 denotes recommended resource
|
|
|
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias |
|
|
For background information and definitions refer to the following library reference works and online reference collections:
Dictionary of the Theatre, Terms, Concepts, Analysis, University of Toronto Press, 1998.
Main Level, Reference: R 792.03 P288D
A Historical Dictionary of German Theatre, Scarecrow Press, 2006.
Main Level, Reference: R 792.0943 G765H
A Historical Dictionary of Japanese Traditional Theatre, Scarecrow Press, 2006.
Main Level, Reference: R 792.0952 L536H
McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of World Drama, McGraw-Hill, 1984.
Main Level, Reference: R 809.2 M178M [5 vols]
SSP Online Glossary of Theatre Terms [Peter Lathan, School Show Page]
Theatrecrafts.com Glossary of Technical Theatre Terms [Jon Primrose, University of Exeter Drama Department]
Search over 1500 theatre terms by word, browse A-Z list, or use the category search and choose a specific technical area (lighting, sound, costume, stage design, etc.).
World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theater: Europe, Routledge, 2001.
Main Level, Reference: R 792.09 W893W
The American Musical Theatre Song Encyclopedia, Greenwood, 1995.
Main Level, Reference: R 782.14 H622A
The British Musical Theatre, Oxford University Press, 1986.
Main Level, Reference: R 782.810941 G159B [2 vols]
A detailed history of British light musical theatre following the development of the musical by year from 1865 – 1984. Kurt Ganzl limits his exhaustive chronicle to new and original works with a text and score written uniquely for the show. Each year has a reference section listing productions and cast details for that year.
The Encyc. of the Musical Theatre, Schirmer Books, 1994.
Main Level, Reference: R 782.14 G159E [2 vols]
Sage eReference
Collection of encyclopedias dealing with social issues. Many theatre topics are covered in this large social science collection, however no titles deal specifically with the theatre.
A Dictionary of Literary Symbols [CREDO Reference], Cambridge University Press, 2003.
The first dictionary of symbols to be based on literature, rather than "universal" psychological archetypes, myths, or esoterica. Concentrates on English literature, but its entries range widely from the Bible and classical authors to the twentieth century, taking in American and European literatures.
Also available Main Level, Reference: R 809.915 F373D [2000]
|
|
 |
500 Plays: Plot Outlines and Production Notes, Drama Book Publishers, 1988.
Main Level, Reference: R 809.2 D569F
American Theatre: A Chronicle of Comedy and Drama, 1914-1930, Oxford University Press, 1995.
Main Level, Reference: R 792.0973 B644A
Discusses non-musical theatre on Broadway year by year, offering plot summaries, production details, names of leading actors and actresses and the roles they played, and quotes from drama critics.
Cambridge Guide to American Theatre, Cambridge University Press, 1993.
Main Level, Reference: R 792.0973 C144C
The Cambridge Guide to Asian Theatre, Cambridge University Press, 1993.
Main Level, Reference: R 792.095 C144C
Cambridge Guide to the Theatre [CREDO Reference], Cambridge University Press, 2000.
Also available Main Level, Reference: R 792.0321 C144C
A Companion to the Medieval Theatre, Greenwood Press, 1989.
Main Level, Reference: R 792.0902 C738C
Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre [Oxford Reference Online], Oxford University Press, 2002.
Also available Main Level, Reference: R 792.03 Ox2O [1983]
Oxford Companion to American Theatre [Oxford Reference Onliine], Oxford University Press, 2004.
Also available Main Level, Reference: R 792.0973 B644O
The Oxford Companion to English Literature [Oxford Reference Online] Oxford Univ. Press, 2007.
Also available Main Level Reference: R 820.9 Ox2O
Summer Theatre Directory, Theatre Directories, Inc., 2007.
Main Level, Reference: R 792.025 Su64S
A national guide to summer employment, auditions information, opportunities at summer theatres, and training programs. Includes theme parks, renaissance fairs, outdoor drama, cruise lines, as well as hiring and casting procedures for apprenticeships, conservatory programs, and internships.
