Wikipedia gets Music Theatre makeover

According to an article in the New York Times, a six hour “editathon” at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts will be taking place on Saturday October 22 to “improve Wikipedia’s musical-theater-related entries using the library’s special collections.”

Anyone with a lap top and investigative skills have been encouraged to come to the library as part of Wikipedia Loves Libraries events happening across the United States in October.

Emphasis is set to be placed on improving wikipedia content related to musicals and music theatre through the hard copy resources found at the Library of Performing Arts.

The library’s website has stated: “Advanced wiki editing skills not required; passion for performing arts and musical theatre highly recommended!” If you have ever searched for information on obscure musicals, theatre practitioners, theatres themselves and Broadway history on wikipedia and have come up short, be sure to try again!

Fingers crossed this initiative takes advantage of the extensive resources found in the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and brings some little known facts to life on the world wide web for musical enthusiasts the world over.

Perhaps we should start an initiative for an Australian theatre “editathon” for Wikipedia? There seems to be a distinct lack of information on Australian theatre greats like Toni Lamond, Jill Perryman, Nancye Hayes and Tony Sheldon.

Details on our theatres and theatre companies are sketchy, not to mention up and coming writers like Matthew Frank, Dean Bryant, Matthew Robinson, James Millar and Peter Rutherford. What are your thoughts?

Original New York Times Article  New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Website