LibGuides: Resources in Art and Architecture on the Web: Drama & Theater

Drama and Theater

See also: Art by Type/Media: Costume, Fashion & Textiles

Art by Type/Media: Set & Theater Design

Acclaimed Theatrical Photographers
Includes works of Martha Swope, Kenn Duncan, Friedman-Abeles, Vandamm Theatrical Photographs, and White Studio. From NYPL.
Blondie Robinson Collection of African-American Minstrel and Vaudeville Photographs
A collection of 77 vintage photographs, primarily from the early 20th century formerly owned by Blondie Robinson, an accomplished African-American vaudeville performer of that era. Brown Digital Repository.
Butler Collection of Theatrical Illustrations
Scanned theatrical illustrations and popular American music. From Washington State University Libraries.
Cavalcade of America Photographs
Photos related to anthology radio program that aired from 1935 to 1953. From Hagley Museum & Library.
Chicago Theater Digital Collection
More than 2,000 playbills and programs dating from 1848 to 1922. From Chicago Public Library.
Note: May contain offensive materials.
Cincinnati Vaudeville Programs
Turn of the 20th century programs for Cincinnati theaters. From Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library.
Commedia dell'Arte: The Masks of Antonio Fava
Collection from Northwestern University Libraries.
Kate Matthews Collection
Photographs of tableaux vivants from the University of Louisville Libraries.
Mary McCord/Edyth Renshaw Collection on the Performing Arts
Programs, photographs, and other items related to the performing arts, ca. 8th century-1960s. From Southern Methodist University Libraries Digital Collections.
Max and Gertrude Hoffmann Photograph Collection
Photographs from 1900-1956 related to vaudeville. From Wake Forest University.
Milwaukee Repertory Theater Photographic History
Visual history of artistic productions in the years 1977-1994. From University of Wisconsin -- Milwaukee Libraries.
Peking Opera Characters
"Painted by an unidentified artist, these opera characters are gathered from literature, military history, and myth." (ca. 1900)
Postcards of Female and Male Impersonators and Cross-Dressing
Covers Europe and the United States from 1900-1931. From Cornell Library.
Syracuse University Sideshow Performers Collection
19th century photographs. Note: some material may be offensive.
Theater Actor Prints and Photographs Collection
Prints and photos of stage and early film actors from England the US, from 1880s to 1930s. From Wake Forest University.
Theatre Collection of the Free Library of Philadelphia
Includes lobby card, posters, and promotional material about film and theater.
Theatre Prints and Books from Early Modern Japan
Materials on Japanese theater, especially kabuki. From Cornell Library.
Van Damm Theatrical Photographs, 1900-1957
From the New York Public Library.
Variety, Vaudeville & Burlesque
Photographs from the New York Public Library.
White Studio Theatrical Photographs
From the New York Public Library.
Yiddish Posters
Collection presents 78 posters of advertisements for performances and presentations that took place in the 1920s-30s in Eastern Europe, especially Latvia. From University of Wisconsin -- Milwaukee Libraries.

Hyppolite Michaud. Spectators at the Theater. Oil on canvas, c.1840-1860. Rijksmuseum. Public Domain.