The Frank McMullan Papers contain correspondence, topical files, lecture notes, production files and promptbooks, typescripts and manuscripts, photographs, costume and set drawings, and printed material relating to McMullan's career in educational and professional theatre. The six linear feet of papers are arranged in four series: I. Correspondence and Topical Files, 1945-1966; II. Writings and Lecture Materials, 1931-1976; III. Production Files and Promptbooks, 1933-1967; and IV. Photographic Material, 1925-1972.
The bulk of the CORRESPONDENCE AND TOPICAL FILES (Series I) dates from 1945 to 1966 and relates to McMullan's activities as a theatre educator and director at universities and professional theatres in the United States and abroad. The series includes McMullan's correspondence with Sir Barry Jackson and Leonard Crainford relating to McMullan's production at Stratford-on-Avon, England; correspondence, reports and printed material relating to McMullan's work in Chile, Panama, and the United Arab Republic; personal and work-related correspondence with Allardyce Nicoll, Peter Brook, and John Shubert. No files relating specifically to McMullan's administrative activities at the Yale School of Drama are contained in the papers. The correspondence files of Kingman Brewster, Walter P. Eaton and Allardyce Nicoll provide some insight into that aspect of his career.
Series II, WRITINGS AND LECTURE MATERIALS, dates from 1931 to 1976 and consists of teaching files containing notes and newspaper and magazine clippings which relate to dramatic theorists, playwrights, directors, actors and aspects of theatrical production; manuscripts and typescripts of lectures; notes, clippings and typescripts relating to his book Directing Shakespeare in the Contemporary Theatre.Two files, "Drama 27" and "Play Directing (Course Syllabus)" date from McMullan's graduate study at Yale.
Series III, PRODUCTION FILES AND PROMPTBOOKS, consists of correspondence, notes, clippings, cast lists, set and costume sketches, promptbooks, and programs relating to productions which McMullan directed in educational and professional theatres in the United States, England, Chile, and Panama.
The bulk of PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL (Series IV) consists of photoprints and slides of theatrical productions which were directed by McMullan and others. In addition, there are portrait and candid photoprints of McMullan and photoprints of other individuals, institutions and course-related subjects.