The Mary Beth Hurt papers date from 1982 to 2000 and measure 11. 5 linear feet. The records are arranged in seven series: Biographical, Theater, Film, TV, Books, Photographs, and Artifacts.

The Biographical series (1964-2003) consists of awards, newspaper clippings, diplomas, journals, and correspondence. Also included are the playbills from Hurt’s Tony awards in 1976, 1981, 1982 and 1985 as well as her 1985 Tony nomination. Photographs of Hurt are included in the Awards and Notes folders in this series.

The Theater series (1966-2008), is organized alphabetically according to the name of the production. Scripts, screen plays, playbills, photographs, high school programs, and newspaper clippings are included in this series. The bulk of the materials consist of playbills and scripts. The script for the staged reading of My Son is a Splendid Diver and the script of Comedy Script, which is a satire about former president George W. Bush are among the unique material that this series offers. The 2007 program of the Spirit Awards is also included in the Theater series. The last folders in the series contain news clippings from Hurt’s theater and film experiences.

The Film series (1978-2008) is organized alphabetically according to the name of the production. Scripts, screen plays, photographs, and newspaper clippings are included in the series. Screen plays make up most of this series. Photographs can be found in Life of Jean Seberg and The World According to Garp folders. The back of Hurt’s stage chair from The Dead Girl, is a unique item that is located with the materials from that film.

The Television (1974-2001) series is also organized alphabetically according to the name of the production. Scripts and screen plays are included in this series.

The Photograph series (1962-2004) is organized alphabetically by production name or content. Unlabeled and miscellaneous photographs are arranged by year at the beginning of the series. Included in the series are photographs from the productions she was in as well as reviews, interviews, programs, and letters. They span the time from her work in high school until the 1980s. The photographs are mostly of the cast and crew. Some are live action shots from the productions and headshots for publicity. Photographs from her wedding to Hurt and from some of the trips she took in the 1970s are included and give a glimpse into her personal life. Some snap shots are also included in the General folders.

Two albums from Hurt’s high school and college years are included in the Photographs series. One had many interleaved materials from later in her life which are also included in the album series. Ticket stubs, programs, certificates, cast photos, and a “The New Yorker” magazine (2004) and a “Florida Horse Sales Summary” (1962) are also included in box 15 with the album. The second album located in box 20, contains photos and reviews for the plays that Hunt was in during her time at the University of Iowa.

The Books series (1979-1996) contains several books about the theater and film. Hurt is pictured or mentioned in them. Of particular interest is the book The Masks, in which Hurt designed a mask with many other theater performers.

The Artifacts series (1948-1986) contains of many different types of materials. Badges from movies, awards, trinkets, film and theater posters, and framed and mounted photographs of Hurt from productions are included. The materials are located in box 23-26.