Biography
M. Joy Erickson’s artistic vision has made a lasting impact at NDSU. Whether as costumer, research associate, director, lecturer, senior lecturer, advisor, NDRT Secretary, managing director, business manager, assistant director, or grant writer, Erickson’s dedication to theatre has always guided her work. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences at Goucher College [1967] in Towson, Maryland, and her Master’s of Philosophy in Biology (Molecular biology and biochemistry ) from Yale University [1969]. Erickson married Moorhead native D. Bruce Erickson (Whom she had met at Yale while singing with the Bach Society) and moved to Fargo, where she earned a teaching certificate and began teaching at Agassiz Junior High; she also directed theatre.

Erickson had been involved in theatre from first to 10th grade, and remarked that “once I started directing and designing costumes, I realized that theatre was where I really wanted to be.” (Spectrum, 3/19/1982). Erickson had promised herself that by the time she was 35 she would be doing something she really enjoyed. So after teaching life science and directing the drama program at the High School for five years, Erickson attended a summer workshop for school drama directors at SU, and decided to enroll and get a degree in theatre, mainly for costume design. She “intend[ed] to go back to the public schools to teach.” (College of AHSS Alumni Newsletter 2005 p 16)

Erickson began work on her degrees at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in 1980, and finished with a M.S. in Textiles and Clothing and a M.A. in Speech and Drama in 1983. Within a year of enrolling, Erickson became manager of the Little Country Theatre (LCT) costume shop. While working on her Master’s degrees, Erickson was involved in numerous plays. Her first costume work at NDSU was for Dracula in October of 1981. For her final Master’s project, Erickson designed and constructed costumes for the May 1982 production of Candide. Bus Stop, in January 1986, marked her directorial debut.

Beginning in August 1982, Erickson was hired as the costumer for the Red River Dance and Performing Company (RRDPC), where she worked until April, 1984. In September 1983, she began working as costumer for the LCT, and held the position until the following September (1984). In the summer of 1984, Erickson taught elementary stage makeup for students at Trollwood Performing Arts School (TPAS).

From 1984 to 1986, Erickson was employed by NDSU, in the Department of Textiles and Clothing, as a Research Associate. She designed a computer cataloging system for the department’s historic costume and textiles collection to facilitate its accessibility. Simultaneously, in September 1984, Erickson was hired as a lecturer in Theatre Arts. She taught classes, developed an upper level sequence in theatrical literature (as well as a three-credit version of costume construction), and designed costumes for Main Stage, North Dakota Repertory Theatre (NDRT), Annex Theatre, Opera Theatre, and Opera Workshop productions. Erickson also directed main stage performances, advised students, served as Secretary for the NDRT Advisory Committee (1984-1987), and supervised the costume shop. Erickson held the position until December 1988 when she was promoted to Senior Lecturer in Theatre Arts.

Erickson was involved in free-lance professional work throughout the 1980s, and did work for the RRDPC, Fargo South High School, and TPAS. She has presented papers at numerous conferences, and has held professional memberships and offices in the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT)

In 1990, NDSU added managing director of theatre to Erickson’s list of titles, but after three years, the workload became overwhelming; in the previous nine years, Erickson had never enjoyed a school holiday, and was constantly cutting and designing costumes for the upcoming production. Erickson wanted one nine to five job, and in 1993, Don Stowell (former Director of the Fine Arts Division, NDSU), named Erickson his business manager. Later, current director John Miller named her assistant director. She was with the division during a long period of financial problems, as it was “chronically in the red;” but Erickson’s skills helped her overcome the limitations. She brought with her an “analytical mind,” experience in management, and skills honed from graduate accounting classes. Resourceful and prepared, Erickson kept the division in the black and provided faculty with the tools needed to perform their jobs. (College of AHSS Alumni Newsletter 2005 p 16)

As the division’s primary grant writer, Erickson helped start many important projects, including the NDSU Governor’s School for the Performing Arts (summer program for high school students) and NDSU’s children’s theatre productions (Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm, Fargo, ND). She also managed all contracting and business for NDSU’s Festival Concert Hall, the Fargo-Moorhead Opera, and the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony.

