Featured Texts

The History of Theatre
by David Timson, Derek Jacobi (Narrator)

Following the success of The History of Opera, Naxos produces the history of drama and the stage from ancient Greece through the twentieth century in an accessible program. With master Derek Jacobi and actors who excerpt from dozens of plays as guides, the listener is treated to a fascinating chronicle for students, aficionados--and even anyone with a passing interest in history or theater. Jacobi illuminates the cultural heritage surrounding each period in a style both grand and approachable. David Timson's text is rich and involving. The linear sequence is tracked on the CD version, and the excellent liner notes to the plays, the excerpts, and the music round out this significant program. R.F.W. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Into the Story: Language in Action through Drama

Carole Miller and Juliana Saxton's new book for drama educators has just been published by Heinemann.  It is called Into the Story: Language in Action through Drama.  This text is for all classroom teachers for whom literacy is an important part of the curriculum.  "Into the Story offers lessons that engage students in authentic encounters with ideas and dilemmas found in both the curriculum and their world.  Story drama structures balance informational, expressive, and interactional language. . . The attention to detail will give teachers the confidence to works with what is, for many, a new methodology.  For teachers familiar with drama, the same structures may be used as stepping off points or as models for planning their own lessons. Into the Story is a resource in which teachers and students can discover how, by entering the story, drama becomes a compelling medium for learning."  "Inviting, non-intimidating, and enticingly available."  To find out more read one of the chapters.

Technical Theater for Nontechnical People

This unparalleled resource walks readers through every aspect of the backstage environment, from scenery to lighting to sound to props, as well as the often-overlooked area of stage management. The book is filled with helpful illustrations, backstage survival guides, and a glossary of key terms.

Comprehensive and easy to understand, the coverage includes:

•  Working with designers to get the right look
•  Tricks and tools for set building and enhancing scene-change choreography
•  Setting a mood and creating focus with light
•  Sculpting sound with microphones, mixers, and other sources
•  Understanding floor plans
•  Assessing a performance space
•  Developing a prop list Managing a show both on and backstage

Play Directing in the School : A Drama Director's Survival Guide

Directing plays in schools requires knowledge and talents far different than directing for community or professional theatre. In ten comprehensive chapters the author explains the "real world" of producing effective theatricals in the school environment. He details the pitfalls and the problems while providing ideas for consistently successful shows. He covers budgeting, scheduling, faculty politics, motivating and disciplining students and many other school-life realities beyond a director or teacher's job description. Anyone faced with producing a play needs this book as a "Bible" for guidance and  fulfillment of objectives. A drama director's survival guide.

Mask Improvisation for Actor Training & Performance : The Compelling Image  
by Sears A Eldridge 
An excellent text covering numerous aspects of mask; including historical aspects,
neutral mask, character mask and the manufacture, construction and design of masks.
This is one of the best books I've seen on mask work.
I believe it is an absolute must for any teacher wanting to teach with masks.
Read my review at Amazon.com

Commedia dell'Arte: 
An Actor's Handbook  by John Rudlin
An excellent text on the Commedia dell'Arte. Covers all the major characters, the history and performance styles.  It also contains detailed instructions on making a traditional leather mask. 

True and False : Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor   
by David Mamet
In bold and controversial style, David Mamet, one of the most significant figures in contemporary theatre, gives his unique opinion on what theatre is all about.

Condemning the "Method" and other actor training "hogwash", Mamet makes no bones about telling actors to simply learn the the lines and say them. A must read.
 
Stage Management  
by Lawrence Stern
This is regarded by many as THE book on stage management.
It covers all aspects and provides useful resources in the form of graphs, schedules, etc.