Descriptive Summary
Michael Kearns papers
1974-2007
1990-2000
2008-009
Kearns, Michael, 1950-
3 archives boxes, 4 half
archives boxes, 1 records box, 2 oversized boxes, 1 shoe box.
5.3 feet.
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives.
Los Angeles, California 90007
Clippings, programs, flyers, posters, and VHS
videotapes, of the works, theatrical performances, and appearances of Michael
Kearns; a parent, playwright, producer, director, actor, author, and activist,
who is openly gay and HIV-positive.
Languages represented in the collection: English
Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access
restrictions.
Publication Rights
Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in
writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the physical owner.
Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in
the materials. Note that ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant
copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for
all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).
Preferred Citation
Box #, Folder #, Michael Kearns papers, 2008-009, ONE National Gay and
Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Michael Kearns, date unknown.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Michael C. Oliveira and Sócrates Silva, May 3, 2008.
Biography
Michael Kearns was born in St. Louis, Missouri, 1950. He attended the
Goodman Theater School in Chicago before making his way to Los Angeles in the
early 1970s where he has acted on the stage, in television, and in motion
pictures. Since the 1980s he has grown into the profession as director,
producer, acting teacher, playwright, and author. Hollywood’s first openly gay
actor, Kearns has been involved in various theater productions throughout Los
Angeles addressing HIV/AIDS while also appearing in mainstream television. In
addition to more than a dozen produced plays and solo pieces including;
The Truth Is Bad Enough (1983),
Intimacies (1989),
More Intimacies (1990),
Rock (1992),
Attachments (1996), and
Tell-Tale Kisses (1998) his writings have
appeared in a wide variety of publications, including the
Los Angeles Times, the
LA Weekly and the
Advocate. He is the author of three theater
books, published by Heinemann:
T-Cells & Sympathy (nominated for a
Lambda Literary Award),
Acting = Life (also Lammy nominated), and
Getting Your Solo Act Together. He received
the 2002 Playwright’s Arena Award for Outstanding Contribution to Los Angeles
Theater acknowledging three decades of his work as an actor, writer, producer,
director, teacher, and fundraiser. In addition to his artistic contributions
Kearns has been honored for his philanthropic endeavors by numerous
organizations. Among his philanthropic accomplishments is the creation of
Southland Theater Artists Goodwill Event (STAGE), which since 1984 has raised
millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS services and charities throughout Southern
California. Kearns lives in Los Angeles with his daughter Tia.
Sócrates Silva
Scope and Content of Collection
The Michael Kearns collection documents his theatrical and charitable
contributions to the community from the early 1970s. He organized and produced
various benefits and awareness raising events for political, HIV/AIDS, and
community organizations including an annual event in commemoration of World
AIDS day.
Primarily the collection consists of clippings, flyers, programs, and
VHS videotape cassettes of interviews and performances, along with some
performance still photographs and scripts from his theatrical works as a
playwright, director, and actor.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into five series, Theater; Emcee, Model, and
Speaker; Writings; Awards, Commendations, and Honors; and Biographical. The
Theater Series and the Writings Series are divided into subseries. The Theater
Series includes the subseries: Playwright, Director, Actor, and Producer and
the Writing Series includes the subseries: Author, Poet and Journalist, and
Columnist. Each of these series and subseries are arranged alphabetically by
the title or name of the performance, publication, or organization. With the
following exceptions, readings by Kearns at ONE, Spoken Interludes and the West
Hollywood Book Fair were placed at the end of the Actor subseries; and the
folders of Editorials and Letters to the Editor along with articles about
Family were placed at the end of the Journalist, Columnist subseries.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this
collection in the library's online public access catalog.
AIDS activists--California--Los Angeles
AIDS (Disease)--Dramas
Gay actors
Gay dramatists
Gay men's writings
Gay theater
Homosexuality and theater
Monologue
One-act plays
Pickett, James Carroll, d.
1994
Description/Container List
Series 1:
Theater
1975-2007
29 folders, 39 VHS videocasettes, 1 DVD, 1 oversized
box.
Series Scope and Content
The Theater Series consists of subseries reflecting Kearns'
activites as a Playwright, Director, Actor, and Producer. The performances are
arranged alphabetically by title and are documented by programs, flyers,
interviews and performances on videotape along with a few publicity still
photographs and scripts of his theatrical works.
Subseries 1.1:
Playwright
1975-2007
13 folders, 10 VHS videocasettes, 1 compact disc, 1
compact audiocassette tape.
Subseries Scope and Content
The Playwright subseries consists of programs, clippings, flyers,
VHS videocassettes of interviews and some performances, along with a few
scripts of Kearns' plays and monologues.
