Theater Resources
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Contents
- General
- Classical Theater
- Ancient Greek Theater
- Ancient Roman Theater
- Medieval Theater
- Renaissance Theater
- Italian Renaissance Theater
- English Renaissance Theater
- William Shakespeare
- Japanese Theater
- Pre-Modern Theater
- Modern Theater
- Contemporary Theater
General |
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- Ace Your Audition Adam is an actor who provides free advice and tips on how to prepare, find, and ace acting auditions.
- Internet Broadway Database A comprehensive database of shows produced on Broadway.
- Online Ballet Dictionary Defines terms and ballet movements with demonstrations videos from the dancers of American Ballet Theatre.
- Musicals 101 This resource includes hundreds of pages on the history and current development of musical theater.
- Speech Accent Archive Provides audio clips portraying different accents.
- Theatre Database Explores the history of the theatre from Ancient times to present day. There's also a Monologue Archive and related links.
- Working in the Theatre American Theatre Wing presents this video series that shows what it is like to work at a theater putting on a show.
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Classical Theater |
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ANCIENT GREEK THEATER
ANCIENT ROMAN THEATER
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- Aeschylus Tells the life story of the father of tragedy, Aeschylus.
- The Agamemnon of Aeschylus Presents the full text of the first play in the Oresteia trilogy where Agamemnon returns home from war in Troy only to be murdered by his wife and her lover and the blood feud the ensues.
- Ancient Greek Theater Walter Englert from Reed College outlines the Greek Theater with a timeline, origins of Greek drama, theaters, staging, other resources, and more.
- Aristophanes, the Ancient Greek Comedy Writer Profiles the Ancient Greek playwright who wrote comedies like The Frogs, The Clouds, and Lysistrata.
- Euripides Describes the life and works of Ancient Greek tragedian, Euripides.
- The Frogs by Aristophanes The online version of The Frogs by Aristophanes that appeared in the eighth volume of Harvard Classics series about Dionysus who travels to Hades in an effort to bring Euripides, his favorite poet, back to life--but finds him in competition with Aeschylus to be the cleverest poet in hell.
- Medea by Euripides Presents the online edition of Euripides play about Medea who plots revenge after being betrayed by her husband and banished from her home.
- The Plays of Sophocles Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Colonus; Antigone Presents the electronic edition of the Oedipus Trilogy written by Sophocles: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone.
- Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus This world heritage site contains the temple of Asklepios - the god of medicine, the Tholos and the Theater.
- Sophocles Highlights the life of Ancient Greece's most popular playwright, Sophocles.
- Theatre of Dionysos Eleuthereus Mark Cartwright describes the oldest Greek amphitheater where many of the famous Greek plays were performed.
ANCIENT ROMAN THEATER
- The Comedies of Terence Presents six comedies written by Publius Terentius Afer (Terence).
- Titus Maccius Plautus Profiles one of Rome's greatest playwrights and his comedies.
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Medieval Theater |
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- Everyman The Luminarium contains links to online texts, essays and articles, and study guides about the medieval play, Everyman.
- Everyman with Other Interludes The 1909 edition of Ernest Rhy's collection of morality and miracle plays includes Everyman; The Deluge; Abraham, Melchisedec, and Isaac; The Wakefield Second Shepherds' Play; The Coventry Nativity Play; The Wakefield Miracle-Play of the Crucifixion; The Cornish Mystery-Play of the Three Maries; The Mystery of Mary Magdalene and the Apostles; The Wakefield Pageant of the Harrowing O Hell; and God's Promises.
- The Noh Explains what Japanese Noh is, its history, its masks, and more.
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Renaissance Theater |
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ITALIAN RENAISSANCE THEATER
ENGLISH RENAISSANCE THEATER
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
JAPANESE THEATER
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- Carlo Goldoni's House Profiles the Commedia dell'arte playwright and his home in Venezia, Italy.
- The Comedies of Carlo Goldoni Presents four comedies (A Curious Mishap, The Beneficent Bear, The Fan, and The Spendthrift Miser) written by Carlo Goldoni and edited with an introduction by Helen Zimmern.
- Commedia dell'arte Jennifer Meagher of the Metropolitan Museum of Art explains Commedia dell'arte and its history.
- Teatro Olimpico Vicenza The official website of the oldest theater from the Renaissance period. Located in Vincenza, Italy, it was designed by Andrea Palladio.
- What You Need to Know About Comedia dell'arte Briefly describes the Italian theater movement that began in the 16th century including the typical characters, costumes, and masks.
- The World's First Opera Briefly describes Dafne the very first opera written by Jacopo Peri, Jacopo Corsi, and Ottavio Rinuccini.
