A Timeline of Western Drama: Scripts from the Classic Period to the 21st Century presents plays ranging from the ancient to the contemporary. Each of the selected plays not only tells a story, but also offers a glimpse into its historic period and reveals the development of theatre as an art form.

The collected plays are representative of their place, time, and cultures. Students have the opportunity to explore the work of Sophocles in Oedipus the King, Christopher Marlowe in Doctor Faustus, and William Shakespeare in Much Ado About Nothing, among others. The text also features the plays of Moliere, Ibsen, and Chekhov. Modern playwrights include Tennessee Williams, and Paula Vogel. The addition of Sarah Ruhl's Eurydice brings the collection full circle.

Original source material in the text informs readers about both the history of theatre and the practice, and discussion questions facilitate interpretation and a deeper understanding of each play. A Timeline of Western Drama is designed for introductory courses in theatre and drama.