THE 100: Plays

Finding Plays is similar to finding other types of material...you'll need to use the Library Catalog.

Knowing a few tips can make it easier.  This guide is designed to help.

Plays are published in three basic ways:

1. A single play as a book.  example:  The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams.  PS3545.I5365 G5 1949.  Search Parkland Catalog by author or title of play.
2. Collection of plays by a single author.  example:  Plays  by Tennessee Williams is a 2-volume set off all his plays.  PS3545.I5365 A6 2000 v.1 and v.2.  Search Parkland Catalog by author.
3. Collections of plays by DIFFERENT authors.  Also called “anthologies.”  Plays usually have something in common, such as time period, cast, style, and nationality or race of the playwright.  e
   • ​Example:  Contemporary Plays by Women of Color.  PS627.M5 C66 1996  
   • Search Parkland Catalog by subjects such as “drama collections”, “american drama women”, “english drama”, “minorities drama”, “monologues” etc.  
     • ​Best American Short Plays: PN 2112 .B44
     • Best Plays of .... PN 6112 .B4621

Once you see a play you're interested in, try looking for it in the library catalog or our databases for more information. 

Try looking at plays nominated for Tony Awards here. 

Or try this to find popular plays:

Play Database

Dramatists Play Service: Browse Plays

Need a play for class with 2, 3, 4 or more actors?  Or a monologue?  The links below will help.

Use these resources to gain perspective on the time and place your play takes place.

American Culture in the _____ (decade)