Citing and referencing: Live Performances

A guide to the styles recommended by Monash schools and departments for students and researchers

Live Performances

A live performance

Format

Title of Performance, directed by First Name Last Name, performance by First Name Last Name, Date of Performance, Theatre/venue, Location.

Examples

Embrace: Guilt Frame, directed by Tess de Quincy and Peter Snow, performance by Tess de Quincy and Peter Snow, 2 Dec. 2009, Carlton Courthouse, Melbourne.

Electra. By Sophocles, translated by Anne Carson, directed by Adena Jacobs, performance by Zahra Newman, Jane Griffiths, Luisa Hastings Edge, Gary Abrahams, Karen Sibbing and Josh Price, 5 Dec. 2010, The Dog Theatre, Footscray. 

Princess Dramas. By Elfriede Jelinek, translated by Gitta Honegger, directed by Andre Bastian, performance by Dion Mills, Melodie Reynolds and Andrea Swifte, 8 June 2011, Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Melbourne.

Paul Grabowsky’s New Grooves, performance by Paul Grabowsky, Tamara Murphy and Miles Henry, 29 Aug. 2019, Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts, Clayton.

Farewell Yellow Brick Road, performance by Elton John, 11 Dec. 2019, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne.

Explanation

A reference for a collaborative performance will usually begin with the title. In these examples, the author, the director, and the lead performers appear in the “Other contributors” position. 

If present, provide the name of the company presenting the work where you usually write the publisher's name, then the date of the performance, and the location.

 

A performance citing contribution of a particular individual

Format

Last Name, First Name, performer. Title of Play/Performance, directed by First Name Last Name, Date of performance, Theatre/Venue, Location.

Examples

Porter, Susie, performer. The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, directed by Ray Lawler and Neil Armfield, 24 Sept. 2011, Belvoir Street Theatre Company, Sydney.

Griffiths, Jane, performer. Elektra. By Sophocles, translated by Anne Carson, directed by Adena Jacobs, 5 Dec. 2010, The Dog Theatre, Footscray.

Explanation

If your discussion of the work focuses on the contribution of a particular person, begin the entry with that person’s name and a description of their contribution. Other contributors are displayed after the title of the performance.

If present, provide the name of the company presenting the work where you usually write the publisher's name, then the date of the performance, and the location.

 

Theatre or concert program

Format

Program for Title at Theatre, Location, Year.

Examples

Program for First Time in Boston. Performance by New York Philharmonic, conducted by Gustav Mahler, at Symphony Hall, Boston, 1910.

Program for The Boy from Oz at the Arts Centre, Melbourne, 1998.

Explanation

Begin with a description of the program as the title and include any important identifying information in the description, such as the name of the theatre where the performance took place and its location. Then provide the name of the program’s publisher and the publication date.

In the example above, the name of the conductor was included because it is significant to the discussion. If instead the author and publisher of the program are listed, include their names.