Theater

Collection Development Policy Statement

Library's Collection Development Objectives

LSU Libraries seek to support teaching and research in theatrical arts throughout the university community. This includes providing material and support for faculty research, as well as for undergraduate majors and graduate programs in Theatre. The policy seeks primarily to support the curriculum of the Department of Theatre, however, there are numerous related courses of study spanning multiple departments (English, Comparative Literature, Speech Communication, and Women's and Gender Studies, for example), which the library also supports through its collections. Undergraduates from all colleges will make use of these materials in fulfilling their general education requirements.

Curriculum Program Descriptions

LSU offers the B.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Theatre and the M.F.A. with either an acting or directing emphasis. The department provides a strong background for specialization as artists or scholars in theatre, as well as for other professional vocations. The department also provides a cultural resource for the University and an opportunity for students majoring in other areas to participate in theatre productions.

The department places emphasis on both scholarship and production, with training in acting, directing, design, technology, theatre history, dramatic literature, and theory and criticism. The professional actor training program is organized in a conservatory structure and offers the M.F.A. degree. A similar M.F.A. program with a major in directing is also available. The Ph.D. program trains students in theatre scholarship and encourages a knowledge of theatre history and dramatic literature that is complemented by an awareness of recent theoretical trends and the wider role of performance in culture.

There are currently more than 55 undergraduate courses offered in the Theatre curriculum. Several of these fulfill general education requirements for any undergraduate student. More than 50 graduate-level courses are offered by the department.

There are currently 12 graduate faculty in the Department, along with 2 research and production associates.

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Areas of Specialization and Faculty Research

• Acting and actor training
• Criticism and theory
• Costume design
• Gender and theatre
• History of theatre
• Playwriting
• Production and directing
• Public spectacle, festival, folk performance
• Scenic design

Treatment of Subject Depth / Delimitations

LSU Libraries generally attempt to collect in the areas of theatre history and production at the level of instructional support. Some level of research support is provided for the areas noted above. Collecting is primarily of in-print mongraphs published in the U.S., Great Britain, Canada, and very selectively from Europe. Play scripts are collect selectively, primarily in the English language. Periodicals and reference works are collected selectively. The Special Collections of LSU Libraries (Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections and Rare Books) will collect more extensively in the literature, customs, and folkways of Louisiana and the South.

CD ROMs, Electronic Books, Remotely Accessed Texts

LSU Libraries will purchase CD ROM works on a case by case basis when requested by faculty members or graduate students in need of enhanced capabilities afforded by CD ROMs. The LSU Libraries recognizes that electronic information, e-books, electronic paper, etc. merit attention. The purchase of access to remote data and texts, such as J-STOR and others, will be pursued when the ownership of remote products will benefit the greatest number of students, staff, and faculty at the best possible price. Purchase of remotely accessed texts must follow the policy and procedures set forth in Procedures for Acquiring and Processing Electronic Resources.

Overlap with Other Subjects or Collections

Some aspects of the following areas may have relevance to the faculty and curriculum of the Department of Theatre:

• Anthropology and folklore
• Comparative literature
• Design
• English literature
• Film studies
• Folklore
• Foreign languages and Francophone studies
• History
• Philosophy
• Religious studies
• Speech communication
• Women's and gender studies

Classed Analysis

Prepared: January 15, 1998
Updated: March 25, 2003