Continuing the innovation of the widely adopted first edition, the new edition excels in comprehensive coverage of world theatre from the Greeks to the present, adding as well a new unit on classical Japanese theatre and additional plays from medieval England, Jacobean theatre, the Golden Age Spanish theatre, and plays from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Diverse thematic materials and essential critical and learning apparatus are expanded also with "Aside" boxes on interesting topics. The 46 plays include strong representation of women and African-American playwrights and an exceptional collection of contemporary plays from around the world. "Critical Contexts" at the end of each unit provide unparalleled support material exploring the literary, cultural, and social contexts of the plays.
William B. Worthen has a Ph.D., English literature from the Princeton University and a B.A., summa cum laude, English literature from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He has published a number of works with focus on: Drama and performance studies, Modern drama and performance, Shakespeare. He has received numerous awards and grants.