Volume 1: Introduction Christopher Bigsby and Don B. Wilmeth; Timeline: beginnings to 1870: compiled by Don B. Wilmeth and Jonathan Curley; 1. American theatre in context from the beginnings to 1870 Bruce McConachie; 2. Structure and management in the American theatre from the beginning to 1870 Douglas McDermott; 3. The plays and playwrights: plays and playwrights to 1800 Peter A. Davis; Plays and playwrights: 1800–1865 Gary A. Richardson; 4. The actors: European actors and the star system in the American theatre 1752–1870 Simon Williams; 5. The emergence of the American actor Joseph Roach; 6. Scenography, stagecraft and architecture in the American theatre, beginnings to 1870 Mary C. Henderson; 7. Paratheatricals and popular stage entertainment Peter G. Buckley. Volume 2: Introduction Christopher Bigsby and Don B. Wilmeth; Timeline: 1870–1945: compiled by Don B. Wilmeth and Jonathan Curley; 1.The hieroglyphic state: American theatre and society, post Civil War to 1945 Thomas Postlewait; 2. A changing theatre: New York and beyond John Frick; 3. The plays and playwrights: Civil War to 1896 Tice L. Miller; Plays and playwrights: 1896–1915 Ronald Wainscott; Plays and playwrights: 1915–1945 Brenda Murphy; 4. Theatre groups and their playwrights Mark Fearnow; 5. Popular entertainment Brooks McNamara; 6. Musical theatre Thomas Riis; 7. Actors and acting Daniel J. Watermeier; 8. Scenography, stagecraft, and architecture Mary C. Henderson; 9. Directors and direction Warren Kliewer. Volume 3: List of illustrations; List of contributors; Preface; Ackowledgements; Introduction Christopher Bigsby; Timeline: Post-World War II to 1998 compiled by Don B. Wilmeth and Jonathan Curley; 1. American theatre in context: 1945–present Arnold Aronson; 2. A changing theatre: Broadway to the regions: Broadway Laurence Maslon; Off and Off-Off Broadway Mel Gussow; Regional/Resident theatre Martha LoMonaco; Alternative theatre Marvin Carlson; 3. The plays and playwrights: Plays and playwrights: 1945–1970 June Schlueter; American drama since 1970 Matthew Roudane; 4. Musical theatre since World War II John Degen; 5. Directors and directions Samuel L. Leiter; 6. Actors and acting Foster Hirsch; 7. American theatre design since 1945 Ronn Smith; Bibliography; Index.