A to Z
2001
1 : 1
Flyer
Alive and Kicking
2003
1 : 1
Clippings, flyers, programs, text of short speech
Attachments
1996
1 : 1
Gay man wants to adopt a child.
Clippings, postcards
Barriers
2003
1 : 2
Life on Skid Row.
Newsletter, program
Blessings
2004
Life on Skid Row.
Clippings, correspondence, press releases,
programs
2004
1 : 2
Title song on compact disc
2004
10 : 1
Come Back
2002-2007
1 : 2
Program, flyers
Complications
2002
1 : 2
Based on
La Ronde by Schnitzler.
Flyers, programs
Homeless: A Street
Opera
1992
Homeless people try to stay alive on the streets of San
Francisco.
Program
1992
1 : 3
Compact audiocassette tape
1992
10 : 2
Intimacies
1996-2001
"A cross section of people all suffering from HIV/AIDS tell the
story of how they contracted the infection: Denny in his forties suffering from
dementia, Big Red a female prostitute, Patrick into body beautiful, and Rusty,
a teenager cheating on his boyfriend."
Card, clippings, flyers, program
1996-2001
1 : 3
Theater review on an award plaque
1996
5 : 1
Interview by Karen Ocamb,
Out & About
circa
19949 :
013
Performance; St. Louis, Missouri
1992
9 : 016
Interview; KTVI, St. Louis, Missouri
1992
9 : 020
Interview; American Cable, St. Louis,
Missouri
1992
9 : 028
Performance
circa
19949 :
017
Intimacies and Complications: A
Retrospective of AIDS Monologues
2003
1 : 3
Flyers, postcards
An Intimate Evening with Michael
Kearns
1995-1998
1 : 3
Flyers, programs
Kiss & Tell
1987
1 : 3
Clippings
Life Expectancies
2005
Programs
2005
1 : 3
Sign-in book
2005
4 : 1
Make Love Not War
2005
Programs, reviews, postcards
2005
1 : 4
Poster
2005
7 : 1 (oversized)
Publicity still photographs
2005
11 : 2
Performance
2005
9 : 021
More Intimacies
1990-1992
"A cross section of people all suffering from HIV/AIDS tell the
stories of how they contracted the infection."
Clipping
1990
1 : 4
Performance; Belvoir Street Theatre, Sydney,
Australia
1992
9 : 023
My Name is Winona and I'm a
Shoplifter
2002
Clippings, flyers, press release
2002
1 : 4
Publicity still photographs
2002
11 : 2
Myron: A Fairy Tale in Black and
White
1993
1 : 4
Clippings
Nine Lives
2004
Clippings, postcard
2004
1 : 5
Poster
2004
7 : 1 (oversized)
One Man, One Night, Too Much!
1999
1 : 5
Clippings, flyers
Out & Out
1997
1 : 5
Clippings
Robert's Memorial
2004
1 : 5
The memorial service and testimonials from Robert's father,
nurse and friends.
Clippings, correspondence, flyer
Rock
1992-1993
The life of Rock Hudson - the gossip, the facts and Marilyn
Monroe.
Clippings, flyers, programs
1993
1 : 5
Performance and interview
1992
9 : 026
Performance
circa
19929 :
027
T-Cells and Sympathy: Monologues in the
Age of AIDS performance
1995-2001
1 : 6
Clippings, press release, program
Tell-Tale Kisses
1998
1 : 6
Clippings, flyers, postcards, programs
The Truth is Bad Enough
1983
Clippings, scripts
1983
1 : 6
Performance, Pacific Overture Productions
1983
9 : 030
Who's Afraid of Edward
Albee?
1999
1 : 7
When they were casting for the first production of Edward
Albee's
"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? it
was to be with an all-male cast. When Albee discovered what was going on he
said that it must never be played with an all male cast. The action of this
play takes place backstage of an illegal all male production of
Who's Afraid. . ."
Clippings, flyers, postcards, programs
Subseries 1.2:
Director
1984-2006
4 folders, 1 VHS videocasette.
Subseries Scope and Content
The Director Series contains clippings and programs along with a
few publicity still photographs and scripts from theatrical works directed by
Kearns.
