Reference Resources in Dance
 

Note:  This guide is current as of December 2006.  Additional useful titles may be found in other locations throughout the library.  To assure the most up to date information please consult the online catalog at  libcat.wichita.edu or the subject specialist.


International Encyclopedia of Dance  REF GV1585.I586 1998

In 6 volumes, find here lengthy articles on dancers, choreographers, composers, companies, theaters, countries, techniques, theatrical dance titles and other issues of dance (i.e., television, dance medicine, etc.).  This encyclopedia focuses on three major areas of dance: Western theatrical dance, theatrical dance in the non-Western world and ritual and recreational forms of dance.  These volumes cover all styles and types of dance with bibliographies at the ends of articles.  Volume 6 contains an index to access topics within articles on broader subjects.

 

Oxford Dictionary of Dance   REF GV1585.C78 2000

Contains concise entries for works, themes, forms, companies, people, places and technical terminology.  Emphasizes theatrical dancing but also covers ballet, modern, folk and social dancing.  Sometimes provides reference to associated works.

 

Concise Oxford Dictionary of Ballet  (2nd edition)   REF GV1585.C73 1982

Focusing on ballet, contains concise entries for works, themes, companies, institutions, awards, people, places and techniques, often including selected works lists.  Previous edition on the 3rd floor.

 

International Dictionary of Ballet   REF GV1585.I57 1993

In 2 volumes, this contains extensive entries on artists, ballets and companies related to classical ballet.  Work (ballet) entries list the choreographer, composer, designer, along with initial production information and other notable productions.  Artist entries contain a list of roles.  Choreographer and composer entries contain works lists.  A bibliography is found at the end of each article. 

 

Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology  REF GV1585.R95 1997

A reference to the current ballet terminology in use within the Royal Academy of Dancing.  This also lists variant terms found throughout Royal Academy publications.

 

The Ballet Plot Index   REF GV1790.A1 S77 1987

This is an index to stories/synopsis and other related materials (i.e., illustrations, historical background, criticism and analysis) to ballets.  Where applicable, annotated with WSU Libraries call numbers in the list of indexed sources.

 

The Dance Handbook  REF GV1601.R63 1990

Covering classical ballet and western theatrical dance, this contains articles on major dancers, choreographers, companies and dance works.  Many articles contain a bibliography for further reading.  Use the index in the back to locate information on a particular subject or name.

 

Dance Words  REF GV1585.P74 1995

Consult this title for definitions, expressions and phrases, organized by context. For example ‘Aerial work’ may be found in the chapter on The Dance Domain and the chapter on Movement and the Moving Body.  Use the index in the back to locate the desired term or phrase.

 

Dance Magazine Annual Directory   REF GV1580.D247

Latest edition only in reference section. 

Address/contact information for companies, agents, artists, composers, presenters, choreographers, teachers, colleges and universities, somatic practices, festivals and venues, designers, consultants, libraries and archives, service organizations, along with funding information and other resources.

Past issues on the 3rd floor (formerly known as Stern’s Directory).

 

Biographical Dictionary of Dance  REF GV1785.A1 C58 1982

This work contains entries on dance (all types) personalities, current and historical, in Europe and the Americas.  Most articles contain a works list.

 

Film Choreographers and Dance Directors  REF GV1779.B55 1997

About “the people who made the movies dance,” part I is a decade by decade look at dance in film, while part II is a section of biographies (with film credits). Covers 1893 through 1995.  An appendix lists films and their associated choreographers.

 

Directory of Blacks in the Performing Arts  REF PN1590.B53 M3 1990

This title contains brief biographical information along with career data for those involved in drama, music, and dance.  Previous edition on the 2nd floor.

 

Dictionary of the Avant-Gardes  REF NX456.K67 2000

This work covers not only the visual arts but music, film, dance and theater.  Though rather brief, articles include bibliographies for further reading.  This is the second edition of this work.  An earlier version is available on the 2nd  floor.

 

Arts in America: A Bibliography  REF NX503.A77 1979

A product of the Smithsonian Institution, this 4 volume annotated bibliography covers art of Native Americans, architecture, decorative arts, design, sculpture, art of the west, painting, graphic arts and artists, photography, film, theater, dance, and  music.  Volume 4 provides an index.

 

Dictionary of the Arts  REF NX80.D53 1994

This dictionary of culture (including biographical entries) covers architecture, artistic theory, film, literature, craft, design, dance, fashion, music, mythology, painting, photography, sculpture and theatre, all throughout history.

 

Who was who in American History Arts and Letters  REF NX503.Z8 W48

This is an additionally helpful place to search for biographical information on those of the past who were involved throughout the arts.

 

Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance  REF NX512.3.A35 E53 2004

This 2 volume encyclopedia covers all areas of the arts associated with the Harlem Renaissance.  Contains particularly useful bibliographies and a helpful index.

 

The Oxford Guide to Classical Mythology in the Arts, 1300-1990s  REF NX650.M9 R45 1993

In 2 volumes this is an index to artworks (in the fine arts, music, dance and literature) from the Renaissance through the 20th century with subjects in Greek and Roman mythology.  Main entries are found under their Greek titles, with cross-references from Roman names.  Volume 2 also contains an index to artists with works listed in main entries.

 

Dictionary of Translated Names and Titles  REF  NX80.R66 1986

Titles of artistic creations (plays, novels, films, musical works, paintings, and etc.), characters (historical and mythical), biblical personages, historical events and geographical names, are here given in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian, with cross-indices in French, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian. 

 

Stage Deaths  REF Z5781.S76 1991

In 2 volumes, this title covers essential biographical information for international artists of the stage including opera, dance, music, theater, film and television personalities.  Entries include the artist’s stage name, alias or billing name (where applicable), real name, names of parents, name of spouse(s), date and place of birth, date and place of death, type(s) or work done, source(s) of obituaries, and any book-length biographies in English.

 

 

Electronic databases provide indexing and full text access to the contents of journals and news sources.  There is no single electronic source to consult in the area of dance but several cross-disciplinary options are available through the library’s subscription.  Please find live links through the library web pages.  For instruction on accessing the following from an off-campus location consult this: handy guide.

 

Databases to consult for indexing and full-text articles on DANCE:

Academic One File

Article First

Custom Newspapers (Particularly for access to San Francisco Papers and an alternative search to the New York Times)

Informe!  (for articles in Spanish)

JSTOR (for full text articles, but not without coverage for the last 5-7 years)
LexisNexis Academic  (Use a Guided Search for news based articles – particularly good for the New York Times full text and news transcripts)

NewsBank (very good for local coverage – the Wichita Eagle)

Project Muse

Business & Company (use the “Advanced” search option)

ABI/Inform (Proquest)
Village Voice (access through the catalog)

 

Use General Paper (Print) Indexes (for older material not covered in the electronic sources above):

New York Times Index  REF AI21.N44

Reader’s Guide Index to Periodicals  REF AI3.R47
 

For additional resources see: Dance Sources on the Web, and the WSU online catalog, or consult the subject librarian.

 


 


Updated: March 23, 2007    Contact: Rachel Crane, Music/Fine Arts Librarian