Theatre
A guide to resources for study and research in Theatre
Library Search
Dissertations & Theses
Many dissertations are available online. If not online, they can usually be borrowed through interlibrary loan.
- Dissertations and Theses Global (ProQuest) This link opens in a new windowIndexes virtually all doctoral dissertations and many masters theses produced in the U.S. since 1861. Dissertations from other countries date back to 1637. Abstracts available from 1980. Full text for dissertations being added continually. Most since 1997 are full text, though some authors choose to not make their work available. Print and microfilm copies are offered for a fee, but check out Interlibrary Loan before paying for a copy.
Google Books Search
Books in WMU Libraries
Find books and e-books using Library Search (search box to the left).
Searching hints:
- Type keywords in the box to the left, click on "Search."
- Once you have completed a search, you can try an Advanced Search from the results screen and combine several terms to find books on specific topics.
- To find a book by a person, search the name as an author.
- To find a book about a person, search the name as a subject.
- To limit Library Search to only books, scores, and other items owned by the WMU Libraries, click on the "Books and Media" tab.
- Use categories on the left of the results screen to narrow your results.
Before going to the stacks:
Be sure to look at the location and status of the book in Library Search. Most books are shelved in General Stacks, but some are in the Reference, Textbooks, or Oversize areas.
Where Theatre books are shelved
The Theatre collection is primarily in Waldo Library at the call numbers PN 2000-3307. Highlights:
- PN 2053 Directing
- PN 2055-2071 Acting
- PN 2085-2091 The stage and accessories
- PN 2131-2145 Ancient theatre
- PN 2152-2160 Medieval theatre
- PN 2171-2179 Renaissance theatre
- PN 2181-2193 Modern theatre
- PN 2219.3-3030 Theatre by region or country
- PN 3151-3171 Amateur theatre
- PN 3175-3191 College and school theatricals
- PN 4305 .M6 Monologues
Materials on music theatre are in the Music and Dance Library.
Books in other libraries
- MeLCat This link opens in a new windowThe Michigan eLibrary catalog and resource sharing system. Search for books and other materials in many Michigan libraries. You will need your WIN in order to request materials.
- Center for Research Libraries (CRL)CRL (Chicago) has a large and varied repository of research material about theatre. CRL loans books and other research materials to WMU students and faculty.
- WorldCat This link opens in a new windowComprehensive catalog of books and other materials in libraries around the world. Contains millions of records in hundreds of languages. Items located through WorldCat must be requested through Interlibrary Loan unless they are also listed in the WMU libraries catalog. (Library Search)