Dictionary of Literary Biography: Twentieth-century American Dramatists v. 7

Prior to the 20th century, American theater was a colonial extension of European drama. With the turn of the century, and the phenomenal rise in the prosperity and population of American cities, an eager theatrical audience began to develop. After Eugene ONeills astonishingly productive period in the 1920s, it was clear that American drama had finally come of age. Since then, the works of such prominent playwrights as Albee, Hellman, Miller, Saroyan and many others, have enriched our countrys culture, making American theater a vital part of the dramatic landscape worldwide. In DLB Volume 7, readers will discover how the lives of these and lesser-known writers played a role in this evolution. Two appendices: Trends in Theatrical Production and Major Regional Theaters, offer additional information on the modern American theater.

78 entries include: Edward Albee, Jules Feiffer, Frank D. Gilroy, John Guare, Lorraine Hansberry, Moss Hart, Lillian Hellman, Langston Hughes, George S. Kaufman, David Mamet, Arthur Miller, William Saroyan, Sam Shepard, Neil Simon, Tennessee Williams and Lanford Wilson.