(This biography is incomplete as we have not received information pertaining to Erickson’s positions after 1990).

Scope and Contents
Arranged in chronological order, the collection consists primarily of sketches, drawings, swatches, clippings, photographs, and materials related to mounting a production. The collection follows Erickson’s career from the teaching certificate she received for completion of stagecraft and stage lighting training in 1979, to her work on NDSU LCT productions, beginning with Dracula in October 1981 and ending with The Green Bird, in November 1997. Samples of Erickson’s work with RRDPC, TPAS, Fargo South High School, and NDSU Main Stage, Annex Theatre, Repertory Theatre, Opera Theatre, and Opera Workshop productions are intermingled chronologically. The third and final box contains oversized drawings, sketches, photographs and swatches from Candide, Hayfever, The Robber Bridegroom, and Quilters.

SEE ALSO:

Don Larew Theatrical Productions Scenic and Costume Designs
Fine Arts Print Material
Little Country Theatre
Little Country Theatre North Dakota Repertory Theatre

BOX 1

1 Finding Aid; Copy of Erickson’s photograph (clipped from the newspaper); Resume – c. fall 1990;
Articles/Clippings – Forum, Spectrum, It’s Happening at State, AHSS Alumni Newsletter – September 1981-2005 (ALSO: lists of articles from Forum and Spectrum that cover productions Erickson was involved in)

