Editing Theatre-in-the-round (section)

== Preserving the legacy ==
Theatre-in-the-round has significantly shaped modern performance practice. The following institutions, among others, actively preserve and provide access to archives that document the development, influence, and enduring legacy of this specific kind of theatre.

'''George Mason University – Arena Stage Archives'''

In [[Fairfax, Virginia]], [[George Mason University]] houses the largest archive dedicated to Arena Stage, a pioneer in American theatre-in-the-round. This extensive collection spans over 50 years and includes photographs, production notebooks, scrapbooks, playbills, oral histories, and handwritten correspondence. Housed in the Fenwick Library, the archive occupies 260 cubic feet (7.4 m³) or 440 linear feet (130 m) of material, providing an invaluable resource for scholars and theatre practitioners.

'''University of Minnesota – Performing Arts Archives'''

Housed within the [[Elmer L. Andersen Library|Elmer L. Andersen Library,]] the [[University of Minnesota]]’s Performing Arts Archives offers a comprehensive record of the state's theatrical heritage. Established in 1971, the archive preserves materials from both professional and amateur organizations in theatre, music, and dance. Key collections include the Guthrie Theater, Children’s Theatre Company, Theater Mu, and Theatre de la Jeune Lune. Of particular relevance to theatre-in-the-round are the 1,500 scenic backdrop renderings and design materials from Twin Cities Scenic Design Studios and the Holak Collection, which document staging formats and scenic experimentation.

'''Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research (WCFTR)'''

Located within the [[Wisconsin Historical Society]] in [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]], the WCFTR is one of the world’s premier repositories for entertainment industry archives. It holds over 300 collections, including scripts, photographs, business records, and more than 20,000 film and television recordings. The archive emphasizes American film (1930–1960), popular theatre (1940s–1950s), and early television (1940s–1970s). While not exclusively focused on theatre-in-the-round, WCFTR’s diverse holdings include materials relevant to arena staging and its influence on American performance traditions.

'''ArenaPAL Performing Arts Photo Library'''

Based in [[London]] and founded in 1997, [[ArenaPAL]] is a major digital archive for performing arts photography. The library holds over 10 million images, with 900,000 available online, and represents more than 350 collections from renowned photographers and institutions. Its holdings span theatre, opera, dance, and music, with significant visual documentation of theatre-in-the-round, arena staging, and central staging. ArenaPAL’s broad visual coverage makes it an essential resource for researchers studying nontraditional stage configurations.