Heather Murray Elkins papers, 1974-1990
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Summary
- Creator:
- Elkins, Heather Murray
- Abstract:
- Heather Murray Elkins received degrees in playwriting and divinity from the University of Arizona, Duke University, and Drew University. She was the first Religion and Arts intern at Duke Chapel and went on to become a professor of worship, preaching, and the arts at Drew University's Theological School. This collection consists of Elkins' scripts, essays, booklets, sermons, and materials for performances at Duke. Also included in the collection is a copy of her book, Forked Tongues: Methods of Creating Bicultural Drama.
- Extent:
- 1.25 Linear Feet
- Language:
- Material in English, Korean, and Navajo
- Collection ID:
- UA.30.01.0100
- University Archives Record Group:
- 30 -- Student and Alumni Papers and Materials
30 -- Student and Alumni Papers and Materials > 01 -- Individuals
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection consists largely of Heather Murray Elkins' writings. This includes scripts, essays, booklets, sermons, and materials related to events at Duke University. Also contains a scrapbook of photographs, clippings, and programs from; a photo album for The Dance of Mary and Martha; and a copy of Elkins' book, Forked Tongues: Methods of Creating Bicultural Drama, which is mostly written in English with some plays including Navajo translations. Elkins provided an inventory with background information about the collection which is also included.
- Biographical / historical:
-
After receiving an undergraduate degree from Prescott University in 1970, Heather Murray Elkins received a master's degree in playwriting from the University Arizona in 1972, master's in divinity from Duke University in 1977, and a doctoral degree from Drew University in 1991. Elkins taught at an independent bilingual Navajo school after graduating from the University of Arizona. In 1974, she published Forked Tongues: Methods of Creating Bicultural Drama, which uses Navajo origin stories and plays written by Elkins and students to share methods of storytelling that also incorporate dance and chant. While at Duke, she created dramatic performances using a similar form of storytelling for biblical texts. Elkins authored essays and creative works on this concept of "bodying the word." This includes scripts for The Dance of Mary and Martha (1975); By Faith...The Word Became Flesh (1977); and Oh, Mary, Don't You Weep (1978). Elkins became the first Religion and Arts intern at Duke Chapel in the spring of 1975. In 1989, she accepted a position as professor at Drew University's Theological School. She went on to publish books about religion and the arts and was later named the Frederick Hannan Emerita Professor of Worship, Preaching, and the Arts at Drew University.
Sources: Collection background and inventory, Heather Murray Elkins papers, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
https://depts.drew.edu/tsfac/helkins/, accessed 2023 October 9
- Acquisition information:
- The Heather Murray Elkins papers were received by the University Archives as a gift from Heather Murray Elkins in 2023.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by April Blevins, October 2023
Accessions described in this collection guide: UA2023-0049
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
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Contents
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- Restrictions:
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Collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
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- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Heather Murray Elkins papers, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
- Permalink:
- https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1mn0d