Collection Development Policies:
Theatre
Introduction: The theatre program offers studio work in the performing arts, courses in appreciation, history
and criticism, technical and theoretical training, and teacher preparation. Both
programs offer an undergraduate major, and a graduate degree at the Master's level.
Students, professionals and critics of the performing disciplines are unusual
in their need for information resources beyond traditional textual materials,
including musical scores, sound recordings and video formats. The collections
in theatre support student coursework and research at the bachelor's and master’s
levels.
Purpose: To support teaching and research in theatre and
to provide material on applied aspects of play production at the Bachelor's and
Master's levels in drama education, drama production, theatrical design, and theatre
history and criticism,and to support faculty research. Interdisciplinary programs
such as American Studies are also supported by the theatre collection, as are
General Education Requirements courses such as World Civilizations and English
Composition.
This policy covers technical stagecraft, history and criticism
of theatre. Texts of English-language plays are discussed in the
English and American Literature statement. Texts of foreign-language plays, both in
the original and in English translation, are discussed in the statements for those
languages. Production techniques for radio, television, and film are covered by
the statement for Communication.
General Collection Guidelines:
- Languages:
English is the primary language, but works in other languages, such as French, German, Classical
Greek, Italian, Spanish and Russian, are acquired on a limited basis, especially
for critical, historical, and theoretical treatments. Where essentially visual
presentations are concerned, as in collections of stage set designs, pictures
of costumes, etc., language is of lesser importance.
- Chronological Guidelines:
Historical studies of drama and stagecraft are acquired regardless
of chronological period, beginning with ancient theatre and continuing to the
present time.
- Geographical Guidelines:
American and European theatre are areas of special interest. Works concerned with dramatic
traditions of other areas are more selectively purchased.
- Treatment of the Subject:
Except where such treatments might be of value in drama education,
juvenile materials are excluded. Biographies of actors, producers, playwrights,
dancers, etc., are acquired; they may be scholarly or popular in treatment. Textbooks
beyond the elementary level are often desirable, especially in applied areas such
as costuming, lighting, etc. Histories, criticisms, and techniques of the dramatic
arts are widely acquired. Published materials dealing with particular companies
or theatres are collected as are histories of a more general type.
- Types of Material:
In addition to monographic and periodical literature,
these types are acquired: dictionaries, directories, selected dissertations (preference
given to microform reproductions), encyclopedias, library catalogs, proceedings
of societies, etc. Scenarios and prompt-books are excluded except when of historical
interest or when no more suitable version is available. Electronic resources are
acquired.
- Date of Publication:
Current material is most heavily acquired, particularly in applied areas, but retrospective titles, especially
as they show historical development, are occasionally purchased.
Observations and Qualifications by Subject with
Collection Level:
Drama History and Criticism:
C(2)
Primary emphasis on American, British, other Western European, and Russian drama,
Classical Greek and Roman theatre, Elizabethan theatre, German baroque and
modern period, Twentieth Century American drama. Close secondary emphasis
on discussions of dramatic expression in non-western cultures.
Technical Theatre, Production and Management:
Costume Design:
C(2)
Current manuals of the "how to" variety. For history of dress include materials without
limitations as to chronology, date, or geography.
Lighting, Scenery, Set Design:
C(2)
Current manuals. Illustrated historical treatments.
Halls of Theatrical Performances:
C(2)
Emphasis on history and design theory. Specifically architectural considerations are considered in
Architecture.
Acting:
C(2)
Theory, principles, techniques and traditions of the craft. English language preferred, in original
or as translation.
Directing: C(2)
Theory, principles, techniques and traditions of the craft. English language preferred, in original
or as translation.
Playwriting:
C(2)
Theory, principles, techniques and traditions of the craft.
Theatre Management:
C(2)
Includes programming, advertising, financial aspects. Primarily English language, American practices.
Drama Therapy, Educational Theatre:
D
Materials in these areas are often in psychology and education. Specific items are purchased
specifically to support teaching and research in theatre per faculty request
and/or at the discretion of the selector.
Paula Elliot
Spring 2004