ENGLISH RENAISSANCE THEATER
- Ben Jonson Describes the life of poet and playwright Ben Jonson.
- Edward the Second by Christopher Marlowe The historical play by Christopher Marlowe about the reign and murder of King Edward II.
- Elizabeth Cary, Early English Poet, Dramatist, and Scholar Profiles the life of the first woman to write a drama in English.
- Elizabethan Drama Contains biographies and edited plays (make them more readable for the modern reader) by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, George Chapman, John Ford, Robert Greene, John Lyly, Christopher Marlowe, Philip Massinger, and George Peele.
- John Webster: British Library Briefly profiles the English playwright and highlights his works.
- The Marlowe Society Describes the life and works of Christopher Marlowe.
- Nicholas Udall Presents a biography, works, essays and articles, and other resources about Nicholas Udall.
- Ralph Roister Doister by Nicholas Udall Presents the first comedy written in English.
- The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlow from the Quarto of 1604 Presents the 1604 publication of Christopher Marlowe's play.
- Volpone; Or, The Fox by Ben Jonson Presents Jonson's comedy about a man who pretends to be on his deathbed to trick the three men who hope to inherit his fortune.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
- The Collected Works of Shakespeare Here you can read many of Shakespeare's plays online. There are also links to other Shakespeare resources.
- Folger Shakespeare Library Located in Washington D.C., this library houses the largest Shakespeare collection in the world. On the website, one can discover the life and works of William Shakespeare. This is a valuable resource!
- Frontline: The Shakespeare Mystery Based on a Frontline episode on PBS, this site explores the debate about the authorship of Shakespeare's plays.
- MIT Global Shakespeare View performances of Shakespeare’s plays from around the world.
- My Shakespeare Dive into the rich world of Shakespeare with full-text, interactive editions of his plays.
- Shakespeare Birthplace Trust The official website of William Shakespeare's birthplace contains information about the area, videos answering frequently asked questions about William Shakespeare, and more.
- Shakespeare Documented Presents a biography about William Shakespeare and a catalog of primary source relating to his life and works.
- Shakespeare Illustrated Explores the various artwork that was inspired by William Shakespeare's plays.
- Shakespeare Resource Center A comprehensive look at Shakespeare including play synopses, history of the Globe, the debate about authorship, and more.
- Shakespeare Uncovered This is the companion site to the PBS series where actors look deep into aspects of Shakespeare’s plays. Can also view videos of episodes, scenes from performances, and more.
- Shakespeare's First Folio Explore the University of Leeds' copy of William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories & Tragedies, also known as Shakespeare's First Folio. It is a collection of eighteen of his plays published in 1623.
- Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Take a virtual tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.
- William Shakespeare Contains biographical materials and information about his plays, sonnets, the Globe Theatre, and more.
JAPANESE THEATER
- An Introduction to Kabuki Theater Explains what Kabuki Theater is, a type of theater still popular in Japan.
- The Origins of Kabuki Theater Highlights the history of Kabuki Theater.
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Pre-Modern Theater |
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- A Brief History of Beijing Opera The Association of Asian Studies outlines the history and characteristics of Beijing Opera.
NEOCLASSICAL THEATER
- The Cid by Pierre Corneille The online edition of Pierre Corneille's groundbreaking play that tells the story of Rodrigue and Chimene, whose fathers' feud violently interrupts their love.
- The Inspiring Life and Work of Moliere Google Arts and Culture examines the life and plays of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (Moliere).
- Jean Racine Profiles the French playwright, Jean Racine.
- The Miser by Moliere Contains the full-text of Moliere's play about a misguided hero who obsessively disrupts the lives of those around him.
- Phaedra by Jean Racine Presents the full-text of French playwright Jean Racine's play that tells the story about a dying queen's obsessive love for her stepson, Hippolytus, has come to be known as one of the great dramas of tragic infatuation, a tale of love strong enough to bring down a kingdom.
- Tartuffe, or the Hypocrite by Moliere The online version of Moliere's satirical play translated by Curtis Hidden Page.
ENGLISH RESTORATION
- Aphra Behn Profiles the playwright, novelist, and poet Aphra Behn.
- Cato: A Tragedy in Five Acts by Joseph Addison A play written in 1712 about a Roman Senator's fight for individual freedoms over the tyranny of Julius Caesar in the last years of Caesar's Civil War.
- The Beggar's Opera by John Gay The full-text of John Gay's ballad opera which was first performed in 1728 that satirizes the corruption to be found in all levels of society.
- George Farquhar Briefly describes the life of English playwright, George Farquhar, and links to PDFs of four of his plays: Love and a Bottle, The Constant Couple, The Recruiting Officer, and The Beaux' Stratagem.
