TV Exclusive: Uncovering the Film and Tape Archive of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts with Patrick Hoffman!

BroadwayWorld.com is excited to continue a special exclusive content series, in collaboration with The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Future entries will delve into the library's unparalleled archives, and resources. Below, we bring you an exclusive interview with Patrick Hoffman of the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive, who chats about the details of the program's history, as well as how to go about accessing the wide array of footage available!

Since 1970, the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT) has preserved live theatrical productions and documented the creative contributions of distinguished artists and legendary figures of the theatre. With the consent and cooperation of the theatrical unions and each production's artistic collaborators, TOFT produces video recordings of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theatre productions as well as dialogues between notable theatre personalities.

These recordings have revolutionized theatre research, ensuring that today's performances will be tomorrow's legacy, available to future generations for study and inspiration. Endowed, in part, by producer Lucille Lortel, TOFT is housed in a state-of-the-art screening room named in her honor. Titles in the collection may be found in the Library's online catalog or by emailing or telephoning TOFT. The Archive is available to theatre professionals, students, or researchers with work or study-related reasons for viewing. Advance appointments are strongly recommended for viewing. Please call (212) 870-1642.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts houses one of the world's most extensive combination of circulating, reference, and rare archival collections in its field. These materials are available free of charge, along with a wide range of special programs, including exhibitions, seminars, and performances. An essential resource for everyone with an interest in the arts-whether professional or amateur-the Library is known particularly for its prodigious collections of non-book materials such as historic recordings, videotapes, autograph manuscripts, correspondence, sheet music, stage designs, press clippings, programs, posters and photographs. For additional information, visit: www.nypl.org/lpa