Theatre: A Research Guide

Whether you are researching historical information about playwrights, theories, traditions, or stage management and stage makeup this research guide lists many useful resource materials. Subject headings listed at the end of this guide can be searched in the library catalog locating even more materials on this topic. The materials below will help beginning researchers as well as those looking for more comprehensive coverage. The terms and phrases listed in the subject headings below can be used to search for more materials in the library's catalog and research databases. If you need further assistance, please ask a librarian.

The Cambridge Guide to Theatre edited by Martin Banham. New York : Cambridge University Press, 1988. ISBN: 0521434378.
Covers all major playwrights, works, traditions, theories, companies, venues and events; details the origins of popular theater tradition.

Contemporary Dramatists, 6th ed. Detroit : St. James Press, 1998. ISBN: 0912289627.
Entries for each dramatist in this work include biographical details, a critical essay, a works list, etc. Some also include a comment by the person listed. Entries are indexed by nationalities and the titles of plays.

History of the Theatre, 9th ed. edited by Oscar G. Brockett and Franklin J. Hildy. Boston : Allyn & Bacon, 2003. ISBN: 0205358780.
This general history of the theater provides overviews of aspects of European and American theater, as well as the theater of Asia, Africa , etc.

McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of World Drama: An International Reference Work, 2nd ed. edited by Stanley Hochman. 5 vols. New York : McGraw-Hill, 1984. ISBN: 0070791694.
This illustrated reference includes biographies of dramatists, some summaries, and biographical and critical references. Volume 5 is a general index, and articles on theater companies provide additional information.

The Oxford Companion to American Theatre edited by Gerald Bordman. New York : Oxford University Press, 1992. ISBN: 0195072464.
The emphasis in this reference is on Broadway theater. Entries on plays include information, such as the producer, the length of the play's run, the original date of production, etc.

The Oxford Companion to the Theatre, 4th ed. edited by Phyllis Hartnoll. New York : Oxford University Press, 1983. ISBN: 0192115464.
Includes topics pertaining to both classical and contemporary theater. Included are entries on actresses, directors, techniques, and acting companies.

Ottemiller's Index to Plays in Collections: An Author and Title Index to Plays Appearing in Collections Published Between 1900 and 1985, 7th ed., rev. and enl. edited by John H. Ottemiller, Billie M. Connor, and Helene G. Mochedlover. Metuchen , NJ : Scarecrow Press, 1988. ISBN: 0810820811.
This resource offers an author index to 6,548 titles of plays located in collections that were published mostly in the United States or England . Plays are indexed by title.

Play Index. New York : H. W. Wilson, 1949/1952– .
Items in this work are indexed by author, title, and subject. Entries are of English-language plays and translations and include brief plot summaries.

Stage Makeup, 9th ed. by Richard Corson and James Glavan. Boston : Allyn & Bacon, 2001. ISBN: 0136061532.
A variety of aspects concerning stage makeup are present in this work. Sections include: “Facial Anatomy,” “Hair and Wigs,” “Prosthetic Makeup,” and “Relating the Makeup to the Character,” etc.

American Drama Criticism: Interpretations, 1890–1977, 2nd ed. compiled by Floyd Eugene Eddleman. Hamden, CT : Shoe String Press, 1979. ISBN: 0208017135.
Contains references to interpretations of American plays found in books, monographs, and periodicals. It includes mostly works of United States dramatists with a few exceptions. Musical plays are also examined.

Critical Survey of Drama, 2nd rev. ed. edited by Frank N. Magill. 8 vols. Pasadena , CA : Salem Press, 2003. ISBN: 1587651025.
Contains biographical information about the authors and their works, including significant achievements. Critical essays on drama and its developments over the years are located in the last volume of this set.

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Internet Broadway Database
www.ibdb.com
IBDB provides a comprehensive database of shows produced on Broadway, including all “title page” information about each production. IBDB also offers historical information about theaters and various statistics and fun facts related to Broadway.

Performing Arts in America 1875–1923
http://digital.nypl.org/lpa/nypl/lpa_home4.html
A database of 16,000 archival materials from the New York Public library. Includes newspaper clippings, composite photographs, music sheet samples featuring popular music, show tunes, jazz and dance music; photographs of theater, dance, and popular performance; and publicity posters and lobby cards.

Theatermania.com
www.theatermania.com
Lists productions of major cities including information on theaters, ticket price ranges, and show types.