Literature Resource Center [Thomson Gale] 
Search here for your playwright or use advanced search criteria to compile a list of authors by type. Contains biographical information from print sources at PC including Contemporary Authors, Dictionary of Literary Biography, American Writers, British Writers and thirteen Scribner print sources.
Contemporary American Dramatists, St. James Press, 1994.
Main Level, Reference: R 812.5409 C767C
Contemporary Black American Playwrights
and their Plays: a Biographical Directory and Dramatic Index, Greenwood Press, 1988.
Main Level, Reference: R 812.5409 P442C
Contemporary Dramatists, St. James Press, 1973, 1988, 1999.
Main Level, Reference: R 822.91409 V786C
Contemporary Women Dramatists, St. James Press, 1994.
Main Level, Reference: R 822.91409 C767C
Dictionary of Writers and Their Works [Oxford Reference Online], Oxford University Press, 2003.
British literature from the fifteenth-century to the present including major American and Commonwealth writers.
Encyclopedia of World Biography, Gale, 1998.
Main Level, Reference: R 920.02 En19E [17 vols]
Alphabetically arranged long essays on reputable personalities who have made great contributions to human culture and society.
European Writers, Scribner, 1983-1991.
Main Level, Reference: R 809.894 Eu74E [14 vols]
Volumes arranged chronologically from Medieval to 20th Century.
The last volume is an index to the set.
European Writers-Selected Authors, Scribner, 1992.
Main Level, Reference: R 809.894 Eu74E2 [3 vols]
The Female Dramatist: Profiles of Women Playwrights from the Middle Ages to Contemporary Times, Facts On File, 1998.
Main Level, Reference: R 809.2082 P258F
Multicultural Writers Since 1945: an A-Z Guide, Greenwood Press, 2004.
Main Level, Reference: R 809.045 M919M
not necessarily playwrights
Theatrical Designers: An International Biographical Dictionary, Greenwood Press, 1992.
Main Level, Reference: R 792.02503 T34T
Women Playwrights of Diversity:
a Bio-bibliographical Sourcebook, Greenwood Press, 1997.
Main Level, Reference: R 812.5409 P442W
ThomCat
Search authors individually as subject or click subject headings below to browse examples of author biographies held by Thomason Library:
Scholarly journals (i.e. Theatre Journal and New England Theatre Journal) include production reviews, so it can be useful to search the journal indexes and databases as well.
American Drama Criticism: Interpretations, 1890-1977, Shoe String Press, 1979.
Main Level, Reference: R 016.812009 Am35A
A Guide to Critical Reviews, Scarecrow Press, 1966, 1973, 1984.
Main Level, Reference: R 016.8092 Sa32G [4 vols, supplements]
An index to reviews of plays and musicals produced in New York (reviews published in U.S. and Canadian periodicals). In four volumes: American Drama, 1909-1982, The Musical, 1909-1989, Foreign Drama, 1909-1977, and Screenplays.
Dramatic Criticism Index: A Bibliography of Commentaries on Playwrights from Ibsen to the Avant-Garde, Gale Research, 1972.
Main Level, Reference: R 016.809204 B745D
This selective index to commentaries on modern playwrights and their plays covers American and foreign playwrights, the majority from the 20th century, however some 19th century playwrights were included if their plays were still being performed by publication time (1972). Indexed alphabetically by playwright with additional indexes by title and critic. List of sources indexed for this publication included in back.
New York Times Archive [ProQuest Historical Newspapers]
An online archive of full-text
pdfs of NYT articles and ads from 1851-2004 (latest 3 yrs. not available). Type in name of production (and playwright or director to cut down on results) and limit by date. Results display with oldest first unless changed in right side pull down box.
LexisNexis Academic [LexisNexis]
A full-text news and information service that provides access to major newspapers, magazines, transcripts, business and legal information and much more. For play reviews choose Search News tab. Under Select Sources, choose "book, movie, music, play and video reviews". In top box enter search terms or name of play.
AisleSay
Internet Magazine of Stage Reviews and Opinions
Curtain Up
The Internet Theater Magazine of Reviews, Features, Annotated Listings.
American Costume, 1915-1970: A Source Book for the Stage Costumer, Indiana University Press, 1982.
