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LibGuides

Citing Sources in the Performing Arts

Recordings and Performances in MLA Style

Below, you will see examples of recordings and performances cited in the MLA style. For more information on how to read these examples, see the Getting Started page of this LibGuide (see the tabs to the left.)

Examples of Recordings and Performances

Example Item

This refers to when you are citing the performance itself; if you are citing a specific recording of a performance, use the appropriate format as seen in the other tabs in this box.


Bibliography

TEMPLATE:

Name of creator of the performed work. Title of the performed work. Directed by Director, performed by performers, date of performance, venue of performance.

 

EXAMPLE:

Shaw, George Bernard. Heartbreak House. Directed by Robin Lefevre, performances by Philip Bosco and Swoosie Kurtz, Roundabout Theatre Company, 1 Oct. 2006, American Airlines Theatre, New York.


In-Text Citation

TEMPLATE:

(Last Name of Creator)

 

EXAMPLE:

(Shaw)


See Also: MLA Handbook 5.3-5.22 - Author Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 5.23-5.30 - Title of Source Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 5.31-5.37 - Title of Container Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 6.3-6.30 - In-Text Citations: What to Include and How to Style It

Example Item


Bibliography

TEMPLATE:

"Title of Episode." Title of Podcast from Name of Podcast Creator, Date of Episode, link to the episode.

 

EXAMPLE:

“Best of Not My Job Musicians.” Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! from NPR, 4 June 2016, www.npr.org/podcasts/344098539/wait-wait-don-t-tell-me.


In-Text Citation

TEMPLATE:

("Title of Episode (abbreviate if appropriate)")

 

EXAMPLE:

("Best")


See Also: MLA Handbook 5.3-5.22 - Author Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 5.23-5.30 - Title of Source Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 5.31-5.37 - Title of Container Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 6.3-6.30 - In-Text Citations: What to Include and How to Style It

Example Item


Bibliography

TEMPLATE:

Artist. "Title of Track" (if talking about a particular track and not the entire album). Album, performed by Name of Performers (if different from the artist), Record Label, Year. Spotify, Spotify link.

 

EXAMPLE:

Lizzo. "Birthday Girl". Cuz I Love You (Deluxe), Nice Life / Atlantic, 2019, Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/album/1NgFBv1PxMG1zhFDW1OrRr?si=zaSwjgrGQi6CxBiQ9MBKZw.


In-Text Citation

TEMPLATE:

(Last Name of Creator)

 

EXAMPLE:

(Lizzo)


See Also: MLA Handbook 5.3-5.22 - Author Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 5.23-5.30 - Title of Source Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 5.31-5.37 - Title of Container Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 6.3-6.30 - In-Text Citations: What to Include and How to Style It

Example Item

If the author is not known, simply omit that field when citing these types of sources.


Bibliography

TEMPLATE:

Author last name, Author first name. "Title of Video." YouTube, uploaded by Name of Uploading Channel, date uploaded, URL.

 

EXAMPLE:

McGonigal, Jane. “Gaming and Productivity.” YouTube, uploaded by Big Think, 3 July 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkdzy9bWW3E.


In-Text Citation

TEMPLATE:

(Last Name of Creator)

 

EXAMPLE:

(McGonigal)


See Also: MLA Handbook 5.3-5.22 - Author Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 5.23-5.30 - Title of Source Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 5.31-5.37 - Title of Container Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 6.3-6.30 - In-Text Citations: What to Include and How to Style It

Example Item


Bibliography

TEMPLATE:

Composer Name. Title of DVD. Performance information including conductor, director, and performers, Publisher, Year, Format.

 

EXAMPLE:

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus. Don Giovanni. Conducted by Ferenc Fricsay, directed by Carl Ebert, performed with the Chorus and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Arthaus Musik, 2011, DVD.


In-Text Citation

TEMPLATE:

(Last Name of Creator)

 

EXAMPLE:

(Mozart)


See Also: MLA Handbook 5.3-5.22 - Author Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 5.23-5.30 - Title of Source Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 5.31-5.37 - Title of Container Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 6.3-6.30 - In-Text Citations: What to Include and How to Style It

Example Item


Bibliography

TEMPLATE:

Artist. "Title of Track" (if talking about a particular track and not the entire album). Album, performed by Name of Performers (if different from the artist), Record Label, Year, URL if the work is accessed electronically.

 

EXAMPLE:

Beyoncé. “Pray You Catch Me.” Lemonade, Parkwood Entertainment, 2016, www.beyonce.com/album/lemonade-visual-album/.


In-Text Citation

TEMPLATE:

(Last Name of Creator)

 

EXAMPLE:

(Beyoncé)


See Also: MLA Handbook 5.3-5.22 - Author Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 5.23-5.30 - Title of Source Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 5.31-5.37 - Title of Container Element in Works Cited
MLA Handbook 6.3-6.30 - In-Text Citations: What to Include and How to Style It

Example Item

Bibliography

TEMPLATE:

Author of the liner notes Lastname, Firstname. “Title of Material (if any).” Description of the material if no title. Title of Recording. Other Artist(s). Publisher/Record label, Year. Format or medium of recording.

EXAMPLE:

Clapton, Eric. “Discovering Robert Johnson.” Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings, Columbia, 1990. Booklet accompanying CD.

EXAMPLE (Untitled Liner Notes)

Race, Steve. Liner notes. Time Out, by Dave Brubeck Quartet, Columbia Records, 1959.


See also: MLA Handbook - Citation Examples (Appendix 2)