African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Wallace Thurman
This site includes the author's credits as an editor and playwright, a biography, and links to three of his books.
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Edward Albee
Biography of Edward Albee, American playwright and Pullitzer and Tony award honoree who wrote, Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, among other notable works. Students can read about Edward Albee's life and listen to interviews.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Latino Americans Share Their Experiences
Young scholars examine the challenges that three Latino Americans faced and overcame as they achieved success in their careers. This interactive lesson plan introduces students to playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, actor Judy Reyes, and...
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Eugene O'neill
From the PBS series, American Masters, this is the biography of American playwright Eugene O'Neill.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Poetry of Liberation: Amiri Baraka
Poet and playwright Amiri Baraka is featured in this brief biography for his radical views and contributions during the Black Arts Movement in America. See "Amiri Baraka Activities" for related resources.
PBS
Pbs American Masters: Gore Vidal
PBS chronicles the life of the novelist and playwright Gore Vidal. Take a look at the career timeline and watch videotaped interviews. RealPlayer plugin required.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Southern Renaissance: Thomas Wolfe
Thomas Wolfe is presented in this brief biography, highlighting his writings which exemplified the American culture of the 1920's-1930's. Click on "Thomas Wolfe Activities" for related resources.
Library of Congress
Loc: American Memory: Yiddish Language Playscripts
How Yiddish theater developed in America. Connects to 77 manuscripts. Links to the Yiddish playwrights.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Arthur Miller
Arthur Miller is presented in this biography for his plays revolving around post-World War II America, paying particular attention to the middle class and effects of Communism. See "Arthur Miller Activities" for related materials.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Modernist Portraits: Susan Glaspell
Susan Glaspell is featured in this brief biography for her literary contributions as author and playwright focusing on the role of women in American society in the early twentieth century. See "Susan Glaspell Activities" for related...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: The Search for Identity: David Mamet
Playwright David Mamet is featured for his brilliant use of language in his writings believing that our words and the manner they are spoken depict our identity. See "David Mamet Activities" for extra resources.
PBS
Pbs: The American Novel: Literary Timeline: Authors: James Baldwin
Brief biography of American novelist and playwright James Baldwin.
PBS
Pbs: American Master: Tennessee Williams
This resource contains a lesson plan on the plays of Tennessee Williams from the American Masters Series. Also contains state standards.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Community and Culture, Making of African American Identity: V. 3
An attempt to define community as a shared culture. In this article and review, critic, poet, and playwright Larry Neal (1937-1981) applies the principles of self-determination espoused by Stokely Carmichael and others to the arts and...
University of Virginia
Explorations in Black Leadership: Amiri Baraka
A short biography of African American writer Amiri Baraka and an interview with him conducted by Julian Bond available in video download or script format. With insight into influential people in his life, career development, influence of...
Other
Marvin X
Marvin X, a Black male playwright, was active in the Black arts movement. This biography begins at the point of his theatre activity, the 60's. The article is introduced by Marvin's winning smile, and is followed by a complete account of...
TheatreHistory.com
Theatre History: William Vaughn Moody
This is a short biography of the great American playwright William Vaughn Moody (1869-1910 CE). A synopsis of his most famous play, The Great Divide, can be found through a link at the bottom of the page.
Miami University
Native American Women Playwrights Archives: Judy Lee Oliva
This site gives a listing of JudyLee Oliva's plays and publications. You can click on the link "Synopsis", and a page will come up with a description of the different plays.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Shay Youngblood
This site includes a brief biography of Shay YoungBlood, a video clip [5:34] of "Shay Youngblood reading from Black Girl in Paris at the Dent" and links to three of her works.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Eugene O'neill
This site, which is provided for in the "From Revolution to Reconstruction" section of the University of Groningen, gives a biography of O'Neill in terms of his works.
Black Past
Black Past: Baraka, Amiri
This is a very brief encyclopedia entry about Amiri Baraka, born as Everett Leroi Jones. He is an impassioned poet and playwright who wrote about the black racial identity. A link to a website for more information is provided.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Langston Hughes
Poet laureate Langston Hughes is featured in this brief biography highlighting his vast collection of writings, particularly his poetry, which drew upon racial and self awareness in America. See "Langston Hughes Activities" for related...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Anna Deavere Smith
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Anna Deavere Smith, an American playwright, actress, author, journalist, and educator, who was best known for her one-woman plays that examined the social issues behind current events.
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Molnar, Ferenc
A good, comprehensive biography Ferenc Molnar, the "Hungarian-American playwright, director, novelist, short-story writer, and journalist."