Research Guides: Theatre: Recommended Resources

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Library Databases

Kanopy Video Streaming
Related to theatre, this database contains sections for the Criterion collection, performing arts, and a large number of televised plays and musicals.
International Bibliography of Theater & Dance with Full Text (EBSCO)
Articles, essays and book chapters mined from internationally selected publications in drama, dance, media, mime, mixed entertainment, storytelling, music-drama, and puppetry.
Alexander Street Video
You can browse this database's 'Theatre' subcollection for plays, scenes, and video resources on stage combat and theatre design.
Films On Demand
Contains video resources on dramatic techniques under their 'Drama and the Theater' section.
Project MUSE (Standard Collection)
This is an interdisciplinary collection of high quality, peer reviewed journals extensively in the humanities and social sciences. Particularly helpful for theater history.

Physical Resources

You can find physical copies of plays and scenes in your library within the call numbers PN1997-1997.85.

Online Resources

Great Performances
The website for PBS's Great Performances includes full length episodes of operas, ballets, symphonies, concerts, musicals, and plays. Current outstanding episodes up for free include the opera of Ann Patchett's Bel Canto, a documentary on Harold Prince, and 42nd Street.
American Variety Stage
The Library of Congress's American Variety Stage includes playscripts, motion pictures, playbills, and sound recordings from 1870-1920.

For interesting, insider-perspective on stage and backstage jobs, watch this wonderful series of mini-documentaries from the American Theatre Wing: Working in the Theatre.