- Oliver Goldsmith Highlights the life of author, playwright, and poet, Oliver Goldsmith, and includes links to PDFs of two of his plays: The Good-Natured Man and She Stoops to Conquer.
- Restoration Plays The Royal Shakespeare Company describes the comedies written during the Restoration period in England, includes links to a timeline and Restoration playwrights.
- Richard Brinsley Sheridan Presents a brief biography of Irish poet, playwright, and politician. Includes links to five of his plays: The Rivals, St. Patrick's Day, The School for Scandal, The Critic, and Pizarro.
- The Way of the World by William Congreve Presents the full-text of the Restoration play that follows two lovers, their quest to marry, and the myriad characters and relationships which stand in their way.
- William Congreve Contains a biography, quotes, list of works, essays, and more.
ROMANTICISM
- Faust: A Tragedy by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Presents the full-text of Goethe's tragedy which was later adapted into an opera.
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Profiles the German playwright and poet with examples of his poetry.
- Who Is Friedrich Schiller? The Schiller Institute presents a video and essay about the life and works of Friedrich Schiller, a German playwright and poet.
VICTORIAN THEATER
- Alfred Noyes Profiles the British poet and playwright who wrote The Highwayman.
- Androcles and the Lion by Bernard Shaw Presents Shaw's play based on the fable about a Greek tailor's conversion to Christianity, his befriending of a lion, and gladiatorial experience in Nero's Coliseum.
- A Beginner's Guide to Gilbert and Sullivan The English National Opera has put together this simple guide about William Schwenck Gilbert, Arthur Sullivan, and their fourteen comic operettas.
- Caesar and Cleopatra by Bernard Shaw The online edition of Shaw's satire on Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra.
- The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan Contains the full-text of fourteen Gilbert and Sullivan operettas: The Gondoliers, The Grand Duke, H.M.S. Pinafore, Iolanthe, The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, Princess Ida, Ruddigore, The Sorcerer, Thespis, Trial by Jury, Utopia Limited, The Yeomen of the Guard, and Patience.
- Discover J. M. Barrie Explore the life of J. M. Barrie and the Llewelyn Davies family who inspired Barrie to create Peter Pan.
- George Bernard Shaw Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925. Here is a short biography and facts about the playwright.
- The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive Gathers resources about W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan as well as their works.
- The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People by Oscar Wilde Presents Oscar Wilde's play about two seemingly unrelated parties are thrown into ridiculous entanglement when their fake identities, maintained in order to escape social responsibilities, grow ever more complicated to uphold.
- J. M. Synge Highlights the life of poet and playwright J. M. Synge and includes links to full-text of his plays.
- Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde The online format of the 1917 publication of Oscar Wilde's satirical play about a woman suspects that her husband is having an affair.
- Man and Superman by Bernard Shaw Presents Shaw's play based on the Don Juan theme.
- Major Barbara by Bernard Shaw The online edition of Shaw's play about poverty and society, dramatized in the struggle between a wealthy man and his daughter, Barbara, who works with the Salvation Army.
- The Official Web Site of Oscar Wilde Contains a biography, fast facts, photos, quotes, bibliography of works, and more.
- Oscar Wilde House: Dublin Oscar Wilde grew up at this house in Dublin. Here you can learn about his parents, William and Jane Wilde as well as about their son, Oscar.
- Oscar Wilde Online Provides a wide variety about Oscar Wilde including his life, plays, novels, short stories, poetry, essays, lectures, and more.
- Oscar Wilde Society Provides a biography and other information about Oscar Wilde.
- Pygmalion by Bernard Shaw The online edition of Shaw's play a professor of languages who sets out to transform a Cockney girl into a sophisticated lady. This would later be adapted into the musical, My Fair Lady.
- Shaw's Corner Describes the country home of George Bernard home, includes a short biography and more.
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Modern Theater |
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- Arnold Bennett Society Explores the life and works of British novelist, short story writer, and playwright, Arnold Bennett.
- August Strindberg: His Life and Works Investigates the life and works of Swedish playwright, novelist, poet, essayist and painter, August Strindberg.
- Bertolt Brecht Presents a biography of the German playwright and poet who is best known for his Three Penny Opera.
- Biography of Anton Chekhov Highlights the life of Russian playwright and short story writer, Anton Chekhov.
- Biography of Samuel Beckett, Irish Novelist, Playwright, and Poet Profiles the Irish writer of Waiting for Godot, Happy Days, Endgame, and more.
- Biography of Tennessee Williams, American Playwright Depicts the life and career of Tennessee Williams.
- The Eugene O'Neill Collection Bartleby presents four plays written by Eugene O'Neill: Beyond the Horizon (1920), The Hairy Ape, Anna Christie, and The First Man (published together in 1922).
- Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site Explore the life, writings, and estate of Eugene O'Neill.
- eOneill.com: An Electronic Eugene O'Neill Archive This site contains information about Eugene O'Neill and his plays. There are even reviews of current and past productions.
- J. B. Priestley The official website of the J. B. Priestley estate with a biography, list of his writings, photos, and more.
- The JB Priestley Society Examines the life and works of British novelist, playwright, and social critic, John Boynton Priestley.
- Jean-Paul Sartre Provides a biography and facts about the French playwright and philosopher. Sartre won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1964 but he declined it.
- Louis MacNeice Presents a biography of the Irish poet and playwright with selections of his poetry.
- Luigi Pirandello Presents the biography of Italian playwright, Luigi Pirandello, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1934. Includes facts about him and his work.
- Maxim Gorky Profiles the life of Maxim Gorky, a Russian political activist and writer of plays and short stories.
- The Mercury Theatre on the Air Tells the story of the Mercury Theatre which was a radio drama with Orson Welles that aired in the 1930's and contains audio of productions including the infamous War of the Worlds broadcast.
- Samuel Beckett Samuel Beckett was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1969. The Nobel Prize page contains a biography and facts about his life.
- Samuel Beckett Society The Samuel Beckett Society provides a biography of Samuel Beckett as well as other resources about the playwright.
- The Show Must Go On: American Theater in the Great Depression Discusses how the Great Depression impacted the theater business.
- Thornton Wilder Society This site is dedicated to the author and dramatist. You'll find a very good biography about Wilder and information about selected works. The College of New Jersey hosts this site.
- The Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov Presents the full-text of Anton Chekhov's play about three women who dream of escaping from their dull lives and marriages in a small provincial garrison town to the far more exciting Moscow.
HENRIK IBSEN
- Biography of Henrik Ibsen, Norwegian Playwright Discusses the life, works, and legacy of Norwegian playwright, Henrik Ibsen.
- A Doll's House: A Play by Henrik Ibsen The online edition of Ibsen's play that examines the human struggle against the humiliating constraints of social conformity.
- Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen Presents the full-text of Ibsen's play about Hedda Gabler, a woman who has married beneath herself, becomes trapped in a prison of her own making when she tries to advance her husband's career by driving his competitor to suicide.
- Henrik Ibsen The Norwegian Ibsen Company presents a biography of Henrik Ibsen covering his life, family, works, and death.
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Contemporary Theater |
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- Alan Ayckbourn The official website of the English playwright who has written 87 plays.
- Amiri Baraka The website of African American dramatist, novelist and poet, Amiri Baraka.
- Andrew Lloyd Webber The official website of Andrew Lloyd Webber who composed the music to musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ, Superstar, and more.
- Arthur Miller Society Discover the life and works of Arthur Miller with this site.
- August Wilson Society Explores the legacy of August Wilson and his ten plays that make up the Century Cycle.
- Caryl Churchill The British Library summarizes the life of playwright Caryl Churchill.
- Dario Fo Presents a biography and a chronology of the life and works of Italian playwright, Dario Fo. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1997.
- Edward Albee Society Discusses the life of Edward Albee and his plays, including plot summaries and critical analysis.
- Edward Bond Dramatist The official site of English dramatist, Edward Bond, who has written over 50 plays.
- Harold Pinter A comprehensive look at the English playwright and his work.
- Harold Pinter Provides facts about the playwright and his Nobel Lecture that was given on December 7, 2005. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2005.
- International Anthony Burgess Foundation Discuses the life of Anthony Burgess who was a novelist, playwright, poet, composer, journalist, and broadcaster.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda The official website of the actor, composer, playwright, lyrist, Lin-Manuel Miranda.
- The Pudding: An Interactive Visualization of Every Line in Hamilton Shirley Wu examines the hip-hop musical, Hamilton.
- The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization Not only can you find information about Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein III, but also about other dramatists. Also can read about different musicals and songs from musicals.
- The Sam Shepard Web Site Depicts the life of actor, playwright, writer, and director, Sam Shepard.
- Seamus Heaney Seamus Heaney was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995. This site contains a biography, facts about his life and works, and his Nobel Lecture given on December 7, 1995.
- Seamus Heaney Homeplace The official site of the Irish poet, playwright, and translator's childhood homes in where you can learn about his life and his literature.
- The Stephen Sondheim Society Provides a biography about Stephen Sondheim who wrote the music and lyrics to productions such as A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Sweeney Todd, Into The Woods, and more.
- Ted Hughes Society Chronicles the life, poetry, drama, and prose of Ted Hughes.
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