Notable Women in the American Theatre: A Biographical Dictionary

This biographical dictionary alphabetically examines some 300 women who had distinguished careers in the American theatre. Not simply a list of names and activities, the volume narrates and evaluates the women’s lives and accomplishments providing relevant biographical information and bibliographical materials and describing the women’s professional contributions. In representing the careers of theatre artists from actors, directors and designers, to choreographers, managers, playwrights, educators, critics, variety performers and agents, this reference is devoted to women and serves as a survey of the history of American theatre. As many women functioned in more than one capacity, one of the two appendices lists names in the various professional categories. Each entry describes the pertinent facts of biography and contains a descriptive narrative relating to the individual’s career with a notation of her distinguished role in the American theatre. A bibliography of the featured woman, including sources to be found in books, magazines and newspapers is also part of the alphabetical entry. To aid readers and researchers, two separate appendices contain listing by place of birth and by profession and collate the inter-relatedness of the careers of many of the women. Compiled primarily as a reference for college and university libraries, the volume would be a useful supplement to courses in women’s studies, American studies, drama courses taught in English and theatre departments, courses in the history of the theatre, American history and bibliography.