Theatre Arts Resources

Subject Guides
Finding Articles
Finding Books
Finding Websites
Writing Resources

Theatrical Productions

Resource Guides
2007-2008 Theatrical Productions Classical Drama
2008-2009 Theatrical Productions  
Finding Articles

The following library databases can be used to find journal articles about topics in the Theater Arts discipline. Some of these databases will include biographical information, essays, critical and analytical articles, and some reference resources. Please read the description to determine the best database for your needs, or ask for help at the reference desk.

  • Humanities Full-Text
    Indexes articles under the subjects of archaeology, area studies, art, classical studies, communications, dance, film, folklore, gender studies, history, journalism, linguistics, literary & social criticism literature, music, performing arts, philosophy, religion and theology.
  • Humanities and Social Sciences Index Retrospective Collection
    Offers the ability to search a wide range of important journals in the humanities and social sciences as far back as 1907. This collection is a retrospective of the Humanities Full Text and Social Sciences Full Text databases.
  • International Bibliography of Theatre & Dance with Full-Text
    Contains all of the content available in International Bibliography of Theatre & Dance as well as full text for 100 titles, including Canadian Theatre Review, Dance Chronicle, Dance Teacher, Modern Drama, PAJ: A Journal of Performance and Art, Research in Dance Education, Research in Drama Education, Studies in Theatre and Performance, TDR: The Drama Review, Theater, and many more. Additional full text available includes more than 50 books & monographs.
To browse full-text journals click on the Journals and Newspapers link on the library's homepage and choose “Music, Dance, Drama & Film” under the “Browse e-journals by Subject” drop-down menu.

There are also several print indexes of articles available in the library’s collection.

  • Book Review Digest   --   Ref Z1219.C96
  • Humanities Index   --   Ref 050 S678b
  • MLA International Bibliography   --   Ref 016.4 M578
Finding Books

To start, browse through the reference collection on the first floor of the library. Most reference books in the field of Theatre Arts will be found in the PN’s. Reference books will include such volumes as, encyclopedia's, dictionary's, theatre history, guides, reviews, and more. The following reference books will get you started - one is available online.

  • The Cambridge Guide to Theatre -- available through Credo Reference
  • Contemporary Dramatists   --   Ref PR737.C57 1999
  • History of the Theatre   --   PN2101.B68 2003
  • McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of World Drama: An International Reference Work   --   Ref PN1625.M3 1984
  • The Oxford Companion to American Theatre   --   Ref PN2220.B6 1984
  • The Oxford Companion to the Theatre   --   Ref PN2035.C63 1992
  • Play Index   --   Ref Z5781.P53
  • Stage Makeup   --   PN2068.C65 1981

Search the library catalog by subject, author, or title. The following are examples of good subject terms to help you begin your research. The books listed under these subject headings will probably be located in the circulating collection on the second floor. Again most books related to the field of Theatre Arts will be located in the PN's.

Finding Websites
  • Artslynx International Arts Resources: Theatre Resources -- this website is an index to other websites on a vareity of theater topics including acting, costume, hisotry, props, and sets. Returning to the mian page will allow the user to visit similar pages for other disciplines within the Perfomring Arts.
  • Infomine -- Infomine is similar to the databases listed at the top of this resource; however it searches not only for journal articles, but books, and more importantly, websites.
  • Internet Broadway Database
  • Performing Arts in America 1875-1923 -- a database of 16,000 archival materials from the New York Public Library. Includes newspaper clippings, composite photographs, music sheet samples featuring popular music, show tunes, jazz and dance music; photographs of theater, dance, and popular performance and publicity posters and lobby cards.
  • Theater History on the Web
  • Theatermania.com
For Theatre Arts-related websites discovered since October 2007 please visit my Furl (social website bookmarking resource) site. This site also includes English, History, and General websites. Send me an email if you find a website you find interesting and might help your fellow students.

Need more help finding resources? Email me at kowens@flagler.edu or visit the Library's Reference Desk.
Last Updated: January 09, 2008