Theatre Studies

If you'd like to speak with a librarian in person, the Reference Desk is located on the east side of the atrium at Bobst. You can also contact a librarian by chat or text using Ask a Librarian.

Other useful theatre bibliographies include:

• Allen, Richard F. Teatro Hispanoamericano: Una Bibliografia Anotada
  Bobst Ref1 Z1609.D7 A44 1987
• Asian Theatre: A Study Guide and Annotated Bibliography
  Bobst Ref1 Z3008.D7 A84 
• Fordyce, Rachel. Children's Theatre and Creative Dramatics: An Annotated Bibliography of Critical Works.
  Bobst Ref1 Z5784.C5 F67 and Bobst Z5784.C5 F67 
• Grimes, Ronald L. Research in Ritual Studies: A Programmatic Essay and Bibliography.
  Bobst Z5118.R5 G75 1985 

Offsite books can be called back to Bobst when requested from the Library's catalog; they typically arrive within two days.

Play Annuals

• Best plays of ... 1894- .
  • Call Number: PN2266 .A2 B5
  • Description: For each season, digests and provides critical comments on select plays. Also has information about the theater in several US cities, with an extensive entry on Broadway and Off-Broadway productions in New York City. Lists the Pulitzer Prize winners and Drama Critics Circle Awards.

Resources About Playwrights

• Contemporary Dramatists. K.A. Berney, editor. 6th Ed. Chicago, IL: St. James Press, 1999.
  • Call Number: PR737.C57 6th Ed. 
  • Description: Provides information for over three hundred living dramatists who publish in English. Entries include a brief biography, list of publications and professional activities, and a critical essay about the dramatist and his or her work. No reprints or revivals are included.
• International Dictionary of Theatre. Edited by Mark Hawkins-Dady. Chicago: St. James Press, 1991.
  • Call Number: PN2000.I474 1991 vols. 1-3; Volume II: Playwrights
  • Description: Volume II includes information on 485 playwrights from all periods and nationalities, selected for inclusion by an academic advisory panel. Entries include a brief biographical sketch, list of works, a bibliography, and a critical overview with cross-references to Volume I [see below] where appropriate.
• Performing Arts Biography Master Index. 2nd ed. B. McNeil & M. C. Herbert, eds. Detroit, MI: Gale, 1982.
  • Call Number: PN1583.M37 1982
  • Description: Lists citations to biographical reference sources in the performing arts (e.g., biographical dictionaries, encyclopedias), including theater, film, television, dance, music, puppetry and magic.

Resources about Plays

• Critical Survey of Drama. Frank N. Magill, editor. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press.
• English Language Series, Revised Edition: PR623.C75 1994 v. 1-7
• Foreign Language Series: PN1625.C74 1986 v. 1-6

Description: Information about individual dramatists, dramatic works, and overview essays concerning trends in drama.

• International Dictionary of Theatre. Edited by Mark Hawkins-Dady. Chicago: St. James Press, 1991.
  • Call Number: PN2000.I474 1991 vols. 1-3: Volume I: Plays
  • Description: Volume I includes information on over 600 plays (concentrating on English-speaking world), selected for inclusion by an academic advisory panel. Entries include dramatist, date of first publication and production, translations into English and a bibliography relating to the piece. Also provides a critical essay with plot summary.
• Theatre World. 1944- .
  • Call Number: PN2277.N5 A17
  • Description: An illustrated yearbook, with production photographs, of the American theater, listing productions performed each season. Includes cast, production credits, dates of run, brief performer bios and obits, with a list of awards. Emphasizes New York City, but also includes information on other cities and traveling productions.

Reviews

• Guide to Critical Reviews, by James Salem. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1979 ; 1984.
  • Call Number: Z5782.S34 1984 parts 1-3 
  • Description: Provides critical reviews of Broadway, Off Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway production from 1909-1982.
  • Organization: Arranged alphabetically. Part 1: American Drama, 1984 - indexed by playwright; Part 2: The Musical, 1909-1974 - indexed by title; Part 3: Foreign Dr

Complete Reprints of Reviews

• Theatre Record. 1981 to date. Bi-weekly. Titled London Theatre Record from 1981 to 1990. Avail. OFFSITE
  • PN2596.L6L66 (1981 on microfiche in Microforms Center--MF5)
• New York Theatre Critics' Reviews. 1958 to 1996. Weekly. Titled National Theatre Critics' Reviews from 1995 to 1996.
  • PN1601.N4 (1940-1957 on microfilm in Microform Center, LL2--titled Critics' Theatre Reviews from 1940 to 1942.)