Looking to learn about comic improvisatory theater in Iran? Or political theater in the United States? How about Shared Experience Theater or Five Lesbian Brothers? Or the meaning of deconstruction with respect to drama?
To find the answers to these and a plethora of other questions, turn to The Columbia Encyclopedia of Modern Drama! This two-volume work features over 1200 entries on concepts, companies, countries, genres, movements, plays and playwrights from 1860 to the present. The work differs from other reference books on theater in its focus on practice and performance as well as written drama.
Entries have further reading recommendations, so it is easy to find additional materials. And just before the index there is a useful listing of entries by topic or country, making questions like “Who are contemporary playwrights from Malaysia?” a breeze to answer.
And be sure to check out selected entries written by Magda Romanska, Assistant Professor of Performing Arts and Head of Theatre Studies! Look for Denise Boucher. Sarah Anne Curzon, Merrill Denison, Linda Griffiths, Lois Reynolds Kerr and Marjorie Pickthall.
