This unique three-volume history covers all aspects of American theatre from plays and playwrights, through actors and acting, to theatre groups and directors. Each volume includes an extensive overview and timeline followed by chapters on specific aspects of American theatre. List of illustrations vii Contributors ix Preface and acknowledgments xiii Introduction 1(19) Christopher Bigsby Don B. Wilmeth Timeline: Beginnings to 1870 20(91) Don B. Wilmeth Jonathan Curley American Theatre in Context, from the Beginnings to 1870 111(71) Bruce Mcconachie Structure and Management in the American Theatre from the Beginning to 1870 182(34) Douglas Mcdermott The Plays and Playwrights 216(87) Plays and Playwrights to 1800 216(34) Peter A. Davis Plays and Playwrights: 1800--1865 250(53) Gary A. Richardson The Actors 303(70) European Actors and the Star System in the American Theatre, 1752--1870 303(35) Simon Williams The Emergence of the American Actor 338(35) Joseph Roach Scenography, Stagecraft, and Architecture in the American Theatre 373(51) Beginnings to 1870 373(51) Mary C. Henderson Paratheatricals and Popular Stage Entertainment 424(59) Peter G. Buckley Bibliography 483(24) Index 507