How to Cite a Play in MLA Format
Writers cite their sources to show that any borrowed ideas are not their own. Citations also aid the reader in finding additional information closer to the source. A variety of formats or styles exist to accommodate many types of writing and different disciplines. MLA format, which is short for Modern Language Association, is used frequently for writing in the humanities, especially literature.
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Instructions
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1
Type the title of the play in italics, followed by a period. Type "By," followed by the playwright's name and a period.
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2
Type "Dir." and follow it with the director's name and a period.
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3
Type "Perf." and follow it with the top-billed actor and/or actress name or names, followed by a period.
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4
List the name of the theater, followed by a comma and the city. Add the state, too, spelled out, if the city name is not unique.
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5
List the date of the performance you are citing, followed by a period. The day comes first, then a three-letter abbreviation for the month and then the year--for example, "30 Mar. 1963." Place a period after the month abbreviation and do not put a comma within the date.
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Type the word "Performance," followed by a period.
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Tips & Warnings
Use the proper punctuation. These seemingly miniscule marks cue the reader about what kind of information is listed.
If you are citing a printed version (book) of a play rather than a performance, use the typical MLA book citation format: Author. Title of play in italics. Place of publication: Name of publisher, year. Medium of publication. (The medium of publication would probably be "Print" unless you're reading it online. Compare this to "Performance" at the end of the first example.)
There could be exceptions to this format. Check the current copy of the "MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing" or the "MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers" for more information.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit writing image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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Example: The title of the play should be italicized. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. By, Tom Stoppard. Dir. Jimmy McCammon, Iona Swift. Perf. Micah Cone, Tucker Braga, Jimmy McCammon. Nevada City Theater, Nevada City, California. 17 Sep. 2011. Performance.
