Theatre: Web Sites

The webpage for the professional Stage Actors Union includes FAQ, constitution/bylaws, and other info germane to the working actor.

Provides practical advice for the novice actor and includes valuable lists of agencies, casting directors, selected conservatories, colleges and universities with programs in actor training.

A superb web "classroom" for voice training that includes a glossary, lessons on voice, sound, phonetics and speech, and a index with links to pages focused on voice, speech, accents and dialects

A detailed historical and visual guide on Elizabethan dress that includes sewing and catalog information.

"Online costuming sources for historical, science fiction and fantasy costumers."

A comprehensive collection of resources on historical, ethnic, and theatrical costume.

An enormous list of links to images, collections, and information about costumes through the ages. The manifesto itself is worthwhile reading for everyone involved in theater production, not just designers.

A web version of the 19th century book on the history of costume with plenty of full-color illustrations.

A site devoted excusively to the portrayal of Greek costumes through the centuries.

A directory of links on specific dances styles ranging from the mainstream (ballet) to the unusual (zydeco).

Provides resource materials for individuals interested in dramaturgy.

A small collection of web links useful to playwrights.

A theatre resource guide with comprehensive lists for web resources, online indexes and databases, electronic texts, journals and magazines, listservs and newsgroups.

An excellent guide from the Yale University Library.

"VoS emphasizes both primary and secondary (or theoretical) resources, and defines its audience as people who have something to learn from a higher-education, professional approach to the humanities"

Database includes English translations of ancient Greek plays; a search engine allows users to construct powerful queries to search the texts by word, phrase, work and author.

The Complete Works of Shakespeare Online. Site includes chronological and alphabetical listing of plays, a glossary and a web-version of Bartlett's Familiar Shakespearean Quotations.

An index to Shakespeare internet resources with links to the Bard's works, life and times, and criticism.

A webpage devoted to Restoration dramatists (Congreve, Shadwell, and Wycherley), history and politics.

Explores the art of Kabuki -- a traditional form of Japanese theatre -- with video illustrations and pages discussing Kabuki music, make-up, and history.

"This collection contains actual plots, focus charts, cue sheets and much more from four landmark productions digitized from the collections of the New York Public Library."

IBDB provides information on Broadway productions, both historical and current. You can search for titles, genres, people, theaters, characters, awards and more. It covers all genres but obviously is of special interest for musical theater. The historical information is slowly reaching farther back.

A central location for information about a large number of musicals including selected images and lyrics, songlists and synopses.

"Musicals101 promotes awareness of and participation in musical theater, film and television, creating information resources designed to assist students, show business professionals and fans of the genre."

Site offers directories and listings for identifying and purchasing specific plays, as well as providing an online licensing application. Search by keyword, cast size, gender, and length. Each entry includes a plot synopsis, casting information, price, and licensing fee.

Page includes a database for plays searchable by title and author, order forms and information on royalties, rights and restrictions.

Latest news and reviews of the New York City Theatre world.

Provides reviews for major plays in New York and ten other major cities.

A glossary of terms and techniques used in theatre and film special effects.

Glossary of technical terms that can be viewed alphabetically or by category.

Click on the descriptions to see the images.

Stage rigging formulas and equipment.

Student safety manual from the University of Michigan's Frieze Scene Shop.

A resource for students of theatre sound design.