Sylvia O'Brien Papers
Call Number
Dates
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
Sylvia O'Brien (1924-2006) was a Dublin-born, New York-based actress who starred in Broadway theater productions, as well as commercials and television programs. A member of Actor's Equity Association, the Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), O'Brien appeared in numerous Broadway productions, including a role as Mrs. Peace in the 20th anniversary production of My Fair Lady. This collection consists of diaries, playbills, photographs, correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings, original writings, and scripts for various performances. The majority of the collection documents her professional career as an actress, including contracts, photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, a large collection of playbills, and files on individual productions she participated in. The collection also documents her personal life, including diaries, correspondence, a large number of personal photographs and photograph albums, and her original poetry and short stories.
Biographical Note
Sylvia O'Brien (1924-2006) was a Dublin-born, New York-based actress who starred in Broadway theater productions, as well as commercials and television programs. O'Brien was born in the Rathmines suburb of Dublin, Ireland in 1924 and emigrated to the United States in 1959 following her involvement with the travelling Irish Festival Singers. In 1959, she married Richard Seadar, the American road manager for the Irish Festival Singers tour. A member of Actor's Equity Association, the Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), O'Brien appeared in numerous Broadway productions, including a role as Mrs. Peace in the 20th anniversary production of My Fair Lady. In addition to her acting career, O'Brien also wrote poetry and short stories, many of which were published in American and Canadian magazines. She died in 2006.
Arrangement
Materials are organized into three series, all of which are arranged alphabetically:
Series I. Theater Files
Series II. Personal Materials
Series III. Original Writings
Scope and Content Note
This collection documents the personal and professional life of Sylvia O'Brien, and consists of diaries, playbills, photographs, correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings, original writings, and scripts for various performances. The majority of the collection documents her professional career as an actress, including contracts, photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, a large collection of playbills, and files on individual productions she participated in. The collection also documents her personal life, including diaries, correspondence, a large number of personal photographs and photograph albums, and her original poetry and short stories.
Subjects
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions.
Use Restrictions
Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) held by Sylvia O'Brien, the creator of this collection, were transferred to New York University in 2010 by Bruce Seadar. Permission to publish or reproduce materials in this collection must be secured from the Tamiment Library.
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Identification of item, date; Sylvia O'Brien Papers; AIA 054; box number; folder number;
Archives of Irish America, Tamiment Library
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012, New York University Libraries.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Bruce Seadar, Sylvia O'Brien's husband's nephew and the executor of her estate, in 2010. The accession number associated with this gift is 2010.038.
Separated Materials
Approximately 1 linear foot of published books were separated to the library collection for cataloging.
About this Guide
Processing Note
Upon receipt, the collection contained several distinct types of materials, but no consistent overall arrangement. Similar types of materials (i.e. playbills, scripts) were often grouped together, but not uniformly. The majority of materials were in folders, some of which had accurate titles, but were in no discernable order; other materials were loose and unfoldered. All materials were rehoused in acid-free folders and boxes, grouped into three series, and arranged alphabetically. Original folder titles were used, with descriptive clarifications as necessary, when present. When no original folder title existed, one was supplied by the archivist. Framed photographs were removed from their frames.
In the fall of 2022, additional playbills, diaries, posters, photographs, and papers were added to the collection and described by an archivist. These materials were rehoused into archival folders and boxes. Original titles were maintained when possible.
