Discover how and why users love Drama Online below. For more detail on ways in which lecturers are using Drama Online and how it has transformed teaching, take a look at our case studies.
Drama Online is an invaluable resource for students and scholars focusing on dramatic texts and performance. Its video content is unrivalled, featuring three National Theatre collections, another two from Shakespeare's Globe on Screen, and impressive collections of Asian and North American production; its Core Collection of dramatic texts from antiquity to present day guarantee its capacity for supporting experiential, in-class learning as my students are able to access and even adapt texts according to their accessibility needs; and now, with the launch of the Theatre and Performance History collection, Drama Online is an irreplaceable tool that as a researcher, I cannot do without.
Dr. Amanda Di Ponio, Assistant Professor, English and Cultural Studies, Huron University College
From the time I first saw Drama Online...I was impressed by the software platform and how easy it was to understand and use, and I could see that the content of the database would be useful to our students. Later, while writing a review of the database, I had full use of all its contents and explored all of its features. This close examination convinced me of the quality of the database and its potential usefulness to my library's users.
Leanna Goodwater, Humanities Librarian, Santa Clara University
I’ve enjoyed using the National Theatre Collection in my classes at Spartanburg Community College. Prior to the pandemic, I always had my classes go see local live theatre, but having the professional productions available online have been an amazing resource for my students when physically going to a play is not always possible. The videos are easy to upload to my Learning Management System for students to access on their own time. I’ve been able to use several of the videos in different courses. My English Composition II students have written Drama Critiques of Frankenstein and explored the literary elements of the play. Additionally, my Introduction to Humanities students have used Treasure Island as the basis for their Performing Arts Critique. Lastly, my Introduction to Theatre students read Twelfth Night, and then they write a Theatre Review of the NT production. The modern day Shakespeare adaptation is well done, and they enjoy the connection of the Early Modern play to current societal issues. We also discuss some of the additional Twelfth Night videos featuring the director and actors who make the themes and production choices come to life for the students. Overall, I have been extremely pleased with the quality of the productions and how well they have worked in my classes.
Instructor at Spartanburg Community College, South Carolina
A fantastic resource for us as a drama school . . . the Character Grid and Monologue facility is a massive time-saver for all of us who are constantly looking for and choosing plays that will work for large groups. It gets a big yes from me.
Simon Hunt, Head of BA Physical Theatre, East 15 Acting School, University of Essex, UK
Drama Online is one of the best expressions to date of digital literary studies. What a terrific resource this is for students, teachers, theatre practitioners, and the general reader. As far as Shakespeare is concerned it will show us the human endeavour that made him possible and the subsequent drama his works continue to inspire.
Dr Paul Edmondson, Head of Research and Knowledge, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, UK
I am amazed and delighted to learn about Drama Online. Surely this is the best expression to date of the digital revolution as far as literary studies are concerned.
Rachel White, Information Consultant, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
This is a fantastic facility. It’s simple to use, brings up research results very quickly – perfect when time is of the essence, when searching for that "specific" play or monologues, or practitioner/playwright.
Phillip Weaver, Head of BA Acting, East 15 Acting School, University of Essex, UK
Drama Online is an invaluable resource for my students, staff and me. It allows us to access such a wealth of treasured texts in an instant. I anticipate this being a major reference area for us going forward.
Professor Jeff Janisheski, Department Chair, Theatre Arts, California State University Long Beach, US
The exceptional range of material available is unparalleled. Plays will be permanently available – no stock problem or waiting. Drama Online represents a saving of time, money and patience as well as being a portal to exciting possibilities of plays old and new.
Andrea Brooks, Head MA Acting, University of Essex, UK, Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA)
A ground-breaking digital resource that makes available a vast library of plays and reference works while offering bespoke features tailored to the needs of individual students and researchers. Drama Online blazes the trail for a new era of digital theatre publishing.
Dr Chris Megson, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
With instant search access to quite literally thousands of plays and reference works, Drama Online has become the essential site for all theatre and performance-related materials.
Professor Geoffrey Colman, Head of Acting, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, UK
A great resource to recommend to students for scene study/acting classes/contextual studies research.
Dr Chris Main, Head of Programmes, Southend, University of Essex, UK
Drama Online is a FANTASTIC resource – SO important, especially to BA World Performance because we use such a wide range of material.
Dr Margaret Coldiron, Deputy Head of BA World Performance, University of Essex, UK
Drama Online – curated by some of the wisest publishers in the business – sets the stage for a new generation of readers, writers, and thespians to not only find, but also actively work with plays. It is a new, exciting way to engage with the stage, while never losing sight of the treasured heritage of theater and the performing arts. As a college English instructor, I can tell that this resource will be a goldmine.
Michael Arnzen, Professor of English, Seton Hill University, US
Bloomsbury Publishing and Faber and Faber create something unique with Drama Online. By combining the resources of Methuen Drama, Arden Shakespeare and the Faber catalogue in a single website that provides filtered browsing and powerful search and navigation capabilities, Drama Online becomes the first stop of choice for drama teachers, students, scholars and practitioners. This is a brilliantly thought through and executed digital library providing both the opportunity of finding exactly what you are looking for and the possibility of encountering an unexpected revelation.
Richard Brestoff, Head of Acting, Professor of Drama, UC, Irvine, US
