Research Guides: Theater: Theater on Video

Theater on Video

Aside from live performance, recorded films of theatre and performance are possibly the most informative sources for becoming familiar with various dance styles and aesthetics. Remember that these are usually highly edited and produced and may not be representative of what happened on stage.

National Theatre Collection
National Theatre Collection contains 50 high-definition streaming videos of live theatre productions by the U.K.’s National Theatre, accompanied by archival materials such as prompt scripts and costume designs. It includes both productions of new works by contemporary playwrights and new productions of classic plays, including Greek theatre, works by Shakespeare, and 20th century classics.
Academic Video Online
Has hundreds of theatrical performances, television and film adaptations of plays, and documentaries and interviews with artists, including videos from BroadwayHD, BBC's "Performance," OzFrank Theatre Matrix, the interview series Elliot Norton Reviews, and Dramatists Talk About Their Work. among many others.

Library Collection

The Libraries have hundreds of DVDs and videodiscs that are relevant to the study of theater, including filmed theatrical performances, film adaptations of plays, and documentaries on the theater, which can be searched in QuickSearch.

These include many performances published by the Broadway Theatre Archive and dozens of Shakespeare performances.

The guides below are also helpful in navigating the Libraries' video holdings: