Fonds consists of the following series of records: Family material, n.d., 1915-1984; Correspondence, n.d., 1915-1984; Journals, address books and notebooks, n.d., 1938-1984; Manuscripts, n.d., 1935-1984; Playscripts, n.d.; Education, n.d., ca. 1921-1983; Archives, teaching career, 1939-1954, 1976-1984; Theatre career, n.d., 1949-1984; Financial material, n.d., 1950-1983; Miscellaneous theatre programmes, n.d., 1941-1984; Miscellaneous clippings and magazine articles, n.d., 1940-1973; and Scrapbooks, 1927-1984. The fonds also contains photographs of Amelia Hall, and her family, friends, and colleagues; including photographs which document the acting career of Hall and events and organizations related to the theatre in Canada, [ca. 1890-1984]. Also included are audio recordings by or about Amelia Hall, the Canadian Repertory Theatre (including interviews with former members, play rehersals, and poetry recitations), and the Stratford Festival, n.d., 1961-1984. The fonds also contains home movies primarily relating to the Stratford Festival, 1963-1974, and a compilation of extracts of dramatic performances by Amelia Hall, 1960-1980. Also included in the fonds is a sketchbook relating to Hall's life and career as an actress, including costume designs; a theatre poster for Manitoba Theatre Centre's Nicholas Romenov, ca. 1965-1966; and a sketchbook of 10 folios, possibly done by Hall.
Hall, Amelia Wells, 1916-1984 : Amelia Hall, born in 1915 at Leeds, England, was the daughter of Elizabeth Metcalf and Arthur Hall. Arthur Hall, a private in the W. Yorkshire Regiment, was declared missing in February 1917. Amelia and her mother came to Canada in 1921 through the Overseas Settlement Committee. They settled in Hamilton, Ont., where Amelia received her education from Delta Collegiate and McMaster University, B.A., 1938. After studying at the Ontario College of Education, she taught at the High School of Commerce in Ottawa, 1939-1948. While teaching, she also directed and acted with the Ottawa Drama League and during wartime summers studied at U.B.C. and Banff, performed in Shakespearean plays and, in 1946, attended Columbia University, New York. In 1948 Amelia Hall left her teaching position to become a full-time actress and in 1949 was a joint founder of the Junior Theatre in Ottawa. The Glass Menagerie at Montreal Repertory Theatre launched her professional acting career. She served as President of the Stage Society, Ottawa, and joined the Canadian Repertory Theatre (CRT) Ottawa in 1949, and later co-managed the company with actor Sam Payne. She remained with the CRT for 5 seasons, 1949-1954, during which time over 150 productions were mounted at the La Salle Academy. Amelia Hall's long association with the Stratford Shakespearean Festival, from 1953 until her death in 1984, began with her role as female lead opposite Alex Guiness in The Tragedy of Richard III. Amelia Hall also appeared in productions at other theatres throughout Canada and in the United States, including the Crest Theatre, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Shaw Festival, National Arts Centre and the American Shakespearean Festival. She also worked in radio and television, appearing, for instance, in the CBC TV drama Jalna and the film Iceman. She was awarded a centennial medal in 1967 for her work in Canadian theatre and the Order of Canada in 1982. Amelia Hall passed away in Toronto in 1984.
