Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

James F. Coakley was an assistant professor in the Department of Speech at the University of Michigan from 1966 to1971. Focusing mainly in theatre and literary interpretation, he was responsible for directing and managing many of the plays that were put on by the University Players during his time at the University of Michigan. Notable productions include The Homecoming, Lysistrata, Much Ado About Nothing, and Arthur Miller's After the Fall. Includes photographs from a 1967 production of After the Fall where Arthur Miller was present. Also scrapbooks, photos, and slides from other productions by the University of Michigan's University Players during 1966-1971.

The collection provides some documentation of plays Coakley staged with the University Players, notably Arthur Millers After the Fall, and lecture notes for courses he taught. The collection is organized into three series: "After the Fall", Photographic Slides, Speech 230 "The Arts of the Theatre" and Scrapbooks.

Philip Kerr, a professional actor, taught theatre at the University of Michigan from 1984 to 2012. In addition to teaching courses in the Department of Theatre and Drama, he directed many productions put on by the department. This collection includes material documenting these productions and his role as a faculty member.

The Philip Kerr Papers document Kerr's time at the University of Michigan as a professor in the Department of Theatre and Drama. They primarily contain records and publications from productions in which Kerr was director or an actor, as well as administrative records reflecting Kerr's role and experiences as a faculty member within the Department of Theatre and Drama, especially his efforts to improve the quality of the department, such as the establishment of the Bachelor in Fine Arts degree program. The collection is arranged into five series: Biographical, Correspondence, Photographs, Productions, and Topical.

Professor of speech communication and theatre at the University of Michigan. Correspondence and other materials relating in part to his interest in university theatre productions.

The William P. Halstead papers consist of correspondence, clippings, theater programs and other materials relating to his work in the Speech Department and to his interest in university theater productions. (Halstead bound most of his papers in chronological order. The bound volumes and additional unbound materials are separated into five series: Personal, Production Materials, University of Michigan, Department of Speech, Miscellaneous, and Photographs.