Theater: Basic Guide to Research 1.
Encyclopedias and Handbooks
The encyclopedia of world theater, with 420 illustrations and an index of play titles. 1977. (REF. PN 2035 E52 1977). “Brief entries for actors and actresses, playwrights, directors, designers, types of drama, theatrical institutions, awards, McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of world drama. Hochman. 2d ed., 5 volumes. 1984. (REF. PN 1625 M3). "Many entries for playwrights and extensive articles on national and ethnic theater traditions and on theater in individual countries or areas. There are hundreds of goodquality illustrations." Oxford companion to the theatre. Hartnoll. 4th ed. 1983. (REF. PN 2035 H3 1983). "Offers definitions or explanations of theater terms, biographical sketches of theater personalities, articles on specific theater companies and theater buildings, and historical sketches of theater in individual countries and cities. International in scope, with some emphasis on British and American theater." Oxford encyclopedia of theatre & performance. 2 vols. (REF. PN2035 .O94 2003). Overall, the great strength of this work is its global nature, touching on all kinds of performance, including ritual, public executions, dance, sport, sex shows, the new media, and cyber-theater. Routledge companion to theatre and performance. 2006. (PN 1581 .A45 2006). Informative, engaging introduction to important people, events, concepts and practices that have defined the complementary fields of theatre and performance studies. Broadway : its history, people, and places: an encyclopedia. 2d. ed. (REF. F128.65.T5 B56 2004). "This A to Z resource covers Broadway's producers, writers, composers, lyricists, set designers, theaters, performers, and landmarks, providing a comprehensive history of the Great White Way. With both current and vintage black-and-white photographs of people and places, it is an ideal resource for students of theater history and Broadway buffs alike."--BOOK JACKET.
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Continuum companion to twentieth century theatre. 2002. (REF. PN2035 .C65 2002). A particular highlight is the collection of articles throughout written by practicing theater professionals.
Crowell's handbook of classical drama. Hathorn. 1967. (REF. PA 3024 H35). Cambridge guide to American theatre. Wilmeth and Miller. 1996. (PN2221 C36 1996). Cambridge History of American Theatre. Wilmeth and Bigsby. 1998. (REF. PN 2221 C37 1998). Cambridge guide to Asian theatre. Brandon. 1993. (REF. PN2860 .C35 1993). Cambridge guide to theatre. Martin Banham (REF. PN2035 .C27 1996). Oxford companion to American theatre. Bordman. 3rd ed. 2004. (REF. PN2220 .B6 2004). Companion to post-war British theatre. Barnes. 1986. (REF. PN2595 B28 1986).
2.
Dictionaries of Terms
International dictionary of theatre language. Trapido. 1985. (REF. PN 2035 I5 1985). Drama A to Z; a handbook. Vaughn. 1978. (REF. PN 1625 V3). "Offers 'an alphabetical listing of articles defining and discussing approximately 500 words and phrases commonly found in writings on the drama, from Aristotle to the present". International dictionary of theatre. Hawkins-Dady. c1992. Plays and playwrights. (REF. PN2035 .I58x 1992). NTC's dictionary of theatre and drama terms. Mobley. c1992. (PN2035 M63 1992). Key concepts in drama and performance. (PN1579 .P53 2005). Drama dictionary. Hodgson. c1988. (REF. PN1625 H62x 1988b). Facts on File dictionary of the theatre. Packard, Pickering, and Savidge. c1988. (REF. PN2035 F27 1988). Dictionary of the Theatre: Terms, Concepts, and Analysis. Pavis. 1998. (REF. PN 2035 P2913 1998).
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3.
Costumes, Staging, etc.
The encyclopedia of world costume. Yarwood. 1978. (REF. GT 507 Y37). "Articles are presented in a dictionary arrangement, with closely related topics considered together in a single, longer article. Discusses history and development of individual garments, fabrics, accessories, etc. Numerous black-and-white drawings in proximity to the text." The dictionary of costume. Wilcox. 1969. (REF. GT 507 W5). "Attempts to describe all facets of costume and fashion, from names of garments, fabrics, and designs, to fashion fads and personal names associated with specific articles of clothing or styles. Especially useful are the line drawings accompanying many of the definitions." Costume language: a dictionary of dress terms. (REF. GT507 .D38x 1994). Theatrical designers: an international biographical dictionary. Mikotowicz. 1992. (REF. PN2096 A1 M54 1992). Theatre backstage from A to Z. Lounsbury and Boulanger. 4th ed. (REF. PN2091 M3 L68 1999). Theatre lighting from A to Z. Boulanger and Lounsbury. 1992. (REF. PN2091 E4 B59 1992).
