Bernard Bragg collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RITDSA-0053

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Bernard Bragg collection focuses on the career of Bernard Bragg, especially as it pertains to the National Theatre of the Deaf. It also contains materials relating to the history of deaf theater. The collection contains: photographs, news clippings, newsletters, magazines, correspondence, playbills, scripts, and posters.

Dates

Creation: 1951-2008

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Born in 1928 in Brooklyn, New York, Bernard Bragg was introduced to theater at a young age. Bragg attended the New York School for the Deaf where one of his mentors was Robert Panara. After graduating from Gallaudet in 1952, he began working at the California School for the Deaf. Along with his teaching duties, Bragg directed student theater productions as well as shows for National Association of the Deaf conventions.

By the late 1960s, Bragg was approached by David Hays to help launch a deaf theater troupe which would eventually become the National Theater of the Deaf (NTD). Bragg spent ten years with NTD, 1967-1977. He returned to teaching, first as artist in residence at National Technical Institute for the Deaf at RIT, and then at Gallaudet.

Bragg has won many honors for his work, including a special Tony Award for Theatrical Excellence to the Actors of the National Theatre of the Deaf (1977), honorary doctorate from Gallaudet (1988), and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Federation of the Deaf (2001).

Extent

4 Linear Feet (4 File boxes)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Materials related to well-known deaf actor Bernard Bragg, with emphasis on his involvement with the National Theatre of the Deaf.

Arrangement

Materials are roughly arranged by format.

Physical Location

C.S. North, Shelves 212-214

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Accession number(s): 2011:075

The Bernard Bragg collection was donated to RIT in 2011. It was transferred to the Deaf Studies Archive in 2011 by Robert Baker of the NTID Dyer Arts Center.