AIDS /US,
AIDS/US II
1986-1990
Award, flyers, clippings
1986-1990
2 : 1
AIDS/US II
performance
1990
9 : 004
Bathhouse Benediction
1984
2 : 1
Clippings
Being Positive
2007
Postcard, program
2007
2 : 1
Poster
2007
7 : 1 (oversized)
Beyond the Song: It's Not a
Musical
2003
2 : 1
Program
Brothers Tellin'
1999-2000
Clippings, flyers, postcard, program
1999-2000
2 : 1
Poster
1999-2000
7 : 1 (oversized)
... But Stevie Nicks Understands (Part
IV)
1999
2 : 1
Flyers, programs
Elevator Sex
2006
2 : 1
Program
Footsteps
2006
2 : 1
Program
Heroine
2000
7 : 1 (oversized)
Poster
J for J
1999-2002
2 : 2
Clippings, postcards, programs
Jerker
1987-2006
Clippings, flyers, programs
1987-2006
4 : 4
Publicity still photographs
2006
11 : 2
Poster
circa
19897 : 1
(oversized)
Night Sweat
1985
2 : 2
Clippings
The Porcelain Penelope Freak
Show
2002-2003
2 : 2
Postcards, program
The Tina Dance
2006
Clippings, postcards, program, script
2006
2 : 2
Publicity still photographs
2006
11 : 2
Trafficking in Broken
Hearts
2000
2 : 2
Clippings, postcards
The Very Bad Boy Next
Door
1999
2 : 2
Clipping
Warren
1986-1988
Award, flyers, programs, reviews
1987
2 : 2
Photographs
1986-1988
11 : 2
We Are One
1999
2 : 2
Clippings
Subseries 1.3:
Actor
1975-2007
8 folders, 10 VHS videocasettes, 1 oversized
box.
Subseries Scope and Content
The subseries primarily consists of clippings and programs along
VHS videocassette tapes and publicity still photographs of some of his
theatrical performances and readings.
Bill and Eddie
1999
2 : 3
Clippings, flyers, postcards, programs
Body Double
1984
2 : 3
Camille
1993
Clippings, programs
1993
4 : 5
Performance still photographs and color transparency
with negative
1993
11 : 2
Contact sheet print
1993
7 : 3 (oversized)
Coming Home
1999
2 : 3
Clippings, programs, text of short speech
Cootie Shots: Inoculations Against
Bigotry
circa 2000
2 : 3
Clipping
Dream Man
1987-2007
A night in the life of a phone sex hustler.
Awards, clippings, postcard, programs,
scripts
1987/2007
2 : 4
The Pride Playhouse Collection, Out and About
Pictures
1991
9 : 033
News, reviews
circa
19919 :
034
A Few Gay Men
2002
Clippings
2002
2 : 5
Publicity still photographs
2002
11 : 2
Gay Voices Gay Legends
2
1989
9 : 037
I Wish I Had Never Met You and I Was
Meeting You Now
circa 1987
Program
circa
19872 : 5
Poster
circa
1987Michael
Kearns
International Stud
1998
2 : 5
Clippings
Jackie & Me
2006
2 : 5
Clipping, program
LA Tool & Die
1979
9 : 035
Life Goes On
1992
Clippings
1992
2 : 5
Television episode
1992
9 : 015-016
A Mother's Prayer
1995
2 : 5
Clipping
Movie Queen
2001
2 : 5
Program
Nature by William K.
Haugse
2001
9 : 032
Queen of Angels
1992
Flyers, music, script
1992
2 : 6
James Carroll Pickett photographs
1992
11 : 2
Pitch fork prop (in two parts)
1992
7 : 4 (oversized)
Rubicon
circa 2001
2 : 5
Postcard, script
Seize the Day!: A Guide to Living with
HIV
1993
9 : 036
Stop AIDS, television
advertising
1990
9 : 001
Superior Court, reality-based
courtroom drama
circa 1988
9 : 038
T-Shirts
1979
2 : 5
Clippings
The Waltons
1975
2 : 5
Clippings
Readings
2000-2004
Reading at ONE Institute & Archives
2001
2 : 7
Newsletter
Readings at Spoken Interludes
1999-2000
2 : 7
Flyers, programs
Reading at West Hollywood Book Fair
2004
2 : 7
program
Subseries 1.4:
Producer
2000-2006
1 folder.
Series Scope and Content
Programs, flyers, and clippings from events and performances
produced by Kearns and with Kearns assistance.
After Words: Honoring Writers We Miss
2000
2 : 8
Programs, flyers, clippings
Dream: the Lyrics & of Johnny
Mercer
2002
2 : 8
Programs
The Flatted Fifth
2001
2 : 8
Postcards, program
Kurt Weill: The
Centennial
2000
2 : 8
Program
Love Letters
2005
2 : 8
Program
Tales from the Row: It's a Tough Row to
Hoe
2006
2 : 8
Clippings, flyers
Tap Your Troubles Away!: The Words and
Music of Jerry Herman
2001
2 : 8
Program
Series 2:
Emcee, Model, and Speaker
1976-2006
3 folders, 18 VHS videocasettes, 1
DVD.
