Other Libraries, which offer general information include:
• Odegaard
• Suzzallo Library, which has more scholarly social history and criticism

Where to Begin:

• If you don't know much about a subject begin with an encyclopedia, such as the ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA (britannica.com) Search for the name of your playwright. The encyclopedia gives general background on dates, names of significant people, titles of plays and some production information.

• Remember there are encyclopedias for many subjects, e.g., Search the theatre encyclopedias for some suggestions

• Do a Subject search in the online catalog for your playwright, e.g., Ibsen, Henrik

  • notice the subject you're looking for is the first choice

  • a subject that has lots of material usually has subdivisions to narrow your search

  • one item specifically on Doll's House is on translations of Doll's House -- this item may not helpful unless the translation has modernized the play or stresses the approach you are taking

  Your best subdivision is criticism and interpretation,
  
  e.g., Ibsen Henrik 1828 1906 Criticism And Interpretation
  • note the online catalog puts the playwright's dates of birth and death into the search
  • If you don't know the playwright's dates, you can find this subdivision easily by searching for your playwright and then scrolling to the subheading of "Criticism and Interpretation".
  
  
• If you need help understanding how to search for a subject, Take time to read the Advice in Library of Congress Subject Search

Finding information on social conditions for different ethnic groups, countries, or specific locations.

Raisin in the Sun is about racial discrimination in the U.S. Try some of these headings for information:	African Americans -- Social conditions -- 1975- African Americans -- Economic conditions African Americans -- Civil rights Race discrimination -- United States
Hamlet and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are dead are both set in Denmark in an earlier century	Denmark Description And Travel gives you interior and exterior illustrations of Denmark as well as information on Denmark's countryside and cities Denmark History can be subdivided by different centuries
A bench in a public place is essential in the play Zoo Story	notice the different types of parks you could use

To find information on previous productions look for:
• Production Histories
• Reviews
• Criticism sources
  Your sources can be books or newpapers:
  • Local and internation newspapers have reviews and interviews, which discuss productions
  • Look at Current Contents, Expanded Academic Index, or Lexis/Nexis in the Search the Top Twenty Research Databases

• Looking for a play with a particular theme? Use Wilson's Play Index (Z5781 .P53 1949/52-1993/97 on the Index table in the Drama Library)
  Wilsons' lists plays published in a four year period
  You search Wilson's Play Index by author, title, or subject, e.g., look for plays on marriage, divorce, war, or insanity.
  
• Still can't decide which play to do? Check out the Plot Synopsis page
  
  
  
• If you feel uncomfortable doing research start with Begin Your Research
• If you need further assistance use the Research Homepage.