The Gold Dust Ghost, circa 1960s

The Mary Jane Evans Papers, 1945-1987, is comprised of correspondence, hand and typewritten notes, newspaper and periodical articles, greeting and notes cards, project and position papers, agreements, agendas, reports, schedules, fliers, programs, play typescripts, journals, newsletters, curricula, syllabi, books, newsletters, professional journals and articles, colleague and student papers, newspaper reviews, posters, photographs, slides, musical scores and a handbook. The collection documents over thirty years of her professional career as a theatre for youth educator, stage director and author.

Series I: Professional History: This series, 1957-1988, mostly contains biographical material and documentation of her extensive participation in professional theatre and education organizations and conferences. The remainder of the series documents her community service and project work. The biographical information consists of correspondence, handwritten notes, newspaper and periodical articles, greeting and notes cards, letters of support and recognition, and a few play programs. The professional theatre and educational organizations and conferences materials contain position papers, keynote addresses, handwritten notes, correspondence, agendas, reports, schedules, fliers, conference programs, professional journals, newsletters and colleagues papers on creative drama, drama in education and children's theatre. These provide information on her involvement with: Trainers of Teacher Trainers; the Wingspread national theatre conference; the American Theatre Association (ATA); and the Children's Theatre Association of Americas (CTAA) panels, sessions, seminars, and symposiums. The community service and projects document her presentations on children's theatre and arts in education to the community and her consulting work for the California Arts and Humanities Council. Included are project agreements and reports, correspondence, fliers, programs, and presentation papers. There is no arrangement beyond original order.

Series II: Educator: This series, 1957-1984, contains teaching and resource materials created and collected by Evans for university education on the topics of creative drama, children's theatre, arts advocacy, and assessment. It contains: creative drama and children's theatre curricula and syllabi; correspondence; books, some heavily annotated; newsletters; professional journals and articles; position papers; hand and typewritten lecture and presentation notes; newspaper articles; colleague and student papers; and program reports. Of note are the materials on audience studies. There is no arrangement beyond original order.

Series III: Author: This series, 1945-1985, documents her numerous written works on creative drama, arts education, children's theatre, and child audiences. It consists of: journal and periodical articles, book reviews, and editorials; newsletters, journals; and correspondence with publisher Orlin Corey and co-author Jed Davis regarding the book, Theatre, Children and Youth. Of note in the following Director series is the play typescript for The Rose and the Ring, an adaptation written by Evans. The series arrangement is chronological.

Series IV: Director: This series, 1953-1972, contains production materials of plays directed by Evans. It mostly consists of play programs, newspaper articles and reviews, posters, fliers, rehearsal schedules, production photographs, slides, and a few musical scores and play typescripts with revisions, a directors handbook, and thank you notes. Of note is the play typescript for The Rose and the Ring, a novel adapted by Mary Jane Evans.