Series consists of files created, with a few exceptions noted in the finding aid, by Celia Franca and relating to the National Ballet of Canada, to her career with it as dancer and artistic director, and to the National Ballet School. Included are Franca's records relating to the administration of the company, such as minutes, reports and correspondence, and files relating to productions, tours and dancers.
Additional material consists of files largely created by Franca during her career as artistic director of the National Ballet (a few files created from unfiled material by the Archives are indicated in the Finding Aid by square brackets). The files contain correspondence, memoranda, printed material and other documentation relating to the National Ballet, as well as personal correspondence received by Franca while she was with the company.
Among the file titles are the following: Stephen Andrews 1962-1974; Erik Bruhn 1963-1974; Canadian Players 1960-1965; Charles Kirby 1965-1969; Anna Loerkeson 1964; Almuth Lutkenhaus 1973-1976; Ray Moller 1959; Lynn Seymour 1964-1965; Lois Smith 1959-1964; and general files on Auditions, Budgets, Choreographers, Composers, Guest Artists, Tours, and other subjects.
Among the many correspondents found in the National Ballet files are the following: Agnes de Mille 1963 (see Choreographers); Harry Somers 1958 (see Composers); Brooke Claxton, Vincent Massey 1959 (see Correspondence, general); Peter Schaufuss, Karen Bowes, Galina Samtsova 1968 (see Correspondence, letters re. CF resigned); Reyna de Barrios 1973, Peggy van Praagh 1974 (see Correspondence, personal); Anthony Crickmay 1974 (see Correspondence re. CF step down); Mark Negin, Constantin Patsalas, Veronica Tennant n.d., Roloff Beny, Anthony [Tudor] 1959, Peggy van Praagh, Kay Ambrose, Jurgen Rose 1964, Heinz Poll 1965, Leo Kersley 1963-1967, and Ann Ditchburn 1972 (see Correspondence, unfiled); Mark Negin, Marie Day 1959 (see Designers); Erik Bruhn 1962, Lynn Seymour 1964 (see Guest artists); Anton Dolin 1957 (see Mayville, Francis); Grant Strate 1963, Erik Bruhn n.d. (see Miscellaneous); John Cranko, Ray Barra 1963-1964 (see Romeo and Juliet); and Ninette de Valois 1963 (see Royal Ballet).
Included in volume 69 (horizontal file): draft floor plan, C.B.C. TV design for production of "Mr. Rogers", 1962, and posters advertising ballets. Three additional lighting plots were received in 2007 for "Queen of Spades" and "Die Fledermaus".
