THE 331x - Theatre History & Dramatic Literature I, II, & III

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The Art of Dramaturgy is a transformative approach to dramaturgical thinking and collaboration. Each chapter includes ways to approach so-called old plays or set texts (think Shakespeare or Pinter or Parks) and then takes it up a notch to show how to use those skills when working on new plays.
Beginning the dramaturgical process: Letting go of bias -- Reflection: The foundation of active dramaturgy -- The dramaturg's art: Posing open questions & listening well -- Preparation for & collaboration with the director & design team -- Preparation for & collaboration with the playwright -- The first day of rehearsal & working with the actors -- Active production dramaturgy: From rehearsal to previews to opening night -- Festivals, workshops, & post-play discussions -- Capturing the vision: Program notes, newsletter essays, & study guides

This is an essential book for all theater practitioners. ""Ghost Light: An Introductory Handbook for Dramaturgy"" offers useful and entertaining answers to the confounding questions: 'What, exactly, is dramaturgy, and what does a dramaturg do?' According to Michael Mark Chemers, dramaturgs are the scientists of the theater world - their primary responsibility is to query the creative possibilities in every step of the production process, from play selection to costume design, and then research the various options and find ways to transform that knowledge into useful ideas. To say that dramaturgs are well-rounded is an understatement: those who choose this profession must possess an acute aesthetic sensibility in combination with an extensive knowledge of theater history and practice, world history, and critical theory, and they must be able to collaborate with every member of the creative team and theater administration. ""Ghost Light"" is divided into three sections. Part 1, 'Philosophy', describes what dramaturgs do, presents a detailed history of dramaturgy, and summarizes many of the critical theories needed to analyze and understand dramatic texts. 'Analysis' teaches the two essential skills of a dramaturg: reading and writing. It includes a '12-step program for script analysis' along with suggestions about how to approach various genres and play structures. 'Practice', the third part, delves into the relationships that dramaturgs forge and offers useful advice about collaborating with other artists. It also includes ideas for audience outreach initiatives such as marketing and publicity plans, educational programs, talkbacks, blogs, program notes, and lobby displays, all of which are often the responsibility of the dramaturg. ""Ghost Light"" was written with undergraduate students in mind and is perfectly suited for the classroom (each chapter concludes with a series of practical exercises that can be used as course assignments). However, dramaturgy is a skill that is essential to all theater practitioners, not just professional or aspiring dramaturgs, making ""Ghost Light"" a valuable addition to all theater libraries.

Theatre has often served as a touchstone for moments of political change or national definition and as a way of exploring cultural and ethnic identity. In this book Steve Wilmer selects key historical moments in American history and examines how the theatre, in formal and informal settings, responded to these events. The book moves from the Colonial fight for independence, through Native American struggles, the Socialist Worker play, the Civil Rights Movement, and up to works of the last decade, including Tony Kushner's Angels in America. In addition to examining theatrical events and play texts, Wilmer also considers audience reception and critical response.

Volume 5: Civil Rights Movements to Future Times (1960-2000) is available online.
ch4ck availability of print version of all volumes in set
Information about the historical background of over 300 often-studied literary works from around the world. This five-volume set is arranged chronologically by major historical periods, offering students contexts and connections to enhance the learning experience. Entries feature: a brief introduction to the work; discussion of the work's historical setting; an overview of the events of the time that the work was written; and the work in focus.
- v. 1. Ancient times to the American & French Revolutions (pre-history to 1790s)
- v. 2. Civil wars to frontier societies (1800-1880s)
- v. 3. Growth of empires to the Great Depression (1890-1930s)
- v. 4. World War II to the affluent fifties (1940-1950s)
- v. 5. Civil rights movements to future times (1960-2000)
old ebook link

ch4ck availability
2-volume supplement covering another 100 works

ch4ck availability
This volume focuses on major fiction, poetry and non-fiction from Latin America. Organized by title, it discusses 50 works through detailed essays.