Table of Contents

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 beginning 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; The emergence of the American actor Joseph Roach; 5. Scenography, stagecraft, and architecture in the American theatre, beginnings to 1870 Mary C. Henderson; 6. Paratheatricals and popular stage entertainment Peter G. Buckley.