TLS, two pages, 8.5 x 11, The Actors Studio letterhead, no date. Letter to actor Paul Newman, in full: "For the better part of The Studio's Life, Gadg, Cheryl and I have been the sole Institute members. We were in complete accord as to the purpose of The Studio and therefore felt no need to change its structure. However, with Gadg off on his own and the others less active, the time has come to enlarge the ownership of The Studio. Life being what it is, and the future uneasy as it is, it is necessary to start to plan for the future eventualities. We have therefore decided to make a first step and invite you and others to become Institute Members—the equivalent of the shareholders of a business corporation—so that you can begin to share this responsibility with us, and so that The Studio can benefit from your participation through the coming years. When this first step is completed, then those who accept will be asked to suggest additional Institute Members. We hope that you will accept this responsibility because the future of The Studio is involved. We are informed by our legal counsel, Mr. Laurence Vogel of Schaeffer, Kahn, Dale & Vogel that your role will not entail any legal or financial responsibility. You will, however, be assuming responsibility for the continuing creative life of The Studio. The enlarged ownership of The Studio that will result in each of you accepting our invitation will insure the attachment of The Studio's goal to continue to be the life force of the theatre. Unfortunately, no other organization has arisen to perform this essential function. The legal election of the new shareholders of The Studio will take place on May 1, 1971. Please let us know as soon as you can whether we can prepare a stock certificate in your name." In fine condition. Founded on October 5, 1947, by Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford and Robert Lewis, the Actors Studio is a membership organization for professional actors, theatre directors and playwrights. After attending the Yale School of Drama for one year, Newman moved to New York City to study at the Actors Studio under Lee Strasberg, the president of the organization since 1951. When Strasberg died in 1982, Newman took over the helm and remained in the position until 1994.
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