UVM Libraries Research Guides: Theatre: Websites

Theatre Websites

A comprehensive list of websites related to the study of theatre and drama is impossible, due to the sheer number. Below is a very selective list of websites - each of which covers more than one aspect of theatre and drama. Websites on specific aspects of theatre and drama are found in other areas of this subject guide.

Note: For websites relating to costume and fashion, use the Costume Subject Guide. For websites relating to theatre history, see Theatre History - Websites in this guide.

Theatre News

Theatre Awards

Tony Awards
Official site of the American Theatre Wing's Tony awards, the most prestigious awards in Broadway theatre.
Obie Awards
American Theatre Wing and the Village Voice co-present the Obie Awards and salute excellence in off-Broadway and off-off Broadway theatre.
Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
Drama Desk Awards
Official site of the Drama Desk awards, honoring productions from Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway.
Laurence Olivier Awards
Official site for the most prestigious awards in London theatre. Analogous to the American Tony Awards.
UK Theatre Awards
The only nationwide awards to honor outstanding achievement in regional theatre throughout the UK.

Selected Websites - US

Playbill Vault Searchable database of content from the famous yellow Playbills, dating back to at least the 1930s. Each play entry includes a synopsis, opening date, closing date, number of performances, opening night cast and credits, and a list of former and subsequent productions with that same type of information.
Broadway League Official website of the Broadway Theatre Industry.
Internet Broadway Database (IBDB) Official database for Broadway theatre information. Provides records of productions from the beginnings of NY theatre until today. Affiliated with the Broadway League.
Lortel Archives: The Internet Off-Broadway Database Also known as the Internet Off-Broadway Database, provides a catalogue of all shows ever produced Off-Broadway.
Broadway Online
TDF TDF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to bringing the power of the performing arts to everyone.
American Theatre Wing NY-based non-profit organization whose stated mission is its dedication to celebrating excellence and supporting education in the theatre. This is the organization which founded the Tony Awards.
Performing Arts Encyclopedia Guide to the collections and resources at the Library of Congress that pertain to music, theater, and dance.
Musicals 101: The Cyber Encyclopedia of Musical Theatre, Film & TV
Backstage...The Actor's Resource (US) Provides news, advice to actors, information about auditions, etc.
Handbook for Student Dramaturgs Initially created by Magda Romanska, Ph.D., Visiting Associate Professor at Harvard University, and Associate Professor of Theatre Studies and Dramaturgy at Emerson College.
Digital Public Library of America: The Show Must Go On! American Theater in the Great Depression
Library of Congress Digital Collections
Explore digital collections, including Performing Arts from the Library of Congress. Includes written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music that document the American experience.
Getty Research Institute
Digital collections and databases to support research in the visual arts. Start your research in the Getty Search Gateway portal where you can search for free images for downloading without restriction.
Performing Arts Libraries, Archives & Museums
List compiled by and presented on the website of the Theatre Library Association. (last updated July 2014)

Selected Websites - UK

Official London Theatre Guide
London Theatre Guide - Online
UK Theatre Trade association representing the interests of and providing professional support for the performing arts in the UK. Sponsors the UK Theatre Awards, the premier award ceremony celebrating regional theatre throughout the UK.
UK Theatre Web
National Theate - Backstage (UK) Part of the (British) National Theatre website providing access to podcasts, behind-the-scenes information about productions and exhibitions on a variety of topics.
National Theatre [UK]
Royal Shakespeare Company [RSC]
Shakespeare's Globe
Victoria & Albert Museum - Theatre & Performance Portal

UK & US

CurtainUp
Find theatre reviews, features and annotated listings-NYC, London, major cities and regional.

Libraries

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts : Billy Rose Theatre Divison
Houses one of the worlds most extensive combination of circulating, reference, and rare archival collections in its field. These materials are available free of charge, along with a wide range of special programs, including exhibitions, seminars, and performances. The Library is known for its prodigious collections of non-book materials such as historic recordings, videotapes, autograph manuscripts, correspondence, sheet music, stage designs, press clippings, programs, posters and photographs.
Many digitized materials from the Billy Rose Theatre Division are available to view in Digital Collections, including several notable photograph collections, notable design collections, and notable full-text scripts collections.