Houston History Research Center (HHRC) receives
Theater LaB Houston’s Archives
By Abra Schnur, Processing Archivist
Theater LaB Houston opened its doors in 1993 in the historical First Ward district. Founder Gerald LaBita envisioned the theater
as a space that would produce and stage national and international contemporary plays, both dramas and comedies,
as well as musicals. It specialized in “off-Broadway” theater and operated until 2018.
During the 1980s, while Gerald LaBita was the Director for Human Resources at Finger Furniture and an adjunct instructor at Houston Community College, he was also active in local theater, participating in acting, stage managing, directing, lighting, and set design.
He enjoyed working in the theater so much that he decided to create this own theater space.
The building, located at 1706 Alamo Street, was originally a small neighborhood grocery own by LaBita’s parents.
It was reimagined to be a modular space, allowing for the flexibility in stage design and interaction with the audience.
During the theater’s development, LaBita established a board and business plan for the theater. Thus, “the LaB” was born.
He traveled to other major cities searching for productions and guest artists he could bring to the LaB.
The LaB produced over 150 works and hosted three fringe festivals, a first of its kind in the city.
The LaB also raised funds to create Thespian Park, which was located on the corner of Alamo and Colorado.
This park featured murals depicting theater history designed by artist Rodolphe Zarka. In 2012 LaBita sold the building on Alamo
and the LaB partnered with Obsidian Art Space, the MATCH, and the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center to finish out its 25-year run.
Archivist Abra Schnur and volunteer Claudia Cardenas processed the new collection in the fall of 2019.
The collection includes material such as programs, mailers, reviews, and production photos from some of the 150+ productions.
Included are original set design renderings and photos of stages created by Boris Kaplun, and a wonderful collection
of needlepoint ornaments created for many of the productions by patron Kathleen Gay Peeples.
The collection also contains promo video clips of their later productions and a series of video montages
from their building closing celebration in 2012.
Additionally, there are several playbills and programs from performances that inspired local productions at the LaB.
There are architectural drawings and photographs of the building and renovation of 1706 Alamo Street and
information on the creation of Thespian Park.
Also donated was the original signage for the theater.
Our finding aid for this collection is available online. We have plenty of information about how to
https://hplarchives.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2
If you'd like more information, you can contact us via email at: [email protected].
Citations:
Pictures feature archival materials from the Theater LaB Houston collection (RG E 0100), and appear courtesy of HHRC.
Theater LaB Houston’s Archives
By Abra Schnur, Processing Archivist
Theater LaB Houston opened its doors in 1993 in the historical First Ward district. Founder Gerald LaBita envisioned the theater
as a space that would produce and stage national and international contemporary plays, both dramas and comedies,
as well as musicals. It specialized in “off-Broadway” theater and operated until 2018.
During the 1980s, while Gerald LaBita was the Director for Human Resources at Finger Furniture and an adjunct instructor at Houston Community College, he was also active in local theater, participating in acting, stage managing, directing, lighting, and set design.
He enjoyed working in the theater so much that he decided to create this own theater space.
The building, located at 1706 Alamo Street, was originally a small neighborhood grocery own by LaBita’s parents.
It was reimagined to be a modular space, allowing for the flexibility in stage design and interaction with the audience.
During the theater’s development, LaBita established a board and business plan for the theater. Thus, “the LaB” was born.
He traveled to other major cities searching for productions and guest artists he could bring to the LaB.
The LaB produced over 150 works and hosted three fringe festivals, a first of its kind in the city.
The LaB also raised funds to create Thespian Park, which was located on the corner of Alamo and Colorado.
This park featured murals depicting theater history designed by artist Rodolphe Zarka. In 2012 LaBita sold the building on Alamo
and the LaB partnered with Obsidian Art Space, the MATCH, and the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center to finish out its 25-year run.
Archivist Abra Schnur and volunteer Claudia Cardenas processed the new collection in the fall of 2019.
The collection includes material such as programs, mailers, reviews, and production photos from some of the 150+ productions.
Included are original set design renderings and photos of stages created by Boris Kaplun, and a wonderful collection
of needlepoint ornaments created for many of the productions by patron Kathleen Gay Peeples.
The collection also contains promo video clips of their later productions and a series of video montages
from their building closing celebration in 2012.
Additionally, there are several playbills and programs from performances that inspired local productions at the LaB.
There are architectural drawings and photographs of the building and renovation of 1706 Alamo Street and
information on the creation of Thespian Park.
Also donated was the original signage for the theater.
Our finding aid for this collection is available online. We have plenty of information about how to
https://hplarchives.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2
If you'd like more information, you can contact us via email at: [email protected].
Citations:
Pictures feature archival materials from the Theater LaB Houston collection (RG E 0100), and appear courtesy of HHRC.