TMC Library: The Arden School of Theatre and Performing Arts: Online Resources

About Online Resources

The library pays for you to be able to use high quality information collected together into databases. In library research, a database is where you find:

journal articles
images
films, TV and radio programmes
specialist subject information

Each database contains thousands of items which you can search simultaneously and quickly to find the most recent or most relevant information. If the database has a Search icon, you can use the library search tool to find what you need.

Remember, if you can’t find what you are searching for, ask one of the library staff, or if you would like more direct one to one support on library searching or advanced library searching, you can book an appointment with a member of the library team.

Digital Theatre Plus
"It’s important to see as much theatre as possible – unfortunately this can be quite expensive. Digital Theatre Plus is a great resource that has lots of online footage of live performances from the US and UK. It also has some fascinating interviews with internationally renowned practitioners discussing their craft". Rob Owen
Use Digital Theatre Plus for valuable insights from leading theatre folk discussing the theatre world; from rehearsals and dressing rooms to putting on a performance. Find documentaries, interviews and complete performances covering a wide variety of genres. Look out for performances from the worlds of opera, theatre, film, dance and music. View cutting edge shows such as 'Iphigenia in Splott' and 'A Blues for Nia' as well as more traditional performances of Shakespeare and classic plays.
Go to library.tmc.ac.uk/digital-theatre-plus for more information, login instructions and guides to searching Digital Theatre Plus

Drama Online

Drama Online
Drama Online has 2,245 full text plays, including contemporary and traditional texts, many with audio and video. Use play tools to filter individual character's lines. Find out what plays are about using their overviews. Find critical analysis and performance for many leading playwrights and notable plays. Read one of a small collection of theatre craft ebooks.
Search for plays using the genre or period options, i.e. search for avant-garde, in-yer-face, or poor theatre etc.
Use our How-to Guide for login instructions and videos on how to use Drama Online library.tmc.ac.uk/drama-online.

We have received trial access to a new collection of plays on Drama Online. This trial is effective starting today (26.2.25) and will remain available until the end of the day on March 27th.

You can access the content here

Useful Websites

Association of British Theatre Technicians
Website of the Association of British Theatre Technicians
BBC Writers Room
A fantastic resource for those looking to write for the BBC. It included top tips on script writing and information about opportunities and events for writers
Black Plays Archive
National Theatre Black Plays Archives. Includes interviews and essays on Black, British Theatre and a selection of play extracts recorded especially for the archives.
British Voice Association
A group of over 600 multi-disciplinary professionals working to promote the field of voice.
Candoca Dance Company
A contemporary dance company for disabled and non-disabled dancers.
Community Dance
Foundation for Community Dance is the professional organisation for those involved in creating opportunities for people to experience and participate in dance.
Contact Theatre Manchester
Events, theatre, music and workshops at Manchester's Contact Theatre.
Council for Dance Education and Training
Website of Council for Dance Education and Training
Equity
The website of the Equity Actors Union
Monologue Database
A database of monologues from well-known dramatists.
National Centre for Circus Arts
A centre of excellence in the circus arts which offers HE training and professional development.
National Theatre
The website of the National Theatre, London.
Panda Arts
Website of the Performing Arts Network and Development Agency for the North West
Shakespeare's Monologues
Searching Shakespeare's plays for a monologue could not be easier if you use this site
Society of British Theatre Designers (SBTD)
SBTD is a professional organisation run by designers for the benefit of designers. It was created to explore and further the role of the designer within the arts today.
Stage
The famous weekly, acting-oriented trade paper
Stagetext
Stagetext is a registered charity delivering captioned performances and promoting the use of captioning in cultural venues
What's On Stage
Daily news and reviews of English Theatre

Anatomy TV - Primal Pictures

PRIMAL’S 3D HUMAN FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY

Muscle function is brought to life in 3D with this interactive digital resource

Teach, learn and educate learners using human functional anatomy

British Library - Sounds Familiar? Accents and Dialects of the UK

British Library - Sounds Familiar? Accents and Dialects of the UK
Need help developing your accent for a role? The British Library offers an audio resource representing the diversity of spoken English throughout the UK.

Box of Broadcasts
"Without doubt the best resource an acting student can have at their disposal for both research and practical tasks such as finding scenes for screen modules and show reels". Paul Broughton
Search for television or radio programmes recorded since 2007. Record your own broadcasts to view later or share with others. Compile play lists of recordings and save clips of the best bits.
BoB works best if you know the title of the programme you need. Try a search for Cathy Come Home, a landmark 1960s play about homelessness.
Use our Box of Broadcasts How-to Guide to find out more and for login instructions. library.tmc.ac.uk/bob
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Also explore
Moving Image Gateway http://bufvc.ac.uk/gateway/ a catalogue of over 2,000 websites relating to moving image and sound materials. These have been subdivided into over 40 subject areas.
The Researcher's Guide to Screen Heritage http://bufvc.ac.uk/archives/ to search for moving image content, artefacts and sound collections from across the UK