Main Level, Reference: R 792.026 Od5A
The Costumer's Manifesto [Tara Maginnis, PhD]
Costume history, stage costumes, accessories, costume and textile museums worldwide, shop equipment, vintage clothing, and more.
Dress and Fashion: Design and Manufacture [New York Public Library Digital Gallery]
Several rare and unusual published resources of interest to students of western dress and fashion from the 19th to the early 20th-century. Includes historical surveys as well as manufacturers' booklets and sample swatch catalogs.
Several rare and unusual published resources of interest to students of western dress and fashion from the 19th to the early 20th-century. Includes historical surveys as well as manufacturers' booklets and sample swatch catalogs. 6/08
Fashion, Costume, and Culture: Clothing, Headwear, Body Decorations and Footware Throught the Ages [Gale Virtual Reference Library], Thomson/Gale, 2004.
Provides a broad overview of costume traditions of diverse cultures from prehistoric times to the present day. Examines more than 430 items of human decoration and adornment, ranging from togas to turbans, necklaces to tennis shoes. Explores how and why items were created, the people who made them, and their uses.
History of Costume [C. Otis Sweezey, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville]
Printed from 1861 to 1880 in Munich as individual plates in a German magazine titled "Münchener Bilderbogen" by the publishing firm of Braun and Schneider, this is an excellent source for students who are studying the history of fashion and costume design. One must be aware though, that these illustrations have a Victorian perspective to their designs.
Encyclopedia of Stage Lighting, McFarland & Company, 2003.
Main Level, Reference: R792.025 B768E
Defines terms, discusses equipment and techniques, and provides information on a wide range of topics associated with stage lighting.
Stage Specs: A Guide to Legit Theatres, League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc., 1990.
Main Level, Reference: R 792.025 G729S
The What, Where, When of Theater Props: An Illustrated Chronology from Arrowheads to Video Games, Betterway Books, 1992.
Main Level, Reference: R 792.025 J236W
Humanities: Documenting Sources [Research and Documentation Online], Bedford/St. Martins, 2003.
MLA handbook for writers of research papers, Modern Language Association, 2003.
Main Level, Reference: Ready Reference Shelf or R 808.02 M72M
Writing Center, Presbyterian College
Citation styles, writing guides, and scheduling an appoingment with a tutor.
| Locating Books |
|
|
|
ThomCat
790 Recreational & performing arts
791 Public performances
792 Stage presentations
Use the online catalog to locate books in Thomason Library. You can search by author, title, word, or subject.
- Search for a person, as AUTHOR or SUBJECT, with last name, first name:
- SUBJECT searching requires use of Library of Congress subject headings. The terms below are examples of subject headings related to theatre topics:
- Materials relevant to the study of the theatre may also be found by specifying the country of origin, era, literary genre, or the material type in which you are interested:
Subject searching is an effective and precise method of searching the catalog, however, KEYWORD searching has benefits, also.
- If you are unsure of the exact title or the correct subject heading to use, try a KEYWORD search using two or three of the most significant words from the title or subject you are trying to find. Place phrases in "quotation marks."
- Connect words with AND, OR, NOT to focus your search.
- Try truncation at the end of a word stem to retrieve singular, plural, and other variations of the word. Use an asterisk (*) to truncate from 1 to 5 characters. Use a double asterisk (**) to include word endings with an unlimited number of characters.
KEYWORD Searching Tips |
· Use AND between words to narrow your search:
Caryl Churchill AND violence
· Use OR between words to expand your search and
group words with parentheses:
(Amiri Baraka OR LeRoi Jones) NOT poetry
· Add * to the root of a word to truncate or expand
a term:
theat* = theater, theatre, theaters, theatrical
Try WORD searching with ThomCat, other library catalogs & library databases |
PASCALCAT - Now available! If you need books in addition to those found at Thomason Library, try your search here for books in other academic libraries in SC. Using PASCAL Delivers, you can locate and order books online for delivery within 3-4 working days. This service for current PC students, faculty, and staff is a project of PASCAL- Partnership Among SC Academic Libraries. Borrowers will be notified by e-mail when requested items arrive at Thomason Library.
