This is the first of two volumes of documents which describe the growth and development of theatre in the United States. The first volume covers the period from the beginnings of theatre in the North American colonies up to the First World War. With such an abundance of primary documents to consult, the editors have focused on three specific ‘tensions’ which have created and sustained American theatre: commercial versus artistic values; urban versus regional theatre; and the controversy over what is American and what is ‘foreign’ or imported. The volume is organised in three chronological sections, each with its own introduction. The documents and commentary are arranged into chapters on business practice, acting, theatre buildings, drama, design, and audience behaviour. Written sources include records of business transactions, letters, newspaper reports, reviews, memoirs, and architectural descriptions. There are also numerous pictorial items.