Northeastern State University Libraries

                                Why do research?

Research can lead to information; information can lead to knowledge, and knowledge is powerful. All of the informational resources available originated from someone being curious about something, exploring it, and sharing the findings.

                               How is the NSU library organized?

Maps
     Physical Overview of the Library
Library of Congress
Hours

Useful reference books:

Overview:

books:

Theater--production and direction
Example:  Notes on Directing  PN 2053.H88 2003

encyclopedias
McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of World Drama Ref. PN 1625.M3
Oxford Companion to the Theatre Ref. PN 2035.O9

journals:
American Theatre  (Available in paper at PN2000 .A52 Current issue on first floor.)
Theatre Journal  (Available in paper at PN3171 .E38, second floor)

Finding and understanding the script:

(example:  Script Analysis:  Reading and Understanding the Playscript for Production  PN 2053.G698 1985)
To locate a play by a specific playwright, use the Library Catalog and search by author or title.  To see a list of possible plays, do an advanced keyword search on the Library Catalog and use the term "dramatist" as a keyword, and limit the search to a specific publisher, such as Dramatist.  There are also anthologies of plays available such as the following:
Best American Plays                                            PS 634.B4
Best Plays (Burns Mantle Theater Yearbook) PN 2266.A2B39
Best Short Plays                                                   PN 6111.B47
The Play Index  (Ref. PN 2000.P53) is an index to plays in anthologies and may be searched by playwright, title, subject and cast analysis.  Tony Awards is a good site for finding award winning plays.  Samuel French, Inc. and Dramatist Play Service are useful for ordering acting editions of plays.
To learn more about a script, search for criticism on the play as well as information about the playwright.  Useful databases include the following:
Academic Search Premier
Humanities Full Text (search for the play and limit the search to a theater journal)
Literature Resource Center
M.L.A. Bibliography
New York Times

Drama Criticism on the Eserver
Use the Library Catalog to find full-length biographies and criticisms of authors.   Do a Google search on the play to find photos of productions.

Auditions:

Books are available through the Library Catalog under the heading Acting auditions.  There are also books available under Monologues.

Rehearsals and acting:

There are books on theater rehearsals.  An example is The Rehearsal Handbook for Actors and Directors:  A Practical Guide PN 2071.R45P47 2001).  There are also books on Acting.
Audio visuals
Advanced Vocal Workout for the Actor with Susan Leigh AV PN 4197.A38 1990
Cold Readings Made Easy AV PN 2061.C59 1991
Combat for the Stage AV PN PN 2071.F5 C65 2002
The Method AV PN 2062.M48 1995
Uta Hagen's Acting Class AV PN 2075.U83 2002
Drama:  Producing a Play AV PN 3171.D73 1996
Voice Workout with Susan Leigh AV PN 4197.V65 1988
       

                         Locating Internet resources

Internet Search Engines Available

Some (hopefully) reliable approaches to finding good Web sources:

Best Information on the Net
Infomine
The Internet Public Library
Librarians' Index to the Internet
JVL NSU Subject Listing of Web Resources

Director's Boot Camp
Directors Guild of America   
Drama League
Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers

Assess the quality of the Web sites listed below:
Feline Reactions to Bearded Men
 

                         Critically assessing sources

1. Identify authors who are outstanding in their fields, determine the credentials of the author. Does the author have a degree in the field, is the author a professor?
2. Date of publication--is it recent? On Web pages, do the links work?
3. Does the publisher have a good reputation? Is it published by a professional association or university press? Is the journal refereed? On Web pages, check the domain (.edu is educational, .gov is government, .com is commercial, .net is network, .org is organizational)
4. How was the resource received by the critics?
5. Completeness of the material. Does the source have an index, bibliography?
6. Is the language slanted or biased?
7. Does it include well known facts or research studies? Is the information complete, accurate, objective?
8. What is the purpose of the resource?  Is it for the general public, children, scholars? Is the goal to market persuade, educate? 

                               How do I cite sources using M.L.A. style?

The CLIP Tutorial on Citations provides a good overview to citing resources. The M.L.A. Handbook for Writers of Research Papers is located on the first floor at the call number, Ready Ref. LB 2369.G53.  Also, try the MLA Web site. For additional help in citing sources, try KnightCite Bibliography Machine.
                                     

                              How do I acquire materials not available at NSU?

Interlibrary loan is available free of charge in which books and copies of articles can be borrowed from other libraries.  Allow approximately two weeks for interlibrary loan requests to be received.
 

How do I find these library resources through the Web?

Many of the resources listed above are available through the John Vaughan Library Home Page. With an NT password and userid, these resources may be used from any location.

SophiaBeverley Threatt, MLS, MA
Instructor of Library Services
Languages and Literature and Communication, Art, & Theatre
Resource Coordinator
(918) 444-3267
threatt@nsuok.edu