The Yale Drama School Design Projects subseries contains concept sketches and color renderings of set designs for classroom design projects during Cothran's time at Yale Drama School. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1954-1957, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

The Various Projects subseries contains color sketches, color renderings, and paint elevations of settings for various stage production projects Cothran worked on between 1957 and 1967. Materials in this subseries are arranged chronologically by date of the production, and alphabetically by Cothran's titles within the same dates, with one undated item listed at the end of the subseries.

The Grand Ole Opry subseries contains color renderings of set designs, and photographs of Cothran working on a set model, the stage crew preparing sets, and performances for the broadcasts for the 1965-1966 season of the "Grand Ole Opry," a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee. The season was broadcast on television by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). Materials in this subseries are dated from 1965-1966, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's titles.

The Androcles and the Lion subseries contains scene design perspective drawings, prints, and floor plans for the 1970 performance of "Androcles and the Lion" at the MacPherson Theatre during the Victoria Fair in Victoria, British Columbia. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1970, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

The Indians subseries contains one color rendering of the setting for the 1970 production of "Indians" performed at the Phoenix Theatre at the University of Victoria in British Columbia.

The Turcaret subseries contains color renderings and measured drawings for the 1970 production of "Turcaret" performed at the MacPherson Theatre in Victoria, British Columbia. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1970, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

A Trip Abroad subseries contains setting perspective drawings, paint elevations, and measured drawings for the 1971 production of "A Trip Abroad" performed at the MacPherson Theatre during the Victoria Fair in Victoria, British Columbia. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1971, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

The Measure for Measure subseries contains one perspective view of the setting for the 1973 production of "Measure for Measure" performed at the Clarence Brown Theatre.

The New Bowery Follies and Lyceum Gardens Review subseries contains color renderings of the setting for the 1976 production of "New Bowery Follies and Lyceum Gardens Review" performed by the Clarence Brown Company. This production was the first staged version of the show that was eventually developed into "Sugar Babies," which opened on Broadway in 1979. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1976, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

The Rip Van Winkle subseries contains an early concept sketch for act 1, scene 1, and sketches, plans, and prints of other various scenes for the 1976 productions of "Rip Van Winkle," performed at the Clarence Brown Theatre and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1976, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

A Horse of a Different Color subseries contains one color rendering of the setting for the 1979 production of "A Horse of a Different Color" performed by the Clarence Brown Company.

The Night Must Fall subseries contains one perspective drawing of the setting for the 1980 production of "Night Must Fall," performed at the Clarence Brown Theatre.

The Mikado subseries contains a floor plan and a perspective view of the setting for the 1982 production of "The Mikado" performed at the Clarence Brown Theatre. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1982, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

The Tartuffe subseries contains paint elevations, and perspective and preliminary sketches of the setting for the 1982 production of "Tartuffe," performed at the Eisenhower Theatre at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1982, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

A Christmas Carol subseries contains scene sketches, prints, and measured drawings of settings for the 1985-1996 productions of "A Christmas Carol," adapted by Wandalie Henshaw and performed at the Clarence Brown Theatre. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1985-1996, and are arranged chronologically by date on the design, and then alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Honky-Tonk Nights subseries contains early concept sketches and plans, fully developed concept sketches and plans, and revised scene-to-scene sketches and plans of set designs for the 1986 production of "Honky-Tonk Nights," performed at the Biltmore Theatre on Broadway. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1986, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

The Blake subseries contains scene sketches and prints, scenic unit development sketches and prints, paint elevations of backdrops, and measured drawings of set designs for the unfinished production of the opera "Blake." This production went through technical rehearsals, but never opened due to funding problems. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1989 and 1991, and are arranged chronologically, and alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Blood Wedding subseries contains setting elevation drawings, paintings, and prints, as well as measured drawings of the set designs for the 1991 production of "Blood Wedding." This production was performed by the Clarence Brown Company in collaboration with the Communicado Theatre Company at the Carousel Theatre. Materials in this series are dated from 1991, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

A Horse of a Different Color subseries contains a set sketch and plan, and measured set design drawings for the 1991 production of "A Horse of a Different Color" performed at the Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1991, and are arranged chronologically by the dates on the designs.

The Into the Woods subseries contains scene-by-scene schematic stage elevations and plans, cartoon preparation drawings, measured drawings, and color renderings of set designs for the 1991 production of "Into the Woods," performed at the Clarence Brown Theatre. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1991, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

The Wonderful Life subseries contains perspective drawings and prints, measured drawings and prints, and a paint elevation for scenes of the 1992 production of "Wonderful Life" performed at the Tennessee Repertory Theatre. Materials in this series are dated from 1992, and are arranged chronologically by dates on the designs, and alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Game of Love and Chance subseries contains perspective sketches, plans, and paint elevations of the set design, as well as a photograph of the stage setting, and a hand-printed lithograph for the 1994 and 1995 productions of "The Game of Love and Chance." The 1994 production was performed at the Studio Arena Theatre, and the 1995 production was performed at the Capital Repertory Theatre. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1994-1995, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

The Dial M for Murder subseries contains color renderings, preliminary sketches and plans, and measured drawings and prints for the set design of the 1995 production of "Dial M for Murder," performed at the Studio Arena Theatre. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1995, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

The Ah, Wilderness! subseries contains color renderings, preliminary sketches and plans of the set designs for the 1995 and 1996 productions of "Ah, Wilderness!" The production was performed in 1995 at the Studio Arena Theatre, and again in 1996 at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1995-1996, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

