This project is a history of dramatic stage directions, from Greek papyri to the present day. A majority of research tasks during 2009–2010 will focus on the English Renaissance and long eighteenth century, drama in the twentieth century, and copyright law (English and American).

Much of the research for the project consists of classic source investigation: looking through a large number of scripts to help identify and characterize the most and least representative examples for each period. As such, it should be good training for an aspiring scholar, lawyer, designer, scientist, playwright, publisher, or anyone who plans to engage in both research and writing during the course of his or her career.
 
Work will be a mix of challenge and routine: searching though plays, analyzing patterns of development, locating and copying articles, scanning images, obtaining image permissions, researching legal decisions, and research-related correspondence, etc. Practice in editing is an option for those who possess the requisite skills.

The nature of the work calls for a research partner who is analytical, inquisitive, detail oriented, patient, and enjoys the scholarly task of research and analysis. While I hope that my student partner will discover wonderful texts to return to after hours, because of the sheer number of scripts involved, I am looking for someone who is capable of searching through plays without stopping to read each one.
 
No prior knowledge of literature, theater, or law is required. Desirable skills include resourcefulness in tracking down information from diverse sources and databases (training sessions with librarians and technicians are optional but recommended, and hours spent in training are paid as regular work); sensitivity to visual presentation to recognize patterns in how information is conveyed (and to produce attractive as well as legible article and reports); efficiency, independence, and enthusiasm; and the ability to scan and crop high-quality images. Proofreading is a plus. The research partner may come from any background or discipline. Hours are extremely flexible.