Earlier this year, noted theater director, producer, and teacher Jose Quintero donated his collection of personal and professional papers to the University of Houston Libraries. Mr. Quintero chose UH because of his personal and professional esteem for the UH School of Theatre and its chair Sidney Berger.

Jose Quintero was born in Panama, but came to the United States to study medicine. Fortunately for theater, he never followed his original ambition, and instead became one of the most celebrated Broadway and Off Broadway directors and producers. A founder of the legendary Circle on the Square Theatre, Quintero pioneered the Off Broadway movement which continues to this day. Jose Quintero has been credited for rediscovering the plays of American playwright Eugene O'Neill and bringing them to the American theater. Indeed, Quintero claims to have a strong mystical connection with and an understanding of Eugene O'Neill, although the two never met. Mr. Quintero's staging of The Iceman Cometh in 1956 was a surprise hit and launched the career of actor Jason Robards. Later that year, Quintero's production of Long Day's Journey Into Night established his reputation as the quintessential director of O'Neill dramas. Mr. Quintero would go on to direct many O'Neill plays, ultimately winning Broadway's Antoinnette Perry (Tony) Award for his direction of A Moon for the Misbegotten in 1973.

Jose Quintero has not limited himself to O'Neill works through his long and distinguished career, and, indeed, has not limited himself to the stage. He has shown an adept touch with the works of Tennessee Williams. He directed Geraldine Page in Summer and Smoke on Broadway and the film version The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone with Vivien Leigh and Lotte Lenya, who won an Oscar for her work. He has directed the works of Thornton Wilder, Brian Friel, Jean Ganet, and Brendan Behan for stage, and has been nominated twice for National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Awards (Emmy) for his work on Profiles in Courage and A Moon for the Misbegotten. He wrote the book for the musical theater production Gabrielle and directed operas for both the Metropolitan Opera and the Dallas Civic Opera.

The list of accomplished actors Jose Quintero has worked with throughout his distinguished career reads like a veritable Who's Who of Broadway. It includes such luminaries as Colleen Dewhurst, Jason Robards, Fredric March, Geraldine Page, Ingrid Berman, Liv Ullman, Jane Fonda, Donald Moffat, Vivien Leigh, and Dame Judith Anderson. Yet Jose‚ Quintero does not work exclusively with established actors. He has lectured to theater groups in Europe, Central and South America, and at universities throughout the United States. He teaches both graduate and advanced acting and directing classes at the University of Houston during fall semesters.

The life and career of Jose Quintero is detailed additionally in his autobiographical novel If You Don't Dance, They Beat You. His second autobiography will be published and available in the libraries in the near future. We are extremely fortunate to have received such a generous gift; the collection should be available to the public sometime in the fall.

Katherine Fox