Abstract
The Donna Silva Lighting Design Plans (1986-1996) contain blueprints and schedule binders for a number of projects Silva worked on in Las Vegas, Nevada including the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, The Orleans Hotel & Casino, Golden Nugget, and the MGM Grand Hotel. Also included are lighting plans for the Foxwoods Resort Casino (operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) in Connecticut, Caesars Atlantic City, and Players Island (now CasaBlanca Resort) in Mesquite, Nevada.
Finding Aid PDF
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Scope and Contents Note
The Donna Silva Lighting Design Plans (1986-1996) contain blueprints and schedule binders for a number of projects Silva worked on in Las Vegas, Nevada including the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, The Orleans Hotel & Casino, Golden Nugget, and the MGM Grand Hotel. Also included are lighting plans for the Foxwoods Resort Casino (operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) in Connecticut, Caesars Atlantic City, and Players Island (now CasaBlanca Resort) in Mesquite, Nevada.
Access Note
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections and Archives website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged by project.
Biographical / Historical Note
Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, Donna Silva has worked in Las Vegas, New York, and elsewhere as a stagehand/lighting technician since the 1970s. In 1977, Silva became the first recognized female union member of IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) Local 720. Silva's long career includes work with Siegfried and Roy's production show, lighting the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino and their Emerald City display, and working with Summer Stock Theatre and similar groups over the years. Silva was instrumental in working with famed theatrical lighting designer David Hersey on the Mirage Volcano, as well as with other Wynn Properties marquee products.
Preferred Citation
Donna Silva Lighting Design Plans, 1985-1996. MS-01151. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. http://n2t.net/ark:/62930/f1fv2h
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Acquisition Note
Materials were donated in 2023 and 2024 by Donna Silva; accession numbers 2023-036 and 2024-016.
Processing Note
In 2023, Sarah Jones arranged and described the collection, entered the data into ArchivesSpace, and wrote the front matter description. In 2024, Sarah Jones added materials from the 2024 accession and updated the finding aid.
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Appraisal Note
Acquired by Visual Materials Curator, Aaron Mayes, as part of UNLV Special Collections and Archives holdings in architecture and design. All material that formed the original gift has been retained.