Departmental Correspondence, 1954-1971

This series is comprised of the administrative records of the Theatre Department of the School of Speech. The series, mainly comprised of departmental correspondence and a few subject files, spans the years from 1950 through 1977.

The departmental correspondence, 1954-1977, includes both incoming and outgoing letters and is largely of a routine nature. It primarily concerns the Theatre Department's graduate program, students, and productions and includes applications for admission to the Department's program of study as well as many letters of recommendation for former Northwestern students.

The departmental correspondence is divided into two subseries. One subseries includes correspondence generated and maintained by Department Chairman Lee Mitchell (1951-1968) and his successor, Robert I. Schneideman (1968-1971). This correspondence is arranged alphabetically by folders according to surname of correspondent and facilitates easy access to student recommendations. The second subseries includes departmental correspondence generated and maintained by Chairman Leslie A. Hinderyckx (1971- ) from 1972 to 1977. This correspondence is arranged chronologically by folder and within folders alphabetically by surname.

A small number of subject files concern departmental awards, fellowships, and scholarships; and the Theatre graduate program, especially doctoral candidates. Intradepartmental memoranda generated between 1965 end 1970, and Department Staff Meeting Minutes from 1954 and from 1962 through 1973 are arranged chronologically. Departmental form letters largely concerning admissions procedures and other routine matters and a small amount of correspondence and related materials pertaining to the Jeanne Lewis Fenton Memorial Fund also are included in the subject files.