THE 100: Plays
Criticism and Interpretation
- Credo Reference This link opens in a new windowThis database contains multiple encyclopedias that may help you find information about plays, different periods of time, and other background information to help you decipher plays.
Play Index
Ottemiller's Index to Plays in Collections by Call Number: REF PN1655 .O8 2011ISBN: 9780810877207Publication Date: 2011TWO STEPS: 1--Look up a play by author or title and see a list of anthologies in which it can be found. 2--Look the anthology up in the Parkland Catalog to see if it's available.
Direct Link to "American Theatre" Magazine
- American Theatre MagazineA direct link to the American Theatre magazine.
- American Theater PlaysA list of plays published in the American Theatre magazine listed by author. Make sure to look at the date it was written, then look for the play with the above link.
Need Drama?
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.
How To
Plays are published in three basic ways:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Stuck for ideas?
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:
Plays for a Certain Number of Actors
Need a play for class with 2, 3, 4 or more actors? Or a monologue? The links below will help.
Subject Guide
Jane Smith
she/her
Contact:
Learning Commons
Office number: R234
(behind Research Help Desk)
janesmith@parkland.edu
Office number: R234
(behind Research Help Desk)
janesmith@parkland.edu
217-351-2410
Historical Perspective
Use these resources to gain perspective on the time and place your play takes place.
American Culture in the _____ (decade)
Core Collection
Best Plays of ...Call Number: PN6112 .B462Publication Date: 1989-2002Also known as the “Burns/Mantle Theater Yearbook." Biggest drawback--it doesn't contain the full play, just descriptions and excerpts.