The Cambridge History of American Theatre

The second volume of a three-volume history covering all aspects of American theatre.

Don B. Wilmeth (Edited by), Christopher Bigsby (Edited by)

9780521679848, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 23 January 2006

610 pages, 31 b/w illus.
23.4 x 15.6 x 3.1 cm, 1.006 kg

'All three volumes have greatly contributed to a better understanding of the American theatre as a reflection of the changing political, social and cultural face of the United States.' Michael Whitlatch, Buena Vista University Journal of Theatre Research International

The second volume of the authoritative, multi-volume Cambridge History of American Theatre, first published in 1999, begins in the post-Civil War period and traces the development of American theatre up to 1945. It covers all aspects of theatre from plays and playwrights, through actors and acting, to theatre groups and directors. Topics examined include vaudeville and popular entertainment, European influences, theatre in and beyond New York, the rise of the Little Theatre movement, changing audiences, modernism, the Federal Theatre movement, scenography, stagecraft, and architecture. Contextualising chapters explore the role of theatre within the context of American social and cultural history, and the role of American theatre in relation to theatre in Europe and beyond. This definitive history of American theatre includes contributions from the following distinguished academics - Thomas Postlewait, John Frick, Tice L. Miller, Ronald Wainscott, Brenda Murphy, Mark Fearnow, Brooks McNamara, Thomas Riis, Daniel J. Watermeier, Mary C. Henderson, and Warren Kliewer.

Introduction Christopher Bigsby and Don B. Wilmeth
Timeline: 1870–1945: compiled by Don B. Wilmeth and Jonathan Curley
1. The hieroglyphic state: American theatre and society, post Civil War to 1945 Thomas Postlewait
2. A changing theatre: New York and beyond John Frick
3. Plays and playwrights: Plays and playwrights: civil war to 1896 Tice L. Miller
Plays and playwrights: 1896–1915 Ronald Wainscott
Plays and playwrights: 1915–45 Brenda Murphy
4. Theatre groups and their playwrights Mark Fearnow
5. Popular entertainment Brooks McNamara
6. Musical theatre Thomas Riis
7. Actors and acting Daniel J. Watermeier
8. Scenography, stagecraft, and architecture Mary C. Henderson
9. Directors and direction Warren Kliewer.

Subject Areas: History of the Americas [HBJK], Reference works [GBC], Theatre studies [AN]