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© 2012 University of Chicago Library
Box 48 contains student material and is restricted for 80 years. The rest of the collection is open for research.
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When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Prass, Marjorie Whitney. Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Marjorie Whitney Prass was born on Sept. 11, 1918. She began dancing as a child, and by nine was performing in recitals. She also played the piano, and in the eighth grade was chosen to perform in a Chicago Symphony Orchestra educational outreach concert. Prass grew up in Riverside, IL, and in 1935 entered the University of Chicago. She was active in dance and theatrical performances at the University, most notably the Mirror Review, an annual women's dance revue. It was begun as an answer to the all-male Blackfriars musical comedy troupe.
While at the University, Marjorie met future husband Norman W. Prass. He was an avid photographer, and many of the photographs of Marjorie in costume and dancing were taken by Norman. Most of the costumes in the collection were made by Marjorie's mother, Mathilde Muller Whitney.
Prass graduated in 1941, with a degree in History. She and Norman eventually moved back to Riverside, where she lived for most of the rest of her life. Prass remained an active member of the Chicago Dance Council and the Dance for Victory Committee, and an active patron of Chicago dance and theatrical performances. She died on April 8, 2009.
This collection contains papers, photographs, costumes and ephemera belonging to Marjorie Whitney Prass. Most of the paper part of the collection consists of programs from dance performances in Chicago but there are also choreography notes for many dances, and a series of photographs of Prass. The bulk of the collection, though, is comprised of over 200 pieces of costume clothing, accessories and props. There are both theatrical and dance costumes, many of them ethnic or folk costumes. The collection also contains parts of costumes, scarves, shoes, headpieces, hair flowers, and other accessories, as well as castanets, bells, and tambourines. The majority of the costumes were made for Prass by her mother, Mathilde Muller Whitney, for performances at the University of Chicago. Most items date from the 1930s and 1940s, with most costume pieces from the 1930s.
This series includes personal papers of Marjorie Whitney Prass, including many pages of choreography notes and instructions for various dances. There are also numerous newspaper clippings (most of them pictures of dancers and movie stars), and many dance and theatre programs, almost all of them from performances in Chicago. Most items date from the 1930s and 1940s.
This series contains photographs of Marjorie Whitney Prass in costume, and a few of her in performance. There are several portrait and graduation photographs as well, and a set of pictures of her husband, Norman Prass. An avid photographer, Norman took most of the pictures of Marjorie.
This series contains dance and theatre costumes, costume components and accessories, most worn or used by Marjorie Whitney Prass. Subseries 1 contains actual articles of clothing, with dresses and complete costumes coming first in the arrangement. Most of the ensembles described as costumes are folk or ethnic costumes. There are also several children's costumes. These are followed by individual pieces (blouses, skirts, scarves, etc.), bodysuits and bloomers. Subseries 2 contains accessories and props, including headpieces, fabric flowers, shoes, fans, castanets, tambourines, and bells. Subseries three contains fabric scraps, sewing notions and unfinished projects.
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This series contains oversize paper items, including posters, newspaper clippings, costume patterns, and a large class reunion photograph.
This series contains restricted student material. It is restricted for 80 years.