Click here for searching and ordering tips.
WorldCat – A catalog of books and materials at libraries worldwide. Try searching here to find ALL books available on a topic. Materials available at Thomason Library are highlighted and others can be borrowed through ILL or searched in PASCALCAT.
Interlibrary Loan - ILL is available to PC students, faculty and staff in order to borrow resources from other libraries. Check link for instructions.
Inter-Play
Online index to plays in collections, anthologies and periodicals from the late 19th century on. A good site to check for recent plays because it is updated quarterly. Includes foreign-language sources and is searchable by author, title or combined author/title. Note : The citation provided gives bibliographic information and a call number--this is not a UB Libraries call number; it is a call number at Portland State University Library where the database was developed. Note that this is not a large database at present; therefore, it is best to check the print indexes listed below if you do not find the play you are looking for here.
Ottemiller's Index to Plays in Collections: An Author and Title Index to Plays Appearing in Collections Published between 1900 and 1985, Scarecrow Press, 1988.
Main Level, Reference: R 016.80882 Ot8O
Arranged alphabetically by author and then by title. Each entry includes title, date, variant titles, and an abbreviation which refers to the collections index in the back of the book which in turn provides full bibliographic information.
Play Index, H. W. Wilson Co., 1949-2002.
Main Level, Reference: R 016.80882 P698P [10 vols]
Current, inclusive index to plays of various types including plays for children and adults, plays in collections and single plays, one-act plays, and full length plays.
Part I of each volume has A-Z listing of authors, play titles, and subjects; Part II is a list of play collections indexed; Part III has cast analysis (locate plays by number of players and gender needed); and Part IV is a directory of play publishers for plays indexed in each volume.
The Drama Scholars’ Index to Plays and Filmscripts, Scarecrow Press, 1980.
Main Level, Reference: R 016.80882 Sa47D v.2
A guide to plays and filmscripts in selected anthologies, series and periodicals.
Arranged alphabetically by author and then by title. Each entry includes title, date, variant titles, and an abbreviation which refers to the collections index in the back of the book which in turn provides full bibliographic information.
Actors Guide to Scenes, Drama Book Specialists, 1973.
Main Level, Reference: R 822.016 G923A
The Character Catalogue: Who's Who In One Hundred Fifty Modern Plays, Drama Book Publishers, 1984.
Main Level, Reference: R 809.204 P442C
Drury's Guide to Best Plays, Scarecrow Press, 1987.
Main Level, Reference: R 016.80882 D845D
|
| Locating Articles & Criticism: |
|
|
| Reference Sources & Criticism |
|
back to top |
Literature Resource Center
[Thomson Gale]
Biographical, bibliographical and contextual information from the Contemporary Authors and Dictionary of Literary Biography databases, as well as full-text criticism from the Contemporary Literary Criticism Select database. Contains full-text journal articles from more than 250 literary journals, critical essays, author biographies, and definitions of literary terms from Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature.
Drama Criticism, Gale Research, 1991- .
Main Level, Reference: R 809.2 D79D [16 vols]
Critical Survey of Drama, Salem Press, 2003.
Main Level, Reference: R 822.009 C869C [8 vols]
Contemporary Literary Criticism, Gale Research, 1973-2005.
Main Level, Reference: R 809.04 C676C[194 vols]
The New York Times Archive[ProQuest Historical Newspapers]
Full-text & full-image of NYT articles with coverage from 1851 up to three years ago.
Twentieth Century Literary Criticism, Gale Resesarch, 1978-2005.
Main Level, Reference: R 809.04 T918T [154 vols]
Also available as TCLC Select in Literature Resource Center [Gale]
Academic Search Premier - Humanities[EBSCOhost]
Search this subset of full text peer-reviewed humanities journals indexed in Academic Search Premier.