Series Scope and Content
The subseries consists of invitations, programs, and videotapes of
various events hosted or with appearances by Kearns. The events include
promotional appearances for his productions and performances along with
benefits and awareness raising events for charitable organizations. The
subseries includes video tapes of several of Kearns' appearances on
Get Used to It, a cable public affairs
program produced by the City of West Hollywood, hosted by California Senator
Sheila James Kuehl.
7:30 Report, segment
February 02,
19939 :
025
The 10% Show, Chicago
April 1990
9 : 019
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences: Ribbon of
Hope, Appearance
2001
3 : 1
Invitation, program
AIDS Candlelight Memorial, Host
2001
3 : 1
Postcard, program
AIDS Housing Santa Barbara, Reading
2002
3 : 1
Program, invitation
AIDS in Hollywood, Fox Entertainment
News segments
November 17,
19899 :
002
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP),
Advertising model
2000
7 : 2 (oversized)
Print advertising literature, newspaper advertising
Being Alive, Reading
1998
4 : 6
Clippings, flyers
Business Alliance of Los Angeles (BALA), Guest
speaker
2000
3 : 1
Clippings
Calendar model
2002
7 : 2 (oversized)
Calendar images
Celebrating Jim Kepner's Life & the Past
50 Years of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Movement, Emcee (with Robin
Tyler)
1998
3 : 1
Program
Community Crisis & Help Line and Working Wonders,
Contributing author/playwright
2002
4 : 6
Clippings, flyers
Des Moines, Iowa, television program
1986-1987
9 : 011
Entertainment Daily Journal, AIDS
series
1991
9 : 002,018
Entertainment Tonight, HIV
segement
1991
9 : 020
Five Acres Boys' and Girls' Aid Society,
Reading
2002
4 : 6
Flyers
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
Media Awards, special guest
1991
3 : 1
Program
Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, Host and
performer
1998-2001
4 : 6
Announcement, photograph, postcards, poster
Get Used to It
1998-2006
Voices of Our Lives: Michael
Kearns, show #52
May 1998
9 : 005
Challenges in the Millennium, show
#68
January 07,
20009 :
006
Out in the Industry, show
#76
March 02,
20019 :
007
The One Institute, show
#79
May 11,
20019 :
008
Experiencing Death, show #
106
February
20029 :
009
Eric Rofes 1954-2006, show
#130,DVD
November
200610 : 4
Heart to Heart: Two conversations between
Robert Hales and Michael Kearns
September 23,
19979 :
012
Highways Performance Space, Benefit
performance
1998
4 : 6
Clippings
Jeff Griffith Gay & Lesbian Youth Center, Committee
member
2000
4 : 6
Invitation
Lambda Literary Awards Gala, Host committee
2002
3 : 1
Program, invitation
Lamp Community, Guest director
2000-2001
4 : 6
Programs
Liberty Hill Foundation, Host committee
2000
4 : 6
Program
Los Angeles Gay Men's Chorus
circa 1985
9 : 021
Christmas program
National Stonewall Democratic Federation, Special
guest
2000
4 : 6
Invitation
No on 64, P.A.N.I.C. in Griffith Park, Special
thanks
1986
4 : 6
Program, ticket, literature
One in 10 People show #3
no date
9 : 024
Playwrights' Arena, Presenter
2001
4 : 6
Program
Salk Institute for AIDS Research, Reading
1995
4 : 6
Clipping
The Tomorrow Show "Male
Hustlers"
June 22, 1976
9 : 029
Tri-Cable, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
no date
9 : 022
Interview
Various television programs
1991
9 : 029
Series 3:
Writings
1974-2005
6 folders.
Series Scope and Content
The series consists of Kearns' non-theatrical works including
poetry, articles, columns, editorials and letters to the editor along with
clippings and flyers related to his published books.
Subseries 3.1:
Author, Poet
1974-2005
2 folders.
Subseries Scope and Content
The subseries contains primarily clippings and flyers related to
Kearns' poetry and published works, including an article from the period of his
portrayal as the author of the
Happy Hustler.
Acting = Life: An Actor's Life
1996
4 : 2
Clippings
Gay Hollywood
1999
4 : 2
Clippings
Getting Your Solo Act
Together
1997
4 : 2
Clippings
The Happy Hustler
1974
4 : 2
Clippings
Life Expectancies: Monologues that
Challenge
2005
4 : 2
Sample book cover, program
O Solo Homo
1998
4 : 2
Clippings, postcards, programs
The Solo Performer's
Journey
2005
4 : 2
Flyers, press release, sample book cover
T-Cells and Sympathy: Monologues in the
Age of AIDS
1995-2001
4 : 2
Clippings, flyers, press release
Theatrepoem
circa 2000
1 : 8
Typescript
Wanted: Widow's
Assistant
1995
4 : 2
Publishing agreement
Wartime
circa 2000
1 : 8
Postcard
Subseries 3.2:
Journalist, Columnist
1983-2005
4 folders.
