The H. David Kaplan Performing Arts Collection contains correspondence, publicity photographs, photographs taken by Kaplan, programs, various arts publications, autographs, and miscellaneous items such as ticket stubs and clippings. There are more than 1,000 color 35mm slides taken by Kaplan of opera performances and rehearsals by the Houston Grand Opera. Additional oversized collages, posters, showcards, and artwork, along with several framed items, are housed separately. A large part of the collection is signed, and many items are personally inscribed to H. David Kaplan. The materials are dated from approximately 1950 to 1996, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1975 to 1985.

The collection has been retained in the order in which it was received from Mr. Kaplan with some modifications; it has been divided into several series. The series are arranged in the different areas of the arts in which Mr. Kaplan was involved or interested, along with an oversized/framed series which includes every aspect of the arts. Each series may be subdivided into 1-5 subsections including: correspondence, photographs, programs/publications, autographs, and miscellaneous. For ease of storage, the oversized and framed portions of this collection have been placed together in a series and shelved separately.

Correspondence has been separated and is organized alphabetically by the last name of the correspondent. Copies of H. David Kaplan's letters to individual correspondents are filed with their replies. In publicity photographs, the production, if known, has been noted on the reverse side in pencil.

Bound volumes of Performing Arts Magazine, Houston Arts Magazine, Tonight, and Houston on Stage donated by Mr. Kaplan have been incorporated into the library's holdings.   These may be found by searching the UH Libraries' catalog by journal title or by author, using the phrase "H. David Kaplan Performing Arts Collection."