Scope and arrangement
The Murray Spalding papers outline Spalding's career through performance production files; photographs; choreographic notebooks; scrapbooks; performance reviews; dance company records; teaching files; and other materials. Notable performance titles appearing frequently throughout the collection include: Bathroom Games; Be; Crossings; Blue Ring; Doubtful Guest, which was a collaboration with Edward Gorey; A Fine Romance, and the Mandalas series. The photographs and performance production files comprise the largest share of the collection and, together with the choreographic notebooks and scrapbooks, demonstrate a full picture of Spalding's career, her thought processes, and creative practice.
The performance production section holds files for dance works Spalding either performed in or choreographed. These files may include programs, promotional materials, rehearsal notes, choreography and staging notes, and dancer contact information. They are arranged chronologically.
The photograph files include publicity portraits, photographs of rehearsals, and photographs of performances. Most are labeled with dates or titles of performances. George A. Peterson, a professional photographer and Spalding's first husband, shot many of the images from the 1970s. Photographs from the 1970s and 1980s are primarily black and white 8 X 10" prints, sometimes including negatives. Most photographs from the 1990s are color 4 x 6" prints and those from the 2000s are digital files.
Choreographic notebooks date mostly from Spalding's student years and her later choreographic work. They include sequence lists, choreographic diagrams, and journal entries. Some loose pages of choreographic notes are also included in this section.
Three scrapbooks provide a timeline of Spalding's life in dance from her teen years up to 1988 through carefully affixed photographs, clippings, programs, and fliers.
Several files of clippings contain reviews of performances and other articles about Spalding or her dance company. Many are photocopies.
The Murray Spalding Movement Arts files contain sporadic business records of the dance company including theater floor plans, some correspondence, and board of advisors meeting notes.
Teaching files relate to workshops Spalding taught and classes offered through Murray Spalding Movement Arts.
Other materials include: resumes and biographic sketches of Spalding; grants; correspondence; a file on her teacher and mentor Bessie Schönberg; Spalding's education; publicity materials; and a memorial service held in Spalding's honor.
Arrangement
The Murray Spalding papers are arranged alphabetically by section.