Theatre Research Guide:Finding Books

A guide to theatre resources from the Bell Library.

Browse the Shelves

Browse the library shelves in these call number areas, or browse the collection online by clicking the links below:

PN1560-1590 - Performing Arts/Show Business
PN1600-3307 - Drama
PN1720-1861 - History
PN2000-3307 - Dramatic Presentation/Theatre
PN2061-2071 - The Art of Acting
PN2085-2091 - The Stage and Accessories
PN2131-2193 - Drama by Historic Period
PN3151-3171 - Amateur Theatre
PN3175-3191 - College/School Theatre
PN6110.5-6120 - Dramatic Works (Plays)
PS623-635 - Dramatic Works (Plays)

Interlibrary Loan

If you need anything Bell Library doesn't own, Interlibrary Loan is the service that can find those materials to you!

Usually, we'll be able to get the material in a few days, but a hard copy (like a full book or journal issue) will take us a little longer.

Don't forget: If you are currently a registered Distance Learner with the Registrar's Office or designated as a Remote Researcher; you can have books from Bell Library’s Main Collection, and borrowed interlibrary loan materials, shipped directly to your home for free. We also supply a prepaid return label for your convenience.

Library Catalog Search

If you know exactly what you are looking for, use an Author or Title search in the Library Catalog.

If you are not sure what you need, use a Keyword search

  • For theatre related keyword searches, type in (or copy & paste) the following:
    • (theat* or drama) AND your topic

Note: The * used in the search phrase above is truncating the word to its root spelling.  This tells the catalog to search for any word that begins with the letters the precede the *.  For example: theat* will find theater, theatre, theatrical, theaters, etc.

  • Replace the words your topic  with other topics you want included, such as:
    • religion, politics, death, renaissance, etc.
    • Greek, Roman, English, etc.
    • commedia, farce, classical, Jacobean, etc.
    • encyclopedia, bibliography, translation, etc.
  • To add additional concepts or terms use the word AND, for example:
    • (theat* or drama) AND greek AND tragedy

This should get you started searching for items relating to theatre and history.