Subseries Scope and Content
The Subseries includes Kearns' articles and columns arranged by
the publishing newspaper or magazine along with editorials, letters to the
editor and some articles on family. He wrote on a variety of topics of interest
to the gay and HIV+/AIDS communities as well as the performing arts. The file
on family contains some of articles on his life as a parent.
Back Stage West
2002
1 : 9
Edge,
L.A. Edge,
The Edge
1983-1998
Articles, interviews, reviews
1983-1998
4 : 3
Top Ten List
1996
4 : 3
Frontiers
1998
1 : 9
Glendale News-Press
circa 1994
1 : 9
In Magazine
2003-2005
4 : 3
In Style for Men
circa 1985
1 : 9
LA Weekly
1998-2005
4 : 3
Lambda Book Report
1999
1 : 9
Los Angeles Times
1999
1 : 9
Male Review
circa 1987
1 : 9
Paper
1999
1 : 9
Unzipped
2001
1 : 9
Editorials, letters to the editor
1999-2003
1 : 10
Family
1997-2004
1 : 11
Articles, correspondence, editorials
Series 4:
Awards, Commendations, and Honors
1987-2007
5 folders.
Series Scope and Content
Awards, Commendations, and Honors Series consists of certificates
and trophies for Kearns' achievements in theater and as an activist for gay,
HIV+/AIDS, and other underserved communities.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern
California, Lesbian and Gay Rights Chapter, award plaque
1987
5 : 2
Back Stage West Garland Awards
2000
3 : 2
Program
California Senate
2004
3 : 2
Certificate of recognition
California Senate resolution
1992
7 : 3 (oversized)
Certificate
Des Moines, Iowa
1987
8 : 1
Key to the city
Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
1999
3 : 2
Victory award; fax
LA Weekly Queen of Angels
award
2007
3 : 2
Program
Los Angeles City Council resolution
1987
7 : 3 (oversized)
Certificate
Los Angeles City Council resolution
1998
3 : 2
Clipping, flyer
Los Angeles City Council
2002
3 : 2
Certificate of appreciation
Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle
1993
5 : 3
Award plaque for distinguished achievement
Maddy Awards
2000
3 : 2
Certificate for performance in
Bill and Eddie
The Metro St. Louis AIDS Interfaith Network
1999
3 : 2
Certificate for outstanding services
National Coming Out Day
1992
3 : 2
Certificate
Playwrights' Arena
2002
3 : 2
Clippings, programs
Robby Awards
1993
8 : 2
Trophy for best actor - comedy in
Camille
The Robert Chesley Foundation playwriting
award
2005
3 : 2
Invitation
St. Louis Mayor
1992
7 : 3 (oversized)
Proclamation
Source Theatre Company, board of trustees
award
1991
7 : 3 (oversized)
Certificate
Series 5:
Biographical
1972-2007
13 folders, 1 VHS videocassette, 3 compact
audiocassette tapes.
Series Scope and Content
The Series contains biographical information in the form of
newspaper, magazine and other media interviews along with a VHS videotape of
clips of some of his performances, personal correspondence, and limited
information on Kearns' Artist Confronting AIDS organization and Michael Kearns'
Workspace, later referred to as the Space at Fountain's End, his theatrical
performance space.
Clippings
1972-2007
3 : 3
California Theatre
Annual
1982-1983
6 : 1-6 : 2
Headshots, photographs
1980-2000
11 : 1
Video clips from performances
circa 1995
9 : 010
Interviews on compact audiocassette tapes
circa 1980
KALW, San Francisco by Alan Farley
1976
10 : 3
The Breakfast Show,
The Edge
circa 1980
10 : 3
Out & Out, parts 1 and
2
circa 1980
10 : 3
Correspondence - personal
1986-2003
3 : 4
Proposals and undeveloped concepts
circa 1990
3 : 5-3 : 7
Artists Confronting AIDS;
1990-1993
3 : 8
Clippings, proclamation
Michael Kearns' Workspace / Space at Fountain's
End
2005-2006
E-mail, flyers, press releases
2005
3 : 9
Scrapbook
2005-2006
3 : 10
Correspondence, flyers, postcards, programs, press
releases
2006
3 : 11
AIDSWatch installation photographs
2006
11 : 3