iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

There were many years when I felt I’d never be able to write a book. Today, it’s featured in displays at bookstores including many Barnes & Noble outlets across the country and is the #1 new release in Magic & Illusion at Amazon Books. Grateful doesn’t begin to cover it.

030

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Today is publication day for Houdini’s Library. Over 10 years of research and planning, and easily over a million items reviewed. Deeply grateful to Abbeville Press for such a beautiful book, all my colleagues @ransomcenter.bsky.social.

260

Reposted by Eric Colleary

Texas Monthly @texasmonthly.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Thanks to dogged detective work by a curator at UT's Harry Ransom Center, an important piece of furniture was rescued from oblivion. It goes on display this month. 👀 www.texasmonthly.com/culture/houdin…

texasmonthly.com

The Mystery of Houdini’s Disappearing Bookcase

It will be a centerpiece in the Harry Ransom Center's new exhibit.

092

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

The first post digs into the current state of the field, where queer culture has never been more popular but the underlying infrastructure to share our stories is at risk.

100

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

My new Substack, The Queer Curator, is live! Join me as I explore the tangled threads of queer cultural stewardship with writers, artists, estates, agents, publishers, producers and more. open.substack.com/pub/queercur...

open.substack.com

Everyone's Culture Now

Welcome to The Queer Curator. We begin with a paradox: queer stories have never sold better, while the underlying infrastructure is under attack.

120

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

A high point in 2025 was interviewing director Sir Richard Eyre onstage at The Globe in London for UT’s Chancellor’s Council. I’ve known him for nearly five years now and acquired his papers for the Ransom Center in 2023. We had such a lovely conversation about leadership and storytelling.

030

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

It’s got a whole section on Houdini’s interest in the Booths!

010

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

My book is done! Houdini’s Library arrives August 4, 2026 from Abbeville Press, with an accompanying exhibition @ransomcenter.bsky.social later that month. A behind-the-curtain look at the private library that fueled Houdini’s imagination and preserved centuries of magic.

262

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

French magician Félicien Trewey at age 37. Known for his remarkable dexterity and wit, Trewey was an acclaimed magician, mime, shadowgraphiste, and early film performer. This photograph, taken around 1885, is part of the personal collection of Harry Houdini, now held @ransomcenter.bsky.social

0123

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

This post: The New Tivoli (the electric sign of Miss Timidity can be seen hanging on the right of the building); The Chinese Theatre burning (April 20); Remains of the Tivoli Opera House. All from the American Theaters Collection @ransomcenter.bsky.social

061

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Previously: Theatre Row (Fishers, Alcazar, Orpheum); The Grand Opera House (Third & Mission St); Columbia Theatre; All that is left of the Alcazar and Fishers. @ransomcenter.bsky.social ‘s American Theaters Collection

121

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

The 1906 earthquake leveled San Francisco—over 80% of the city was destroyed including the city’s vibrant theater district. Opera houses, vaudeville stages, and concert halls were reduced to rubble. These images from @ransomcenter.bsky.social

1125

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Today was a big email catch-up day. I totaled up the number of words emailed over six hours and it was the equivalent of a book chapter. No wonder my writing muscles are tired when I sit down to write an ACTUAL book chapter!

000

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

So close, right? But it surprisingly looks like Houdini in the poster

000

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

I told ChatGPT a bit about what I do for work and gave it an image of me, and asked it to create a portrait of me at work and… it’s kinda shocking. 😳

130

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

We’ve also launched a digital collection that includes early photos & a rare script for the 1903 musical ‘In Dahomey,’ now the third-known variant of the script for one of the earliest major Broadway musicals created and performed by African American artists. hrc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/coll...

020

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Excited to share the Ethel Waters Papers with researchers and visitors to @ransomcenter.bsky.social! Over thirty record storage boxes and 180+ non-commercial recordings of the legendary actress and singer have joined the performing arts collections here. www.hrc.utexas.edu/press/releas...

