Julia Dorn Heflin papers
Scope and Contents
This collection contains correspondence, performance programs and scripts, newspaper clippings, conference and meeting programs, and photographs. The material dates from 1919-1990, with the bulk of the material dating from the 1950s and 1960s. These are the papers of Julia Dorn Heflin, who served as Director of Speech and Drama at Mount Vernon College from 1956-1978. Heflin was also the producer of many theater performances at Mount Vernon while serving as Faculty Advisor to the Prep Players and Curtain Callers student theater groups. Some material in this collection is also generated from Heflin's affiliation with outside theater organizations and her personal correspondence with Mount Vernon alumnae and others in the theater world.
Dates
- 1919-1990
- Majority of material found within 1950 - 1970
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.
Biographical / Historical
Julia Dorn Heflin (1911-2007) served in many capacities during her 22 year tenure at Mount Vernon College. She was hired in 1956 as Director of the Speech and Drama Department at Mount Vernon, a position which she held until 1977, when she was named Professor Emeritus. She also served as Faculty Advisor to the popular student theater groups "The Prep Players" and "The Curtain Callers."
Prior to her arrival at Mount Vernon, Heflin was active in theater production in other cities. Beginning in the 1930s, she acted and worked on Broadway, and also staged a theater production in Moscow, Russia. She co-founded the Bucks County Playhouse (PA) and also served as its company manager and director. In addition, she had a career in journalism, interviewing theater performers for "Stage Magazine" and working as a researcher and writer for the CBS radio program "We, The People."
During her tenure at Mount Vernon, Heflin directed more than 80 stage productions at Mount Vernon. Heflin also served on the Advisory Committee to the Mount Vernon College Arts and Humanities program. During her career, she was actively involved in many theater and arts organizations beyond the Mount Vernon campus.
After her retirement, she worked tirelessly to ensure that the drama program continued at Mount Vernon. She maintained contact with Mount Vernon alumnae and drama students from other colleges and universities regarding their theater careers.
Julia Dorn Heflin died in Washington, DC, in August 2007 at the age of 96.
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet (3 document boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Julia Dorn Heflin papers consist of material relating to her career at Mount Vernon College and her external work in the theater arts community of Washington, DC. Heflin was Director of the Drama and Speech department at Mount Vernon College and as faculty advisor to the popular "Prep Players" and "Curtain Callers" student theater groups. This collection consists of Heflin's personal and professional correspondence, performance programs and scripts, clippings, material relating to development of classes in speech and drama and her work with theater organizations. The inclusive dates of the collection are 1911-1990, with the bulk of the material dating from the 1950s and 1960s.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into two series: Mount Vernon professional work and Personal correspondence and outside activities.
Physical Location
Materials may be stored off-site, and may require additional retrieval time. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection acquired by GWU upon merger with Mount Vernon College. Collection transferred to Foggy Bottom campus.
- Drama Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Julia Dorn Heflin
- Mount Vernon College
- Mount Vernon Seminary
- Performances Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Performing arts Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Plays (document genre) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Student organizations Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Theater Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Theater management Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Guide to the Julia Dorn Heflin papers, 1919-1990
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
- Date
- 2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository
