Representative Reference Resources for Theater

When searching for information concerning theater, it is best to start by understanding the basic terms and concepts in the field. Sources such as encyclopedias, dictionaries and handbooks are great sources for this type of information.

 

The ABC of Stage Lighting                                                                             R 792.025 R355a 1992

This reference book defines the numerous terms associated with stage lighting and the theater.

 

The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre                                Online

Covers all aspects of theatre, providing definitions, descriptions, and biographies.

 

The Crown Guide to the World’s Great Plays                                       R 809.2 S557c 1984

The scope of this source covers plays spanning from ancient Greece to the 1980s. Plays are organized by author, though it also contains an index.

 

Drama Criticism                                                                                                R 809.2 D7632

Contains criticism on the “most significant and widely studied dramatic works.” Entries are organized by author, with each volume containing a cumulative index for the entire series.

 

Encyclopedia Britannica                                                                                 Online

An online version of the popular print encyclopedia, it is a great source for basic information in multiple subject areas.

 

The Encyclopedia of Musical Theatre                                                      R 782.14 G211e 1994

Covers American and European theatre, with topics ranging from plays, directors, actors, and other important people and concepts for the subject.

 

The Oxford Encyclopedia of Theatre and Performance                   R 792.03 098e 2003

This source contains up to date information on theaters and performances both around the world and throughout time. Also contains a list of resources for further reading in this topic area.

 

The Oxford Companion to the American Musical                             R 782.14 H673o 2008

Entries on TV, movie, and stage musicals, along with famous actors, directors and other important people.

 

The Oxford Companion to Theatre                                                          R 792.03 098 1983

Laid out like a dictionary, this book defines both people and terms related to theater. It also contains some longer articles, such as for England, and a number of photographs.

 

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Finding Books and Other Items in the Library

To find books and other resources on theater in our collection, it is best to start by going to the ALEX online catalog and searching by subject.  You can refine your search results by viewing the Related Subjects and associated subheadings.  If a subject search is not successful, searching by keyword broadens your search and retrieves more information.

 

Browse by call number:

·         791  Public performances

·         792  Stage presentations

·         812  Drama

 

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Resources for Finding Articles on Theater

For the latest information from authoritative sources, use scholarly journals.  Some online library databases like Academic Search Complete are examples of general databases that contain information from multiple disciplines. Other databases are more specific in nature, containing information concerning a specific discipline.

 

Humanities International Complete

Contains full text from over 890 journals, some of which are unique to this database, along with citations from over 2,100 journals. Covers all of the humanities, including film.

 

JSTOR

This is a historical database with the most recent articles from 3-5 years ago. Use the browse feature to navigate to a list of journals for a specific subject area. Or you can use the keyword or other advanced search options. All articles are full text.

 

Literature Resource Center

A collection of literature resources provided by Gale, it contains information on plays and playwrights. It includes access to MLA International Bibliography.

 

OMNIFILE/MEGA

OmniFile provides citations, abstracts, and full text of scholarly journals and popular magazines.  Choose the Social Science subject area for articles in communication studies and related fields.

 

Project Muse

Affiliated with JSTOR, this database offers citation and some full-text access to journals dealing with the humanities and social sciences.

 

 

Journal Finder

If you are having trouble finding the full text of a journal, Journal Finder can help point you towards the right database. 

 

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Web Resources in Theater

There is a great variety of web sites that deal with theater. Following are a few websites that could be useful to your research. For additional web resources in this area, check out the library's delicious page of websites.

 

Bridgewater College’s Department of Communication Studies

This site is the home page for the Communication Studies Department at Bridgewater College.

 

Art and Culture

Provides information on writers and performers, along with historical information on the theater and a list of other links and resources to explore.

 

The Internet Broadway Database

This site is a searchable database of information on all the shows performed on Broadway.

 

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

Contains information the holdings and collections available at the library, along with some digitized images, and links to Internet resources on the theater and the other performing arts.

 

The WWW Virtual Library – Theatre and Drama

This site contains a number of links organized into categories and annotated by the site’s authors. It includes information from international sites and multi-cultural traditions.