2 Red River Dance & Performing Company – copies of flyers – n.d.
3 Certificate – completion of two weeks of Stagecraft and Stage Lighting training, “Theatre
Is…Workshop II” – workshop for high school teachers – 6/22/1979
4 Dracula (costume design & construction) – LCT Main Stage – program, copy of flyer,
and sketches/swatches – October 1981
5 Dracula – photographs – October 1981
6 Jacques Brel is… (Costume construction) – LCT Main Stage – Rehearsal schedule and
assignments – December 1981
7 Tribute (costume supervision) – LCT Main Stage - ‘instructions for dresser’ and clothing
change schedule – February 1982
8 I Do! I Do! (costume supervision) – Grad. showcase – April 1982 [empty]
9 Master of Fine Arts, thesis project, NDSU, Candide (costume design and construction) –
LCT Main Stage – proposal, program, reviews of the original production, notes
on the revival, sketches and swatches, cast/costume listing – May 1982
10 Candide – photographs – May 1982
SEE ALSO: box 3 for Candide oversized swatches and sketches
11 Mary, Mary, Night Watch and Perfectly Frank (costume construction) – North Dakota
Repertory Theatre (NDRT) – flyer, program, contracts, correspondence, notes,
cast/costume listing – summer 1982
12 Flea in Her Ear (costume design and construction) – program, cast list, sketches/swatch,
‘summary of costume presets and fast changes,’ rehearsal schedule – October
1982
13 Flea in Her Ear – photographs – October 1982
14 Sleuth (costume supervision) – Grad. showcase – December 1982 [empty]
15 Diary of Anne Frank (costume supervision) – LCT Main Stage – cast/costume/scene
listing – February 1983
16 Beggar’s Opera (costume construction) – Opera Workshop – cast/costumes - April 1983
17 Really Rosie (costume design and construction) – LCT Main Stage – program,
cast/costumes – April/May 1983
18 Side by Side by Sondheim, The Odd Couple, and Little Mary Sunshine (costume design
and construction) – NDRT – program, patronage flyer, subscription flyer, menus,
contracts, rehearsal schedule, correspondence, cast listing, NDRT introduction,
budgeting, costume plots, sketches, notes – summer 1983
19 Little Mary Sunshine – sketches/swatches – summer 1983
20 Little Mary Sunshine – photographs and negatives – summer 1983
21 God’s Favorite (costume construction) – LCT Main Stage – costume plots, copy of
program – November 1983
22 A Doll’s House (costume design and construction) – LCT Main Stage – rehearsal
schedule, costume plots, cast list, correspondence, sketches/swatches - February
1984
23 A Doll’s House – photographs and negatives – February 1984
24 Peter and the Wolf (costume design and construction) – Red River Dance and Performing
Company with the Fargo Moorhead Symphony – photographs and negatives –
April 1984
25 Once upon a Mattress (costume design and construction) – LCT Main Stage – program,
proposed schedule, costume listing/swatches, swatches, sketches, scheduling
calendar, tentative cast list – May 1984
26 Once Upon a Mattress – photographs and negatives – May 1984
27 The Glass Menagerie (costume design and construction) – LCT Main Stage – program,
rehearsal schedule, promotion information, hair/makeup information, sketches,
swatches, costume plot – November 1984
28 Amadeus (costume design and construction) – LCT Main Stage – contacts,
swatches/sketch, clothing/makeup schedule, needed items, costume rental from
the Gutherie Theatre, purchases, costume plot by scene, costume plots, press
information – February 1985
29 Amadeus – photographs and negatives – February 1985
30 Camelot (costume design and construction) – LCT Main Stage – program, rehearsal
schedule, calendar, act/scene listing, costume plot by scene, costumes by scene,
correspondence, rental costume requirements, character costume requirements,
sketches, character measurements, plans to build, swatches, costume colors,
guidelines for costume parade and dress rehearsals, costume plot, knight costumes
– May 1985
31 Camelot – photographs and negatives – May 1985
32 Twigs, Hayfever, and The Robber Bridegroom (costume design) – NDRT – program,
table tent, advertisement, correspondence, cast/costume listings,
swatches/clippings/sketches, notes – Summer 1985
33 Hayfever – photographs – summer 1985
