list | 1995 |
| 3/17 | Theatre Guild; brochure, correspondence, notes, interview notes, productions list and copied materials | 2003-2005 |
| 3/18 | TOAST Theatre: brochure, letter, correspondence, productions list | undated, 1998, 2004 |
| 3/19 | Treasures of Sight and Sound: correspondence, notes, interview notes, productions list and copied materials | 2003-2005 |
| 3/20 | UAA Theatre: playbills, correspondence, interview notes, productions list and copied materials | 1983-2003 |
| 3/21 | University of Alaska Anchorage/Alaska Methodist University/Alaska Pacific University: correspondence, interview notes and productions lists | 2003-2004 |
| 3/22 | Venues (Performing Arts Center): Anchorage Daily News article | 1981 |
| 3/23-24 | Jack Wandell: correspondence, interview notes, notes, productions list, clippings and copied materials | 1956-1959, 2003-2004 |
| 3/25 | We Call It A.R.T.: correspondence, productions lists and copied materials | 2005 |
| 3/26 | Whale Fat Follies: clippings | 1986, 1993, 2003, 2005 |
| 3/27 | Mary Lou Wilson materials (Elmendorf Theatre Guild): playbills, scripts, rehearsal schedules, clippings and photographs; 5 black and white prints; 6 color prints | 1958-1961 |
| 3/28-34 | Publication of “The History of Theatre in Anchorage, Alaska-1915-2005:” Edwin Mellen Press, preface, peer reviews, bibliography, dedication, abstract | circa 2009 |
| 3/35, Digital storage | CDs: photographs and clips used for publication and drafts | circa 2009 |
| 3/36-57 | Photographs and image release forms | circa 2009 |
Series 5: Audio recordings; 1967, 2002-2005. 0.20 cubic feet.
This series contains 12 audiocassettes of Stage Talk, a radio program hosted by Stadem,as well as an interview of Stadem. These programs were produced by KSKA/KAKM. A majority of the audiotapes are 60 minutes long. This series also contains the “Tyon of Alaska” reel III, given to Catherine Stadem by Lorene Harrison. “Toyon of Alaska” was a musical production by Anchorage Community theatre. This reel contains the following acts and performances: Preparation for the Ball II; Minuet and Scene Change; Duet (Irina and Yanovsky); I Feel the Cold Wind Blowing (Baranov); and Act III conclusion.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 3/58 | KSKA: Stage Talk | 2002 |
| 3/59 | KSKA: Stage Talk | 2003 May-June |
| 3/60 | KSKA: Stage Talk | 2003 July-August |
| 3/61 | KSKA: Stage Talk, interview | 2004 August, 2005 January-February |
| 3/62 | “Tyon of Alaska” (5 inch reel, 7.5 ips, approximately 12 minutes) | 1967 |
Series 6: Valdez Theatre Conference papers; 1993-2004. 0.5 cubic feet.
This series consists of materials relating to the Valdez Theatre Conference and Catherine Stadem’s involvement. The Valdez Theatre Conference was formerly known as Prince William Sound Community College Theatre Conference, the PWSCC Edward Theatre Conference, and Last Frontier Theatre Conference.
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 3/63 | Booklets/programs | 1993-1997 |
| 3/64 | Correspondence: Jo Ann McDowell; photograph of Stadem with Inge Morath | 1994, 1996 |
| 3/65 | PWSCC Edward Albee Theatre Conference Play Lab: lists of plays, play writes, Play Lab panelists, and Stadem’s notes | 1997 |
| 3/66 | Clippings and articles: regarding August Wilson; Play Lab | 1997-1998, 2000 |
| 3/67 | Press packet information on background story | 1996-1998 |
| 3/68 | Press coverage of the 1998 conference | 1998 |
| 4/1 | News/press releases; facsimile transmittal receipts | 1998 |
| 4/2 | Reprints: New York Times, Anchorage Daily News on 1999 conference | 1999 |
| 4/3 | Booklets/programs: Conference and Play Lab | 1999-2000 |
| 4/4 | Photographs: by Colby Kullman from the 1999 conference | 1999 |
| 4/5 | Stadem’s notes: Play Lab, conference budget | 1999-2000 |
| 4/6 | Correspondence: Jo Ann McDowel | 1999 |
| 4/7 | Faxes: drafts for ads in Dramatist Guild newsletter, Stadem biography | 1998-2000 |
| 4/8 | Invitation: 1999 conference | 1999 |
| 4/9 | Programs, poster, and call for plays: 1999 and 2000 Conferences | 1999-2000 |
| 4/10 | Clippings and articles: December 1998 issue of The Writer’s Chronicle; Conference advertisements, 2000 Conference | 1998-2000 |
| 4/11 | Program, photographs, articles | 2001, 2004 |