C72, 1, Winter, 1977

The Anne H. Thurman papers fill eight and one-half boxes and are arranged in six categories: biographical materials, correspondence, teaching files, research and consulting files, professional organization files, and publication files.

The biographical materials include curricula vitae, her citation for the Creative Drama for Human Awareness Award, clippings about Thurman's work in dramatic activities, her undergraduate diploma from Northwestern, much material relating to her 4-H work in Scottsburg, Indiana, and other items. Three folders of various materials document Thurman's elementary and high school education.

The general correspondence covers a wide range of topics: workshops, speaking engagements, trips formal and informal teaching activities, advice and recommendations for former students and colleagues, and personal matters. General correspondence is arranged in folders chronologically. A few folders of correspondence are organized according to topical headings.

The teaching files occupy about three boxes and include syllabi, reading lists, grade sheets, and student papers. Files are arranged sequentially by course number and alphabetically by topical headings. Student papers are arranged in folders alphabetically by students' surnames.

Most of the research and consulting files concern Thurman's work as project director for the Drama Research Project in Evanston's School District 65. Also of interest are records relating to workshops on drama for the elderly led by Thurman, sponsored by the Northlight Repertory Theatre, and funded by the McCormick Trust.

The professional organizations files are arranged alphabetically by name of organization.

Of special interest in the publications files is material pertaining to Drama Activities with Older Adults: A Handbook for Leaders, written by Thurman and Carol Ann Piggins, and published as volume 2, numbers 2/3, of Activities, Adaptation & Aging (1982).

Addition 1, Box 10 This one box addition to the Anne Thurman Papers includes book orders for Prof. Thurman's courses; clippings and news releases concerning her professional activities; conference, demonstration and workshop programs; general correspondence; curricular materials; and correspondence and reports relating to professional organizations and activities.

The correspondence, arranged chronologically, pertains to teaching and workshops, professional organizations, recommendations, and personal matters. Many of the letters found here are between Thurman and her former students. Of particular interest is a small collection of letters (“Reminiscences of Former Drama Teachers in Evanston Public Schools District 65,” February 20, 1988; Box 10, Folder 9) containing references to Thurman's work as well as two pages of her own recollections.

A small amount of curricular and professional materials complete the addition including most notably a copy of A Model Drama/Theatre Curriculum (American Association of Theatre for Youth and American Association for Theatre in Secondary Education, 1987), to which Thurman contributed.

Addition 2, Boxes 10-11 This addition to the Anne H. Thurman Papers consists of one box of materials, dating 1964–1988. Included in the addition are general correspondence, course syllabi, materials from Thurman's work on the Drama Goals Clarification and Consultants Committee, other professional committee work, and four presentations made by Thurman at various professional gatherings.

Addition 3, Box 12 This addition to the Anne H. Thurman Papers consists of one-half box of materials, dating 1962–1968. Included in the addition are two items pertaining to her research and consulting work. The first is one folder of material relating to Thurman's work as drama supervisor for the Evanston School District 65, Theatre 65 (formerly known as the Children's Theatre of Evanston). The one folder consists of evaluation forms of the program and play lists of productions produced by Theatre 65. The second folder relates to a research project on ability in creative drama, conducted with Paul Torrance, 1966–1967. The addition includes 3rd grade drawings from Washington and Lincoln Schools in Evanston. Other materials from the project can be found in the series (box 6 folders 13–23, box 7 folders 1–11).