SEE ALSO: box 3 for Hayfever oversized sketches/swatches
34 The Robber Bridegroom – sketches/swatches – summer 1985
35 The Robber Bridegroom – photographs and negatives – summer 1985
SEE ALSO: box 3 for The Robber Bridegroom oversized sketches/swatches
36 Under Milk Wood (costume design) – LCT Main Stage – cast list, character/costume
listing, press release – October 1985
37 Bus Stop (director) – LCT Main Stage – program, reviews, rehearsal schedule, critique,
cast list – January/February 1986
38 Luv (costume design) – Grad. showcase – January 1986 [empty]
39 Arsenic and Old Lace (costume design) – LCT Main Stage – program, ground plan,
costumes/swatches – April/May 1986
40 Arsenic and Old Lace – photograph – April/May 1986
41 Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Dames at Sea (costume
design) – NDRT – program, costume shop expenses, costume plot for
Dames at Sea, notes on uniforms for Dames at Sea, sketches/clippings/swatches
for Dames at Sea, costume plot for Brighton Beach Memoirs, clippings for
Brighton Beach Memoirs – summer 1986
42 Dames at Sea (costume design) – Photograph – summer 1986
43 Cabaret (costume supervision) – LCT Main Stage – costume sizes, rentals, color
schemes, orchestra rehearsals/performance schedule, musicians, costume plot,
scene breakdown, expenditures – October/November 1986
44 Madrigal Dinner – copy of program – c. December 1986 or December 1987
45 The Rivals (costume design and construction, director) – LCT Main Stage – program (and
duplicate) scene breakdown, proposed rehearsal schedule, cast list, costume plot,
design analysis, character analyses, prop list, swatches/characters – February 1987
46 The Rivals – photographs and negatives – February 1987
47 The Medium (costume construction) – Opera Theatre – notes – April 1987
48 The Miracle Worker – notes and rehearsal schedule – April 1987
49 A Servant of Two Masters (director, costume design and construction) – LCT Main Stage
– program (and duplicate), sketches/swatches, measurements, American College Theatre Festival preliminary screening report, cast list, rehearsal schedule, character analyses, Italian and Spanish words, background construction, expenses – October/November 1987
50 A Servant of Two Masters – photographs and negatives – October/November 1987
51 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (costume design and construction) – LCT Main Stage – program,
revised schedule, characters/costumes, costume plot, play synopsis – February
1988
52 Sweet Charity (costume design and construction) – LCT Main Stage – costume rental
prices, correspondence, scene/character plot, cast list, rehearsal schedule, notes, measurement form (blank), costume plot, costumes/scene, advertisement, expenses, sketches/clippings/swatches, material orders – April/May 1988
53 Sweet Charity – photographs – April/May 1988
54 The Fantasticks and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (costume design, director of
Charlie Brown) – North Dakota Repertory Theatre – flyer and program – summer
1988
55 You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown – characters and color schemes – summer 1988
56 You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown – photographs and negatives – summer 1988
57 Biloxi Blues (costume design) – LCT Main Stage – clipping/swatches –
October/November 1988
58 Angel (costume design) – LCT Main Stage – costume plot, characters/costumes,
clippings/swatches, cast list, director’s costume notes – February 1989
59 Homesteaders (costume design) – LCT Main Stage – costume plot – April/May 1989
60 The Memorandum (costume design) – LCT Main Stage – note regarding theft, costume
plot, rehearsal schedule, preliminary prop list, clippings/swatches – October/November 1989
61 Quilters (director and costume design) – LCT Main Stage – (featured Janet Dickenson)
flyer, program, approval to fund Janet Dickenson, quilt sketches, rehearsal schedule, audition form (blank), scenic breakdown, women who made the quilt blocks, musician’s contract (blank), costume plot, calendar, cast list, correspondence & notes, publicity ideas, Quilter’s Guild contacts, scene/quilt square, quilting guilds in North Dakota, quilters’ biographical information, swatches/sketches – February 1990

