LibGuides: Theatre & Acting: Background Information

Background Information

“The mission of the theatre, after all, is to change, to raise the consciousness of people to their human possibilities.” – Arthur Miller

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED Online) defines theatre as the, "dramatic performances as a branch of art, or as an institution; the drama. Also, the drama of a particular time or place; dramatic art as a craft, the theatrical profession.

“The gratification comes in the doing, not in the results.” - James Dean

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED Online) defines acting as, "to perform (a play, film, or similar dramatic work); to represent (something) dramatically; to act out. Also in extended use: to feign, simulate (a particular emotion, feeling, or personality trait)."

Reference: Dictionaries and Ecyclopedias

The Cambridge Companion to African American Theatre by Harvey Young (Editor) This Companion provides a comprehensive overview of African American theatre, from the early nineteenth century to the present day. Along the way, it chronicles the evolution of African American theatre and its engagement with the wider community, including discussions of slave rebellions on the national stage, African Americans on Broadway, the Harlem Renaissance, African American women dramatists, and the 'New Negro' and 'Black Arts' movements. Leading scholars spotlight the producers, directors, playwrights and actors whose efforts helped to fashion a more accurate appearance of black life on stage, and reveal the impact of African American theatre both within the United States and further afield. Chapters also address recent theatre productions in the context of political and cultural change and ask where African American theatre is heading in the twenty-first century.
Call Number: PN2270.A35 C36 2013
ISBN: 9781107017122
Publication Date: 2012-10-25
The Columbia Encyclopedia of Modern Drama by Gabrielle H. Cody; Evert Sprinchorn (Editor) A wholly unique A to Z reference for modern drama, this authoritative encyclopedia differs from others in highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of drama by placing playwrights and plays within their social, cultural, and historical contexts. Over 450 leading scholars provide students, general readers, and scholars with clearly written and concise entries that steer clear of technical jargon while also offering advanced readers new perspectives on familiar figures, movements, trends, issues, and texts. The Encyclopedia concentrates on drama in the literary sense rather than as performance. The scope of this encyclopedia is truly global. The editors follow the development of modern theater in both Western Europe (England, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Italy, Ireland, France, Spain) and Eastern Europe; in Russia, China, Japan, India, and all of Southeast Asia; in Australia and New Zealand; in the United States and Canada; in Latin America, Africa, and in the Yiddish language. Entries are at least 500 words, richly researched and innovatively written. In "Brecht" the playwright's central themes and theories on theater are contextualized within the story of his exile, which paints a larger portrait of the cultural and political state of Europe at the time. In "Spain" the stories of certain theaters and prominent playwrights, such as Federico Garcia Lorca, are woven within the history of the country itself. And a colorful look at "Off Broadway" emphasizes the importance of theater economics and reveals its influence in shaping the development of drama. The history of modern drama is quickly becoming a popular area of study. The Encyclopedia of Modern Drama is a comprehensive and original approach to understanding this history and a powerful tool in reinforcing the vital role of drama in the intellectual and artistic life of the last 150 years.
Call Number: REF PN1861 .C65 2007
ISBN: 9780231140324
Publication Date: 2007-07-03
The Encyclopedia of Stage Plays into Film by John C. Tibbetts; James M. Welsh; Steve Allen (Foreword by) For years, stage plays have provided a rich source of inspiration for the film industry. Yet there hasn't been a book that has adequately addressed this artistic phenomenon -- until now. An excellent companion to Facts On File's The Encyclopedia of Novels Into Film, the volume opens with an introduction that traces the history of stage plays adapted for the silver screen. Each of the 300 entries is classified within one of three sections: Dramatic Adaptations, Shakespearean Adaptations, and Musical Adaptations. Each entry includes an overview of the stage play -- the title, playwright, plot summary, cast, production notes, critical acclaim -- along with an assessment of related film adaptations. Seventy-five black-and-white film stills and twenty-five line art portraits of select playwrights are included throughout the book. Informational appendixes include: -- "Backstage with the Bard": movies that have been inspired by or are connected to Shakespeare -- "Opera on Film": operas that have been adapted for the silver screen.
Call Number: REF PN1997.85 .T544 2001
ISBN: 0816041555
Publication Date: 2001-06-01