Scope and arrangement
The Clinton King, Jr. papers contain programs, photographs, correspondence, scripts, clippings, prop lists, tour itineraries, and other papers and memorabilia from King's theater career. A detailed inventory of the collection, supplied by the donor, is available under Additional Resources. The inventory lists every item in the collection, arranged by subject, with the exception of King's collection of programs, which are listed in another document. The inventory uses file numbers that were assigned by King.
The collection includes programs, photographs, and copies of tests from the Yale University Department of Drama, dating primarily from 1936 to 1938. Material related to the New Jersey Federal Theatre includes programs and scenic designs from a 1938 production of Around the World in 80 Days. Material related to the 1945 USO Camp Shows tour of Arsenic and Old Lace includes correspondence and photographs that document King's work as a stage manager as well as his experiences touring in postwar Europe. Annotated scripts are present for Around the World in 80 Days; Porgy and Bess; Bell, Book and Candle; and Arms and the Man (1950).
The collection also contains King's collection of theater, dance, opera, and concert programs, mostly from Newark and New York City theaters. Programs dating from 1904 to 1914, as well as one program dating to 1889, were collected by King's aunt. Programs dating from 1926 to 1966 were collected by King and are mostly from shows he worked on or attended. A complete list of the programs dating from 1926 to 1966 is available under Additional Resources.
Arrangement
Papers documenting King's career are arranged in roughly chronological order by subject. His collection of programs is arranged by year. An item-level inventory of the collection and a list of programs (dating from 1926 to 1966) is available under Additional Resources. There is no list of programs dating from 1889 to 1914.