An American Theatre

This fascinating book traces the entire story of Westport Country Playhouse from its beginnings in the midst of the Depression to its 75th-anniversary renovations and rejuvenation. Filled with colorful characters, it is a story that will appeal to everyone who has ever been enchanted by live theatre.

"I cannot think of a better book for aspiring and working actors, craftspeople, artists, and managers" Kent Thompson, Artistic Director, Denver Center Theatre Company, Past President TCG Board of Directors "It's time for a new look at the complexity and richness of America's growing theatrical landscapre and Jim Volz is just the person to provide that overview" Lesley Schisgall Currier, Managing Director, Marin Shakespeare Company Working in American Theatre is a coast-to-coast overview of the opportunities awaiting theatre practitioners in every discipline. Featuring tips from America's top theatre professionals, this resource offers job-search and career-planning strategies, as well as detailed information on over 1,000 places to work in the American theatre, including regional companies, Broadway and commerical theatre, Shakespeare festivals, touring theatres, university/resident theatres, youth and children's theatres, and outdoor theatres. Offering an overview of the evolution of American theatre and behind-the-scenes stories of the regional movement, this single volume is an indispensable tool at every stage of your career.

The Cambridge History of American Theatre is an authoritative and wide-ranging history of American theatre in all its dimensions, from theatre building to play writing, directors, performers, and designers. Engaging the theatre as a performance art, a cultural institution, and a fact of American social and political life, the History recognizes changing styles of presentation and performance and addresses the economic context that conditions the drama presented. The History approaches its subject with a full awareness of relevant developments in literary criticism, cultural analysis, and performance theory. At the same time, it is designed to be an accessible, challenging narrative. Volume One deals with the colonial inceptions of American theatre through the post-Civil War period: the European antecedents, the New World influences of the French and Spanish colonists, and the development of uniquely American traditions in tandem with the emergence of national identity.

This comprehensive work is truly the first textbook in the field of dramaturgy. Most of the material-much of it by leaders in all areas of the theater-was commissioned for this collection, rather than being reprinted. Its currency and importance cannot be overestimated. A review of the history of dramaturgy as a profession, together with its European antecedents, gives students a sense of historical context. Selections from respected and recognized names in theater provoke student interest and communicate the benefits of those experts' experiences.

Gerald Bordman's American Musical Theatre has become a landmark book since its publication in 1978. It chronicles American musicals, show by show and season by season, and offers a running commentary and assessment as well as providing the basic facts about each production. This updated edition includes the new shows that have opened on Broadway since the original publication. Also included are over a hundred musicals that were turn-of-the-century, cheap-priced touring shows which never played Broadway, but were the training ground for many theatre greats.

This book provides a brief yet informative evaluation of the variety and complexity of theatrical endeavours in the United States, embracing all epochs of theatre history and situating American theatre as a lively, dynamic and diverse arena.

Audition monologues selected from plays first published in American theatre magazine since 1985.

Table of contents