BOX 2

1 Quilters – photographs – February 1990
SEE ALSO: box 3 for Quilters oversized photograph
2 [EMPTY]
3 Corpse! (costume design) – LCT Main Stage – costume plots, rehearsal schedule, receipt,
prop listing, property set-up plot, makeup worksheets, makeup sketches (in
folders) – May 1990
4 LTC 1990-1991 Season – correspondence, calendar, Administrative Council addresses,
financial information
5 An Enemy of the People – cast list, rental list, draft rehearsal schedules, royalty
agreement, costume expenses, clippings/swatches – October/November 1990
6 King of Hearts – royalty quote/rental information, audience survey form (blank),
payment for orchestral performance form (blank), preliminary costume plot and
construction details, sketches/clippings/swatches – February 1991
7 The Art of Dining – equipment insurance, preliminary prop list, cast, rehearsal schedule,
stage plan, final week rehearsal schedule, correspondence – April/May 1991
8 LCT 1991-1992 Season – invitation to annual banquet, correspondence, calendar
9 Helen of Troy (costume design) – program, correspondence, preliminary prop list,
rehearsal schedule, costume plot, notes, clippings/swatches, sketches, Egyptian
collars, background materials – November 1991
10 Helen of Troy – photographs and negatives – November 1991
11 Into the Woods (costume design) – program, flyer, ensemble rehearsal schedule, rehearsal
schedules, Schematics, royalty receipt, photo possibilities, revised rehearsal
schedule, photo call, daily rehearsal report, costume shop work schedule, master
calendar, cast list, entrances and exits, costume plot, costume changes plot, order
of costume parade, actors’ measurements, correspondence – April/May 1992
12 Into the Woods – Costume swatches/sketches – April/May 1992
13 Into the Woods – Photographs and negatives – April/May 1992
14 LCT 1992-1993 Season – correspondence, press release, Pelvic Variations program
15 Tintypes (costume designer and supervisor) – flyer, program, photo call, Advisory Board
luncheon, correspondence, brochure copy, costume credit application, revised
schedule, costume plots, notes, royalty receipt, phone list, orchestra members –
October 1992
16 Rhinoceros – cast, work calls, program notes, Rhinoceros and the Existentialist tradition,
contact sheet, prop list – November 1992
17 Fifth of July – program, play summary, cast and crew list, schedule, menu,
correspondence, notes – February 1993
18 Fifth of July – photograph – February 1993
19 School for Wives – program, timecard, draft program, sound cues, stage plot, phone
numbers, rehearsal schedule, costume fitting form (blank), preliminary prop list,
royalty conditions, cast and crews, correspondence – April/May 1993
20 LCT 1993-1994 Season – calendar, sales and attendance figures, 1983-1984–1993-1994,
final budget, budget summary, results of Death and the Maiden survey, theatre banquet flyer, ad sizes and prices, patronage information, television and radio advertisement information, contacts and contracts, correspondence, printing information and receipt
21 All My Sons – flyer, program, credit sales reports, box office summary, show attendance,
sales report, invitation to professors, production meeting minutes, lobby display, play summary, program draft, correspondence, complimentary ticket coupons, invitation to work calls, cast list, program acknowledgements – October 1993
22 Death and the Maiden – program, credit sales reports, advertisement information,
audience survey, production meeting minutes, calendar, summary, press releases, acknowledgements, production staff – December 1993
23 The Kathy and Mo Show – Parallel Lives – program, weekly sales reports, press release,
correspondence – February 1994
24 Arms and the Man – program, revised rehearsal schedule, log sheets, cast, settlement
statement, credit sales reports, box office summary, press releases, complimentary
ticket coupons – April 1994
25 On the Verge – flyer, flyer draft, complimentary ticket coupon, correspondence, finances,
settlement statement, radio advertising, box office summary – October 1994
26 Blithe Spirit – cast, credit sales reports, radio advertising, correspondence, production
meeting, show sales report, complimentary ticket listing, total ticket sales and
revenue – December 1994
27 The Secret Garden – program, correspondence, royalty information, minutes of
preparatory orchestra/musical direction meeting, orchestra, facilities request, credit sales reports, advertising information, promotion meeting minutes, cast list, production meeting minutes, television advertising, advertising receipt, notes and to-do list – April 1995
28 LCT 1995-1996 Season – sales and attendance figures, status of advertising sales,
advertising contract form (blank), ad sizes and prices, proposed budget,
advertisements
29 Meg – total ticket sales by performance, ticket receipts, box office summary, receipt –
October 1995
30 Mother Hicks – program, attendance and income report, resources for the hearing
impaired, ticket types – November 1995
31 Romance/Romance – flyer, program, royalty information, contracts, company list,
correspondence, season ticket-holders, total ticket sales and revenue, musical
application form – February 1996
32 All in the Timing – program, total ticket sales and revenue, cast contact list – April 1996
33 LCT 1996-1997 Season – flyers, donation to Bison Bidder’s Bowl, correspondence,
program cover draft
34 Lysistrata – program, attendance report/ticket sales, postcard – November 1996
35 The Skin of Our Teeth – flyer, royalty information, correspondence, guest actor
agreement, contract, estimated expenses for guest actor residency, request for use of a letter of guarantee, note, memo – April 1997
36 LCT 1997-1998 Season – program, flyers, advertising contracts, postcard information
37 Eleemosynary – program and income report – October 1997
38 The Green Bird – program and correspondence – November 1997

Box 3

1 Candide drawings/swatches – May 1982
2 Hayfever drawings/swatches – summer 1985
3 The Robber Bridegroom drawings/swatches – summer 1985
4 Quilters photograph – February 1990

12/05, rev 4/07 & 2/08 – Emily J. Ergen

univarchives@www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu University Archives, 701-231-8914 Published by the University Archives, NDSU Last Updated: 2/06/08