142

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Autumn days in Austin are sacred.

060

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

David Mamet’s trilogy of short plays, “The Old Neighborhood,” opened #otd Nov. 22, 1997 on Broadway. Mamet’s hometown of Chicago provides the backdrop to what has been referred to as one of his most autobiographical works. | 📸 Poster from Mamet Papers @ransomcenter.bsky.social #theatrehistory

Red poster featuring a blue battered matchbook with “The Old Neighborhood” printed on the cover.

010

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Aww thanks so much for the kind words Dave! Looking forward to seeing you again soon!

010

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

I’m far too anxious of a person to be existing in this timeline.

010

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Have also written extensively on American food history. Focusing more on community care these days. Hello! 👋

020

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

It’s been a minute, so reintroducing myself. I’m a trained theatre historian working in museums, archives, and nonprofits. I live in Austin TX. Married to a wonderful man for over 2 years. Currently writing a book and organizing an exhibit on Houdini’s Library for @ransomcenter.bsky.social

1181

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 07/11/2023

Her papers include voluminous marked scripts that span her career, correspondence, photographs, scrapbooks, clippings, day diaries, and more. The collection is open for research, with many thanks to Ms. Harris for making this gift. 3/3 www.hrc.utexas.edu/research/gui...

000

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 07/11/2023

75+ years of memorable performances incl. Ophelia opposite Peter O’Toole’s Hamlet in the premiere production of @NationalTheatre, her award-winning Eleanor in the 1966 The Lion in Winter on Broadway, to her recent recurring role as Aunt May in Marvel’s Spiderman franchise…. 2/3

110

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 07/11/2023

It’s been a minute since we announced some recent additions to the performing arts collections @ransomcenter.bsky.social Today, I’m sharing the news that iconic actress Rosemary Harris has gifted her papers to the Ransom Center.

110

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 11/10/2023

The performing arts collections here @RansomCenter are vast - dating from the 11th century to the present. I’ve got detailed research guides online (www.hrc.utexas.edu/collections/...), but do reach out with any questions you have about the collections (performingarts@hrc.utexas.edu).

030

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 11/10/2023

The deadline for @RansomCenter fellowship applications is fast approaching - November 1 at Noon CST! We’ll be awarding ~60 fellowships to support travel to the Center, ranging from 1 week to 3 months. More details at: www.hrc.utexas.edu/fellowships/ 🧵1/2

110

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 02/10/2023

Performing arts historian, archives/libraries/museums, digital humanities. Teach archives literacy and connect researchers to resources. Currently working on an exhibit about the impact of the House UnAmerican Activities Committee on the American theatre.

020

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 30/09/2023

"...but my present object is to rebuke those who, having authority, to prevent it, allow and encourage these vagrant showmen, to dupe those whose idle curiosity leads them to dissipate their minds and money at such worthless exhibitions."

000

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 30/09/2023

"Now, as this is the age of humbug, in which the masses either know not or care not, how much they are galled by quackery of every kind, I do not expect to persuade them to keep away from the 'shows...'

100

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 30/09/2023

"Another company... made their appearance here last week, and left for parts unknown, with pockets well filled with hard earnings of laborers, and with the reputation of being mere pretenders to the histrionic art.

100

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 30/09/2023

I've been trying to find traces in local newspapers of an itinerant American actor, whose diary recently came to us @RansomCenter. On the day after his company left Grand Haven, Michigan in Sept. 1851, the local newspaper (Grand River Times) published this passionate op-ed. 🧵

120

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 22/09/2023

They’ll never be the same. Kudos!

010

Eric Colleary @ecolleary.bsky.social · 22/09/2023

Are the skies clearer here? A brief intro: Have worked in museums & libraries for 20+ years. Theatre historian and arts/humanities/nonprofit advocate. Often sharing resources and new/old gems from the collections. Look forward to connecting!

Eric Colleary points to a label text in a museum gallery in front of a group of volunteers. Large photos of performers hang on the walls.

050