Dramaturgical Research Guide
Biographical Information on the Playwright & Commentary by the Playwright
Books
Critical biographies are often a good place to start your research. Use the Advanced Search feature of our Online Catalog and the I-Share Catalog to locate circulating books and reference books.
Search using the playwright's name.
- Example: o'casey sean as Subject
A search using the playwright's name as Author might turn up an autobiography, in addition to works by the playwright.
Recommended Reference Books
- International Directory of Theatre, Volume 2: Playwrights
- Biographical summary, list of works, bibliography of criticism, and a critical overview for various playwrights. Call number: REF PN 2035. I49 1992
- Contemporary Authors, New Revision Series
- Entry for an author includes personal information, addresses, career information, memberships, awards and honors, list of writings, article of biographical information and some criticism, and a bibliography. Call number: REF PN 453 .C62 1997
- Critical Survey of Drama
- Call number: REF PN 1625 .C68 2003
- Encyclopedia of World Biography
- Call number: REF CT 103 .E56 1997
- Great Lives from History: The Ancient World
- Call number: REF CT 113 .G745 2004
- Oxford Companion to the Theatre
- Call number: REF PN 2035 .O9 1983
- Oxford Encyclopedia of Theatre and Performance
- Call number: REF PN 2035 .O94 2003
- Reader's Encyclopedia of World Drama
- Call number: REF PN 1625 .G3 1969
Databases
- Lexis-Nexis
- Select in Step One "Arts and Sports News" and in Step Two "Entertainment News" to start a search for newspaper and magazine articles about an author rather than reviews.
- Illinois Newspapers
- Of particular use for local (Chicago area/Illinois) playwrights
Websites
The (Re)Making Project: Charles Mee
Sometimes useful information can be found on the Internet using a search engine such as Google. Be sure to evaluate any resulting website carefully. The webpage Evaluating Websites can be a helpful guide.
Historical, Cultural, and Social Background of the Play
Books
Using the Advanced Search feature of our Online Catalog and the I-Share Catalog, in a subject search, combine geographical location with one of these terms: culture, history, economic, politics, social.
- Example: ireland economic as Subject
- Example: greece social as Subject
Recommended Reference Books
- Worldmark Chronology of the Nations, Vol. 1-4
- Covers nearly 200 countries and includes a timeline and bibliography for each. Call number: REF G133 .W93 1999
- Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations, Vol. 1-5
- Discusses the history, economics and politics of over 200 countries. Call number: REF G63 .W67 1998
Databases
- JSTOR
- Full-text scholarly articles and reviews
- Project Muse
- Full-text scholarly articles and reviews
- Historical Abstracts
- Citation records and some links to full-text of articles on world history
- Academic Search Premier
- Citation records and some full-text of scholarly and general news articles
- America: History and Life
- Citation records and some links to full-text of articles on American history
Websites
As for many research topics, Google or another search engine may be helpful. The Evaluating Websites page can assist you in determining whether a search result is a reliable resource.
Criticism or Commentary by Other Artists or Critics
Books
Use the Advanced Search feature of our Online Catalog and the I-Share Catalog to locate circulating books and reference books. Search using the play's title or the playwright's name.
- Example: tempest as Subject
- Example: o'casey sean as Subject
Recommended Reference Books
- International Directory of Theatre, Volume 1: Plays.
- Interpretive summary of the play and a bibliography of books and articles of criticism. Call number: REF PN 2035. I49 1992
- Selected Theatre Criticism, Vol. 1: 1900-1919, Vol. 2: 1920-1930, Vol. 3: 1931-1950.
- Reviews of numerous New York Stage productions. Call number: REF PN 2277. N5 S44 1985 v.2
The following items include citation information for reviews.
- The New York Times Directory of the Theatre.
- Citations of all reviews in The New York Times from 1926-1973. The full articles are available on microfilm. Call number: REF PN 2052. N48 1973
- Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature.
- Articles from popular magazines from 1925-present. Location: Periodical Indexes.
See also the "Recommended Reference Books" section under Biographical Information for criticism.
Databases
- Lexis-Nexis
- Newspaper play reviews from 1980-present. Select in Step One "Arts and Sports News" and in Step Two "Books, music, movie, & play reviews" to start a search for reviews.
- JSTOR
- Full-text scholarly articles and reviews
- Project Muse
- Full-text scholarly articles and reviews
- MLA
- Citation records and some full-text of scholarly articles from 1963-present
Websites
Searching with the playwright's name, the play's title, and the term "review" together in Google (or another search engine) may result in useful reviews.
Production History of the Play
Books
Use the Advanced Search feature of our Online Catalog and the I-Share Catalog. Search using the author's name with the subject heading "stage history."
- Example: o'casey sean stage history as Subject
You can also search just the playwright's name as Subject or as Author.
Since information on production history may also be found in theater reviews, the following reference books and databases mentioned above can be helpful:
Reference Books
- The New York Times Directory of the Theatre.
- Call number: REF PN 2052 .N48 1973
- Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature.
- Location: Periodical Indexes
Databases
Websites
- Internet Broadway Database
- Lists Broadway productions of plays.
Images
Books
For more precise results, do an Advanced Search in the Online Catalog and the I-Share Catalog using "pictorial works" as a subject heading:
- Example: dublin pictorial works as Subject
You can also do an Advanced Search using one of these terms as a Subject: costume, photographs, furniture, interior decoration, architecture history, decoration ornament.
Recommended Reference Books
- Janson's History of Art: The Western Tradition
- Call number: REF N 5300 .J3 2007
- The New Century Handbook of Greek Art and Architecture
- Call number: REF N 5633 .N39
Databases
- SASKIA Art Images Collection
- Choose either the SASKIA collection listed at the top of the page or one of the other collections.
Websites
- Google Images
- Image search engine
- Ditto
- Image search engine
- Bridgeman Art Library
- Access to thousands of fine art images
- Musee
- Provides links to museum websites, which often have access to online images. Choose the Advanced Search option at the top of the page to find a specific museum.