Theatre: Primary Sources

This guide provides links to basic theatre research: history, design, acting, production, scripts, videos, and careers.

Are Primary versus Secondary Sources?

Primary sources are the raw materials of history — original documents and objects that were either created during the time period being studied or were created at a later date by a participant in the events being studied (such as journalism, diaries, and memoirs). They reflect the individual viewpoint of a participant or observer. Primary sources enable the researcher to get as close as possible to what actually happened during an historical event or time period.
A secondary source is a work that interprets or analyzes an historical event or phenomenon. It is generally at least one step removed from the event is often based on primary sources. Examples include: scholarly books and articles, textbooks, and documentary films.
Note: A source can be "primary" in one context and "secondary" in another context.
Thanks to UC Berkeley Library "Finding Historical Primary Sources" and Library of Congress "Getting Started with Primary Sources" for providing source information for this guide page.

Types of Primary Sources

Presume "from the time period you're researching" as the context for each example.

Monographs, Manuscript, and First-Person Accounts

  • Memoirs, autobiographies, diaries
  • Letters, emails, text messages, social media posts
  • Interviews
  • Speeches
  • Records of, or materials published by, an organization
    • Meeting agendas and minutes
    • Brochures, fliers, mailings, novelties
    • Programs, posters
  • Works of Fiction & Non-fiction
    • Novels, poems, plays, screenplays
    • Self-help, textbooks, religious texts, travel guides
  • Manuscript collections (documents with hand-written notes)

Serials

  • Magazine or journal article
  • Newspaper article for a specific event or date
  • Newspaper, magazine, or newsletter, etc. for a specific region or cultural group

Government Information & Statistics

  • Records of government agencies
    • Congressional information
    • United States Census
  • Public opinion polls
  • Court cases
    • Opinions, briefs, oral arguments
  • Research Data

Images and Sound

  • Photographs
  • Audio recordings
    • Radio programs, podcasts
    • Music
    • Voicemail
  • Video recordings
    • TV shows
    • Feature films & documentaries
    • Home movies
  • Cartoons
  • Advertisements
  • Artwork

Physical Primary Sources

Primary sources can be found almost anywhere, but Libraries and Museums are the institutions we entrust with collecting, housing, and preserving these materials. Here are just a few examples:

Remember, similar examples exist in other geographic regions. Universities and public libraries around the world have special collections. Museums often collect materials relevant to their region.

Digitized Primary Sources

Theatre Synopses and Criticism

You can find synopses of plays & musicals, as well as theatre criticism, in this guide under the Plays & Musicals menu.

Government & Statistical Data

Marriott Library Eccles Library Quinney Law Library