National Museum of Theatre

[Simon Damon]

Posted: 4/14/14 at 12:44am

Why doesn't the Smithsonian have a National Museum of Theatre in New York it would be so interesting having so many artefacts from around the world and new York and London to see how theatre has changed and progressed or sunk. I am just surprised that there is no national museum.

Thoughts
BTW I know the Met has costumes but I do think it could have different types of theatre from around the world with costumes and set theatres and actors and actresses from Broadway and West End and around the world teaching kids



Updated On: 4/14/14 at 12:44 AM

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 4/14/14 at 2:16am

For the same reason they don't have a National Museum of Motion Pictures or of Television or of Radio. It's not the Smithsonian's charter to develop individual museums on every facet of American culture or entertainment but to have large museums with wide ranging appeal covering broad topics like Natural History, American History, Art and Aerospace. Several New York museums have some decent holdings of pictures, recordings and other items related to theater like the Museum of the City of New York and The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. Some of it is even on-line. But a museum just dedicated solely to theater would more than likely have to be privately developed and funded. I'm sure if it was felt to be commercially viable, someone would have pursued it by now.

[felipenor]

Posted: 4/14/14 at 2:19pm

I think there could be a national museum dedicated to American culture in general (music, cinema, theater, etc) since culture has always been one of the biggest things America is known for. I'm quite sure such a museum in NYC would always be crowded with tourists.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/14/14 at 4:33pm

If NYC can have a Museum of Sex, then they should be able to have a museum centered around theater.

Before the Roundabout got ahold of Studio 54, I had always hoped that someone would turn that into a museum dedicated to Studio 54 or disco music or the 1970s.

[Simon Damon]

Posted: 4/14/14 at 6:07pm

So maybe a museum of American history could have a wing? but honesty a museum dedicated to theatre would be great.

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 4/14/14 at 7:26pm

"So maybe a museum of American history could have a wing?"

If you contacted them and offered to sponsor it, I'm sure they would be receptive.