The Kennedy Center
Fairy Tale Variations
Here are two great lessons that work together and are inspired by the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods. Young writers and actors will retell the story of "The Frog Prince" through games, improvisational script writing, and song....
Curated OER
Eugene O'Neill on Page and Stage
Students investigate the life and works of Eugene O'Neill. In this American theater lesson, students read biographical information about O'Neill and review Long Day's Journey into Night. Students then analyze the play in order to deliver...
Curated OER
Arthur Miller and The Crucible
Students investigate the dramatic elements of The Crucible. In this drama lesson, students explore the elements and themes of the Arthur Miller play as they read the play and watch performances of some of the acts. Students then write...
Library of Congress
Loc: American Memory: Yiddish Language Playscripts
How Yiddish theater developed in America. Connects to 77 manuscripts. Links to the Yiddish playwrights.
Other
Gilbert and Sullivan Archive: Sir Arthur Sullivan
Biography of Arthur Sullivan, from the famous comic opera/operetta duo, Gilbert and Sullivan. The site contains a picture of Sullivan as well as a list of works. (Published Dec. 1888)
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Arthur Miller
Arthur Miller is presented in this biography for his plays revolving around post-World War II America, paying particular attention to the middle class and effects of Communism. See "Arthur Miller Activities" for related materials.
Other
Gilbert and Sullivan Archive: h.m.s. Pinafore
The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive provides an introduction, plot summary, text, glossary, clip art, reviews, music, and more for "H.M.S. Pinafore."
Other
Gilbert and Sullivan Archive: The Life of w.s. Gilbert
A detailed biography of William S. Gilbert. Along with Arthur Sullivan, he created comic operas. Site contains a picture and links to related sites.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: A Raisin in the Sun
This site features discussion questions to go along with each scene of the play "A Raisin in the Sun," by Lorraine Hansberry. Learners will gain a broader perspective of Hansberry's work when they visit this site.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Explore Pa History: Ethel Barrymore
Examine the historical contributions of Pennsylvania native and member of the Royal Family of American stage, Ethel Barrymore.
IMDb
Internet Movie Database: Tennessee Williams
Presented by Internet Movie Database, this website offers a list of Williams' film credits as both writer and producer. Each film credit serves as a link to more information about that title.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Thornton Wilder Lesson Plans: Our Town
Discover more about the play Our Town by Thornton Wilder when you visit this educational resource. This site features links to lesson plans for this incredible American drama.
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Tennessee Williams
This website provides a biography of Williams, with a list of his selected works and a bibliography. A good resource.
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Eugene O'neill
From the PBS series, American Masters, this is the biography of American playwright Eugene O'Neill.
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Group Theatre
Information about the Group Theatre of the 1930s provided by PBS's American Masters series. Also includes links to related information and a short video of some of the actors discussing one of their most successful play's opening night.
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Lillian Hellman
From the PBS series, American Masters, this is the biography for the American playwright Lillian Hellman.
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Neil Simon
From the PBS series, American Masters, this is the biography for the American playwright Neil Simon.
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Vaudeville
From the PBS series, American Masters, this is a description of early 20th century American popular theater, Vaudeville.
American Movie Classics Company
The Film Site: A Streetcar Named Desire
This resource offers good material on Tennessee Williams' play "A Streetcar Named Desire," including a quote from Williams on art, and information on the original 1947 production of the play and the 1950s film version.
Cengage Learning
Houghton Mifflin: Tennessee Williams
Designed as an online companion for teachers to the "Heath Anthology of American Literature," this website offers analysis of Williams' "Portrait of a Madonna," with sections on theme, style and original audience for his work.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Group Theatre
Encyclopedia entry about The Group Theatre that discusses its early productions and eventual demise. Also includes links to information about many of the influential people to come out of The Group Theatre, including Lee Strasberg,...
Other
Krying Sky Productions: The Group Theatre (1931 1940)
Contains four paragraphs of information about the influential Group Theatre of New York in the 1930s. Also contains links to more information about people who influenced or were associated with it including Konstantin Stanislavski, Lee...
Other
Metroactive: Scrt's 'The Adding Machine' Tots Up
Homepage for a theatre production of Rice's "The Adding Machine," the page also includes a brief explanation by Rice of his inspiration in writing the play.
Curated OER
Usacmh: Defense of the Americas 7 December 1941 2 September 1945
This brochure from the Army's Center of Military History gives an extensive account of the little-reported on American theater of World War II. Read about the preparations for hemispheric defense, the few breaches of the defense, and the...