Asian American Drama brings together more than 250 plays, along with related biographical, production, and theatrical information.

The collection begins with the works of Sadakichi Hartmann in the late nineteenth century and is planned to include contemporary playwrights such as Philip Kan Gotanda, Elizabeth Wong, and Jeannie Barroga.

In the late nineteenth century, when Asian American drama made its debut, the emphasis was on the lives and struggles of Asians in North America, rather than on the cultures and traditions of the Asian homeland. Today, Asian American playwrights continue to challenge established theatrical conventions by calling attention to issues and experiences that might otherwise be ignored or marginalized. The plays have relevance well beyond the study of literature, drama, and Asian American studies. They present views of important historical events, such as the construction of the railroads in the nineteenth century, the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, and the Vietnam conflict. The plays also address sociological issues, such as assimilation, integration, and cultural identity in a Western context.

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