MLA International Bibliography [EBSCOhost]
Indexes critical literary and language scholarship and provides access to journals and serials published worldwide, as well as books, essay collections, working papers, proceedings, dissertations, and bibliographies. Nearly 45,000 records are added annually.
http://hdl.handle.net/1880/44661 link to MLA Tutorial - basic search. Choose Shockwave Flash
JSTOR
Arts & Sciences Collections I, II, & III contain an archive of over 350 full-text journals which are searchable through JSTOR or accessible through Journal Finder, which guides the user to full-text articles available at Thomason Library. The collections include journals in economics, history, political science, sociology, and humanities. This archive covers the full run of journals from the first issue of volume one; however, the most current three to five year issues of the journals are not available as specified by the publishers in their agreements with JSTOR.
Project MUSE Basic Undergraduate Collection
Current and recent volumes of 112 core journals in the humanities and social sciences.
|
| Key Journals |
|
back to top |
Click on title to view availability online and in print in Journal Finder:
American Drama
Original studies of American dramatic literature from colonial to contemporary times, with greater emphasis given to the period of the twentieth century to the present.
American Theatre
Articles, commentary, review articles, theatre reviews on all aspects of national theatre.
Comparative Drama
A scholarly journal devoted to studies international in spirit and interdisciplinary in scope. Essay submissions are invited from scholars in all areas of drama.
Live Design
Provides designers, programmers, & technicians with tips & trends, news & reviews of the latest gear, reports from the field, & industry viewpoint & commentary.
Modern Drama
Features refereed articles that enhance our understanding of plays in both formal and historical terms, largely treating literature of the past two centuries from diverse geo-political contexts, as well as an extensive book review section. Published quarterly.
Performing Arts Journal
Offers extended coverage of the visual arts (such as video, installations, photography, and multimedia performance), in addition to reviews of new works in theatre, dance, film, and opera. Issues include artists' writings, essays, interviews and dialogues, historical documentation, performance texts and plays, reports on performance abroad, and book reviews.
Stage Directions
Inspiring production ideas, solutions to everyday theater dilemmas, as well as book, CD and play reviews.
TDR The Drama Review
Provides scholarship on performances and their social, economic, and political contexts. With an emphasis on the interdisciplinary, experimental, and avant-garde, the journal covers dance theater, performance art, popular entertainment, media, sports, and rituals in politics and everyday life.
Theatre History Studies
Critical, analytical, and descriptive articles on all aspects of theatre history since 1981.
Theatre Journal
Drawing contributions from noted practitioners and scholars, Theatre Journal features social and historical studies, production reviews, and theoretical inquiries that analyze dramatic texts and production.
Theatre Topics
Focuses on performance studies, dramaturgy, and theatre pedagogy with concise and timely articles on a broad array of practical, performance-oriented subjects, with special attention to topics of current interest to the profession.
Variety
The international entertainment weekly; feature articles, interviews and profiles, television and motion picture reviews and ratings, financing, legislation, box office reports and news of note on all aspects of the entertainment industry.
|
| Internet Resources: |
|
back to top |
| General Theatre Sources |
|
|
Artslynx International Theater Resources
A library of online theater resources. Scroll down to choose playwrights.
Internet Broadway Database
The official database for Broadway theatre information. IBDB provides records of productions from the beginnings of New York theatre until today. Details include pertinent people involved as well as interesting facts and production statistics
Internet Theatre Database
Justin’s Drama & Theater Links [Justin Cash, Head of Drama at Avila College, Melbourne, Australia]
LitLinks – Drama
Biography, criticism, and links on playwrights A-Z from Bedford/St. Martin’s.
WWW Virtual Library for Theatre & Drama
broadway.com
playbill.com
theatre.com
|
| Theatre Associations |
|
back to top |
Alpha Psi Omega
A national honorary theatre society for colleges and universities with established theatre programs with the purpose of producing plays.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [Bartleby.com], Oxford University Press, 1914.
Project Gutenberg
Producer of literary eBooks in the public domain.
Theatre History.com: Script Archive
Call
864-833-7080 |
E-mail
libref@presby.edu |
Stop by the
Reference Desk |
Teresa Inman 833-8313
Dan Lee 833-8437
|
tinman@presby.edu
dlee@presby.edu
|
Hours: 8.30 am - 10 pm for research questions & assistance. Personal appointments also available.
|
|
|