4. Histories A history of the theatre. Freedley & Reeves. 3rd ed. 1968. (PN 2101 F7 1968). "A well-illustrated, well-documented survey of all aspects of the theatre, from the ancient Egyptian period to the present day." The Revels history of drama in English. 8 vols. 1975-83. (PR 625 R44). "Each volume has sections on the social and literary context; theaters and actors; and playwrights and plays; plus detailed chronological table of plays, theatrical events and historical events. Extensive chapter bibliographies with commentary." History of World Theater. Berthold. 1972, 1991. (PN 2104 B413 1991). "Chapters are chronologically arranged, from the 'The primitive theatre' to 'From naturalism to the present.' Useful background of social and anthropological influences. European emphasis." A history of theatrical art in ancient and modern times. Mantzius. 1937. 6 volumes. (REF. PN 2104 M3x).
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Cambridge history of the American theatre. 3 volumes. Wilmeth and Bigsley. (REF. PN2221 .C37 1998). Designed to be an accessible, challenging narrative. All volumes include an extensive overview and timeline, followed by chapters on specific aspects of theatre. Fairly extensive, descriptive bibliographies.
5. Annuals Theatre world (N.Y, N. Y). Library has: 1945/46--1948/49 (PN 2277 N5 A17). 1949/50 (PN 2596 L6 T54). 1955/56 – 1964/65 (PN 2277 N5 A17). 1972/73 – 1979/80 (PN 2277 N5 A17). 1980/81 – 1989/90 (PN 2277 N5 A17). "Annual survey of the American theater, with many illustrations. Emphasis is on Broadway productions, but attention is given to off-Broadway, regional theater, and touring companies. Lists casts, dates of opening and closing, etc., but given no critical comment. Includes biographical sketches of outstanding players, producers, directors, designers, etc. Obituaries."
B. To find scholarly articles, you should use these indexes and bibliographies. 1.
Periodical Indexes
Academic search complete (Online) (EBSCOHost online resource). Historical abstracts (Online) (REF. D299 .H5 and online). Academic OneFile (Online) ArticleFirst (Online resource). Humanities index, 1974-. (Earlier titles Social sciences and humanities index, 1965-1974 and International index, 1907-1965). (REF. AI3. R49). Abstracts of English studies. 1958-. (REF. Z 2015 A2). Annual bibliography of English language and literature. MHRA (Modern Humanities Research Assn.) 1920-. (REF. Z2011 M69) and Annual bibliography of English language and literature (Online) Arts and humanities citation index, 1976-. (REF. AI 3 A63).. Also included in online source: Web of science (Online). Art index. 1929--. (Crouch REF. Z5937 A78).
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Music index. 1949--. (Crouch REF. ML145 M916). Poole's index to periodical literature. 1802-1907. (REF. AI3 P7). Included in online database. C19, the nineteenth century index (Online) International Index to the Performing Arts. (Online Resource). IIPA draws its current content from more than 130 international periodicals and also indexes articles and obituaries appearing in the New York Times and the Washington Post. Includes retrospective citations from 46 periodicals, dating back to 1864. Most records contain an abstract.
2.
General Bibliographies
MLA international bibliography of books and articles, 1921-. (REF. Index Table 2) and online Essay and general literature index, 1900-. (REF. A13 .E752) and online. L'AnnĂŠe philologique: bibliographie critique et analytique. 1977--. (REF. Z 7016 A55x) and AnnĂŠe philologique (Online)
3.
Specialized Bibliographies
English theatrical literature: 1559-1900: a bibliography. Lowe, Arnott. The Society for Theatre Research. 1970. (REF. Z 2014 D7 A74 1970). An annotated listing of theatrical literature as distinguished from dramatic literature. Caroline drama: a bibliographic history of criticism. Fordyce. 1992. (Z 2014 D7 F67 1992). Tudor and Stuart drama. 2nd ed. Ribner. 1978. p.6-13: "Dramatic companies, theatres, conditions of performance." (Z 2014 D7 R5 1978). Bibliography of medieval drama. Stratman. 2nd ed. 1972. (REF. Z 5782 A2 S8 1972). A complete guide to online theatre and dance resources. (REF. PN2052 .C38 2001).
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