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Theatre
Selector: Linda K. Carr
GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE COLLECTION
The primary purpose
of the Theatre collection is to support the needs of students in the
School of Theatre Arts
of the College of Fine Arts (CFA), and those in English, Modern Languages and Comparative Literature, Romance Studies, Classics, and other disciplines who are interested in theatre
studies. The library collection includes both publications on practical
theatre arts and publications in theatre research. Materials on acting,
directing, design and production, and stage management form a significant
part of the collection. Of equal importance are publications that
cover historical and contemporary theatre practices and productions,
movements, and personalities; theatre criticism; memoirs and other
writings by important theatrical figures; and playtexts.
The School of Theatre Arts (STA) describes itself as 'a theatre conservatory within the embrace of a metropolitan university.' Its programs offer technical training and practical experience for students who will pursue artistic and commercial careers in theatre and related media. The major areas of concentration in the BFA program are the performance core, acting, design (scenic, costume, lighting, and sound), technical and costume production, stage management, and theatre arts. A double major is available through the BU Collaborative Degree Program (BUCOP). STA also offers an undergraduate minor in Theatre; a minor in Dance is available through the Department of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (PERD). The MFA program offers concentrations in directing; in design (scenic, costume, lighting, sound), production (technical production and costume production), and management (stage management and production management); and in theatre education. STA also offers Certificates of Training for the scenic artist, costumer, electrician, stage carpenter, and property master. In addition to coursework, students become involved in workshop productions and in public performances. They may participate in productions of the University's Opera Institute or the Huntington Theatre Company, the professional theatre-in-residence at BU. Additional opportunities are available to students through the Professional Theatre Initiative, a growing network of professional theatre organizations, including the Actors' Shakespeare Project of Boston, the Boston Playwrights' Theatre, the Williamstown Theatre Festival, and the Olney Theatre Center in Olney, MD. Post-graduate programs, including Acting in Hollywood and Writing in Hollywood, are designed to introduce STA alumni to the Los Angeles film and television industry.
SCOPE OF COVERAGE
1. Languages collected (primary and selective) or excluded: Practical theatre arts publications are collected in English. Most research materials about British or American theatre are in English. Research materials about theatre in other parts of the world are acquired by other selectors, and may be in foreign languages.
2. Geographical areas covered by the collections in terms of intellectual content, publication sources, or both, and specific areas excluded, as appropriate: A significant part of the research collection focuses on American and British theatre. Other selectors, for Modern Languages, Romance Studies, African Studies, and Classics, provide coverage of international theatre from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
3. Chronological periods covered by the collection in terms of intellectual content, movements or schools, and specific periods excluded, as appropriate: There are no chronological limits for the research collection. The majority of technical and professional training materials reflect contemporary practices.
4. Chronological periods collected in terms of publication dates, and specific periods excluded, as appropriate: Current publications are of primary importance. Retrospective purchases are made on a selective basis for the research collection, depending on availability of materials and funds.
GENERAL SUBJECT BOUNDARIES AND LIBRARY LOCATIONS
The subject scope of the Theatre collection is primarily covered by the Library of Congress call number PN. We also collect selectively in the Bibliography (Z) class in Drama and Theater, and in National and Personal Bibliography. The collection is housed in Mugar Memorial Library.
Collected:
| PN 1530-1590 | Performing arts. Show business |
| PN 1600-1988 | Drama |
| PN 2000-3035 | Dramatic representation. The theater |
Collected Selectively:
| PN 6110.5-6120 | Collections of general literature. Drama |
| Z 1201-4980.A-.Z | National Bibliography |
| Z 5781-5784 | Drama. Theater. Bibliography |
| Z 8001-8999 | Personal Bibliography |
Collected Very Selectively:
| GT 500-2370 | Costume. Dress. Fashion |
| PR 621-739 | English literature. Drama |
| PR 1241-1273 | Collections of English literature. Drama |
RELATED SUBJECTS AND INTERDISCIPLINARY RELATIONSHIPS
The selector for Theatre may consult with selectors in other subject areas:
African Studies: The African Studies selectors collect material on theatre in Africa.
Anthropology: The Anthropology Selector is primarily responsible for Manners and Customs (GT), but Theatre collects very selectively in Costume, Dress, and Fashion (GT 500-2370).
Art: The Art Selector is primarily responsible for materials on arts in general and on performance art.
Classics: The Classics Selector is responsible for material on the theatre of ancient Greece and Rome.
Communication: The Communication Selector is responsible for material on broadcasting and motion pictures, including screenplays.
English: There may be consultation with the English Selector on early theatre and drama in North America and the U.K.
Modern Languages/Romance Studies: The selector for Modern Languages and for Romance Studies is primarily responsible for materials on theatre history and dramatic literature in the languages, geographical areas, and chronological periods pertinent to those collections.
Music: There may be consultation with the Music Selector on dance and movement for the stage, and on music theatre.
TYPES
OF MATERIALS
Collected: Books, periodicals, commercially-published playtexts, and reference materials, which include encyclopedias, annuals, bibliographies, biographical dictionaries and directories, indexes, and companions.
Collected Selectively: Microforms, textbooks, dissertations, conference proceedings, multi-media publications, spoken-word recordings, electronic resources, and acting editions of plays (when the text is available only in that format).
Not Collected: Playbills, vanity press publications, pamphlets, rare books and manuscripts, and films, videotapes, or DVDs.
OTHER ON-CAMPUS
OR LOCAL RESOURCES
The Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, located in the Mugar Memorial Library building, is open to those engaged in serious research. The Twentieth Century Archives is a major resource for information on contemporary personalities in literature, criticism, drama, journalism, film, and other fields.
The Geddes Language Center, 685 Commonwealth Avenue, provides labs, specially-equipped classrooms, studios, screening rooms, and a large library of non-print material.
The BU Media Group operates Krasker Film/Video Services, 985 Commonwealth Avenue. The Krasker collection includes films, videos, laserdiscs, and DVDs to support courses offered at the University.
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