The She Loves Me subseries contains color renderings and measured drawings of scenes for the 1996 production of "She Loves Me," performed by the Clarence Brown Company. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1995-1996, and are arranged chronologically by dates on the designs, and alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Bronte Cycle: Flowers of Fancy and the Seduction of Charlotte Bronte subseries contains sketches and plans of representative elements and scenic vocabulary, printed copies of paint elevations of scenes, measured drawings of the set, and copies of photographs of moments in the 1997 production of "The Bronte Cycle: Flowers of Fancy and the Seduction of Charlotte Bronte." This was the world premiere of John O'Keefe's play, performed at the Clarence Brown Theatre. Materials in this series are dated from 1997, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

The Glass Menagerie subseries contains measured drawings of set designs, and color renderings of scenes for the 1999 productions of "The Glass Menagerie" performed at the Studio Arena Theatre and Syracuse Stage. Materials in this subseries are dated from 1998-1999, and are arranged chronologically by date on the design, and alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Hamlet subseries contains measured drawings of set designs, paint elevations of scenes, and color copies of photographs of setting models and scenes from the 2000 production of "Hamlet," performed by the Clarence Brown Company and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2000, and are arranged chronologically by date on the design, and alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Italian American Reconciliation subseries contains measured drawings of set designs, as well as preliminary sketches, plans, and color renderings of scenes for the 2000 production of "The Italian American Reconciliation" performed at the Studio Arena Theatre. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2000, and are arranged chronologically by date on the design, and alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Picture of Dorian Gray subseries contains color renderings, paint elevations, preliminary sketches and plans, and measured drawings for the set of the 2000 production of "The Picture of Dorian Gray," performed at the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theater. Additionally, there is a production poster that was not designed by Cothran. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2000, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's titles.

The Balcony subseries contains measured drawings and prints of set designs, and preliminary color sketches and paint elevations of scenes for the 2001 production of "The Balcony" performed at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2001, and are arranged chronologically by date on the design, and alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Fair and Tender Ladies subseries contains setting renderings and measured drawings, a preliminary sketch and scale plan, and a paint elevation of the deck for the 2001 production of "Fair and Tender Ladies," performed at the Theater Virginia. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2001, and are arranged chronologically by date on the design, and alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Brighton Beach Memoirs subseries contains a color rendering, a perspective sketch and plan, and measured drawings and prints of the set for the 2002 production of "Brighton Beach Memoirs" performed at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2002, and are arranged chronologically by date on the design, and alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Die Walkure subseries contains color renderings, paint elevations, and measured drawings for settings of the 2002 production of "Die Walkure," performed at the Virginia Opera. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2002, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

The Fiddler on the Roof subseries contains a color rendering of the prologue set, and preliminary perspective sketches and measured drawings of other scenes of the 2003 production of "Fiddler on the Roof" performed at the Cumberland County Playhouse and Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2001-2003, and are arranged chronologically by date on the design, and alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Much Ado About Nothing subseries contains color renderings, preliminary plans and sketches, and measured drawings of the set for the 2003 production of "Much Ado About Nothing" performed at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. This production was set in the 19th century American west. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2003, and are arranged chronologically by date on the design, and alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Proof subseries contains a sketch, plan, paint elevations and measured drawings for the set of the 2003 production of "Proof" performed at the Studio Arena Theatre. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2003, and are arranged chronologically by date on the design, and alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Titus Andronicus subseries contains preliminary sketches and plans, measured drawings, a paint elevation, and a color rendering of the set design for the 2004 production of "Titus Andronicus," performed at the Octagon Theatre at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2004, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

The Twelfth Night subseries contains perspective drawings, plans, paint elevations, and measured drawings of the set for the 2006 production of "Twelfth Night" performed at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival at the Octagon Theatre. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2005-2006, and are arranged chronologically by date on the design, and alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Te Ata subseries contains color renderings, paint elevations, and measured drawings of the production set designs, as well as a souvenir program, promotional press packet, and poster for the 2006 production of "Te Ata." This was the premiere production and was performed in the Te Ata Memorial Auditorium at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2006, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

The Drawer Boy subseries contains a color rendering, paint elevation, preliminary sketches and plans, and measured drawings for the set of the 2008 production of "The Drawer Boy," performed at the Studio Arena Theatre. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2008, and are arranged alphabetically by Cothran's design titles.

The Te Ata subseries contains a color rendering, paint elevations, a preliminary sketch and plan, and measured drawings for the set of the 2012 production of "Te Ata," performed at the Berg Theatre at Oklahoma City University and the Rasmussen Theatre at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2011-2012, and are arranged chronologically by date on the design, and alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Much Ado About Nothing subseries contains color renderings, preliminary plans and sketches, and measured drawings of the set for the 2012 production of "Much Ado About Nothing" performed at the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. The production was set in the 19th century American west. Materials in this subseries are dated from 2012, and are arranged chronologically by date on the design, and alphabetically by Cothran's design titles within the same dates.

The Vanderbilt University Theatre Productions subseries contains silk screen prints on showcards for various shows performed at Vanderbilt University between 1949 and 1953. Materials are arranged alphabetically by title of the production.

The University of Victoria Productions subseries contains silk screen poster prints on paper for shows performed at the University of Victoria between 1968 and 1972. Materials are arranged alphabetically by title of the production.

The Victoria Fair Summer Repertory subseries contains silk screen poster prints on paper for shows performed during the Victoria Fair between 1969 and 1972. Materials are arranged alphabetically by title of the production.

The University of Tennessee Productions subseries contains silk screen poster prints; original, hand-painted gouache on paper or board master layouts for posters; and blank poster templates for shows performed at the University of Tennessee between 1972 and 1995. Materials are arranged chronologically, and alphabetically by title of the production within the same dates.

The Rejected and Never Printed Designs subseries contains original master layouts for production posters, hand-painted gouache on paper and board. These posters were never printed, either because the show was cancelled or the design was rejected. Materials are dated circa 1960s-circa 1990s, and are arranged alphabetically by title of the production.