The California State Library is offering online resources to help parents, teachers and students. (photo courtesy of the California State Library)

Every public school student and teacher, as well as every individual with a library card, can now access more than 5,000 theater, music and dance performance videos and audio performances, and more than 3,000 world music albums, through their school district and local library.

The video and audio recordings from the Alexander Street platform by ProQuest (part of Clarivate) are the latest addition to the online resources that the California State Library provides to K-12 students. It includes performances from L.A. Theatre Works, Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, music from Smithsonian’s Folkways label and video recordings chronicling music history and cultural change co-created by Grammy award-winner Quincy Jones.

“This helps California put a capital ‘A for Arts’ in the online STEAM resources we’re offering public school students and teachers – and every Californian with a library card,” California State Librarian Greg Lucas said.

The Alexander Street collections include more than 430 full-length audio plays produced by L.A. Theatre Works.

“L.A. Theatre Works is honored to provide teachers and students throughout California the opportunity to deepen their connection and response to the art of drama and performance through our unique database of audio plays,” L.A. Theatre Works founder and producing director Susan Loewenberg said. “These classic masterpieces and contemporary dramas represent the best of American and world theater performed by our most distinguished screen and stage actors, and provide compelling content that illuminates issues across disciplines. Whether studying English or science, mathematics or social studies, students and teachers will find plays that enliven their understanding of a subject.”

Examples of performances from other California arts organizations and artists that are part of the collections include video performances from the Los Angeles Symphony and San Francisco Opera; international dance recordings produced from Berkeley; jazz performances, video and international music audio recorded in California; and lectures on acting technique from California-based professionals.

The State Library has provided free online tools for California students and teachers since 2018. To access resources, email [email protected] or visit library.ca.gov.