Notable Women in the American Theatre: A Biographical Dictionary [Hardcover]

Alice M. Robinson (Editor), Vera Mowry Roberts (Editor), Milly S. Barranger (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 6, 1989 | ISBN-10: 0313272174 | ISBN-13: 978-0313272172 | Edition: First Edition

From Mrs. Lewis Hallam, the first known professional actress in America to outstanding women of the present era, this biographical dictionary alphabetically examines some 300 notable women who had distinguished careers in the American theatre. Not simply a list of names and activities, the volume--to the extent possible--narrates and evaluates the women's lives and accomplishments providing not only relevant biographical information and bibliographical materials but also 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 first reference of its kind devoted exclusively to women also serves as a unique survey of the history of American theatre. Notable Women in the American Theatre documents the widespread activities of women in the American theatre. As many of them functioned in more than one capacity, one of the two appendixes 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 special 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, 2 separate appendixes contain listings by place of birth and by profession and collate the interrelatedness 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 biography.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This reference book has entries for some 300 women in American theater, ranging from actors, directors, choreographers, playwrights, and designers, to critics, agents, and managers, and should provide focus for future scholars of women's studies and theater. Though written by many researchers, the entries have a formulaic structure, the final part of which, a bibliography, is the most useful. The book is crammed with information, both essential and interesting. Did you know that June Havoc and Gypsy Rose Lee were sisters? A couple of quibbles: A few of the entries do not seem to be particularly "notable" women of the theater. Also, the first index lists the entries by place of birth, which seems a silly rationale for arrangement of information in a work of this type. The volume will prove valuable to scholars and the curious.
- Thomas E. Luddy, Salem State Coll., Mass.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“This work is particularly useful because it includes not only actresses, but women agents, critics, dancers, directors, managers, playwrights, designers, producers--professional women who have contributed to the growth and development of the American theater. The range includes Maude Adams, Lorraine Hansberry, and Gypsy Rose Lee. Some of the criteria for inclusion are that the biographee have been born in the US or have had major portions of her career in the US, that her achievements be significant, and that a pioneering or innovative quality have characterized her contributions. The entries (two to four pages) are signed (there are 181 contributors) and include brief bibliographies. There is a main index in addition to a listing by place of birth and a listing by profession. Many of the subjects also appear in volumes of Notable American Women (though the new work includes living as well as deceased women) and other biographical sources for either the theater or for women, but this is a convenient collection of women who are important in a variety of ways to the American theater. Recommended for theater collections and women's studies collections in both academic and public libraries.”–Choice

“Notable Woman . . . examines some 300 women with distinguished careers in the American theatre. Actors, directors, designers, choreographers, managers, playwrights, educators, and critics, are included. Arrangement is alphabetical. Each entry describes the pertinent facts of the woman's life and contains a descriptive narrative relating to her career. A bibliography of source material is included in the entry.”–American Libraries

“A well-researched reference work, Notable Women in the American Theatre, documents the historic contributions of some 300 women to all aspects of the theatrical craft. Edited by Alice M. Robinson, Vera Mowry Roberts and Milly S. Barranger, it narrates and evaluates the life and work of actresses, directors, choreographers, playwrights and many other professionals in a revealing overview of our national stage.”–Back Stage

“. . . Notable Women in the American Theatre: A Biographical Dictionary is, on the whole, an important contribution to the literature of American theatre history. It succeeds in fulfilling the editors' wish to demonstrate the `widespread activities of women in the American theatre from the earliest times to the present.' Recommended for theatre and women's history collections alike.”–Reference Quarterly

“An excellent resource.”–Pennsylvania School Librarian's Association

“This reference book has entries for some 300 women in American theater, ranging from actors, directors, choreographers, playwrights, and designers, to critics, agents, and managers, and should provide focus for future scholars of women's studies and theater. Though written by many researchers, the entries have a formulaic structure, the final part of which, a bibliography, is the most useful. The book is crammed with information, both essential and interesting. Did you know that June Havoc and Gypsy Rose Lee were sisters? And a couple of quibbles: A few of the entries do not seem to be particularly `notable' women of the theater. Also the first index lists the entries by place of birth, which seems a silly rationale for ordering information in a work of this type. The volume will prove valuable to scholars and the curious.”–Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1008 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press; First Edition edition (December 6, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313272174
• ISBN-13: 978-0313272172
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,544,011 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)