TEXTBOOKS for
Stagecraft Courses

Illustrated Theatre Production Guide, 2nd Edition
John Holloway
ISBN: 978-0-240-81204-5

This new and fully updated edition of the Illustrated Theatre Production Guide takes a step-by-step approach to the most common and popular theatre production practices, covering important issues related to the construction of wooden, fabric, plastic, and metal scenery used on the stage. This book examines theatres and their equipment, tools and materials, and scenery construction, as well as the principles of electricity and implementation of a lighting design.

Illustrated Theatre Production Guide, Second Edition offers techniques and best-practice methods from an experienced industry expert, creating a foundation on which to build a successful and resourceful career behind the scenes in theatre production... [more]

Stagecraft Fundamentals: A Guide and Reference for Theatrical Production, 2nd Edition
Rita Kogler Carver
ISBN: 978-0-240-82051-4

Stagecraft Fundamentals burst into the technical theatre textbook scene back in 2009, tackling every aspect of theatre production with Rita Kogler Carver's signature witty and engaging voice. The history of stagecraft, safety precautions, lighting, costumes, scenery, career planning tips, and more are discussed, illustrated by beautiful color examples that both display step-by-step procedures and break with the traditionally boring black and white introductory theatre textbook. This second edition improves upon the last, including more in-demand information on stage management, props, drawing and drafting (both by hand and CAD), lighting fixtures, and special effects. Also new to this edition are current articles from Lighting and Sound America, brand new diagrams that illustrate hard-to-grasp concepts, and plethora of information on European conversions, standards, and practices, making this the must have introductory theatre book even across the ocean... [more]

Mechanical Design for the Stage
Alan Hendrickson
ISBN: 978-0-240-80631-0

Mechanical Design for the Stage follows standard engineering design and construction practices, and develops machines that are functional, efficient to build, easily maintained, and safe to use.

Scenic effects involving rotating turntables, tracking stage wagons, and the vertical movement of curtains and painted drops have become common in both Broadway and Regional theatre productions. The machines that drive these effects range from small pneumatic cylinders pushing loads of a few pounds an inch or two, to 40 horse-power winches running multi-ton scenery at speeds 6 feet per second. Usually this machinery is designed by theatre technicians specifically for a particular show's effect. Compared to general industry, this design process is short, often only a few days long, it is done by one person, design teams are rare, and it is done in the absence of reference material specifically addressing the issues involved. The main goal of Mechanical Design for the Stage is to remedy this situation... [more]

Scenic Design and Lighting Techniques: A Basic Guide for Theatre
Rob Napoli
Chuck Gloman
ISBN: 978-0-240-80806-2

Basic. This is the key word in Scenic Design and Lighting Tecniques: A Basic Guide for Theatre, written by two seasoned professionals with over twenty years of experience. This book is designed to show you how to turn a bare stage into a basic set design, without using heavy language that would bog you down. From materials and construction to basic props and lighting, this book explains all you will need to know to build your set and light it. This text is perfect for non-majors or beginners who need to know the basics and the basics only.... [more]

Computer Visualization for the Theatre: 3D Modelling for Designers
Gavin Carver
Christine White
ISBN: 978-0-240-51617-2

• Prepare your students to be technically savvy Theatre Designers • Find both practical and inspirational advice for developing successful performance projects • Provide a guide full of examples for designing theatre space with Autodesk Viz and 3D Studio Max

3D software is an important part of theatre design in today's world. This text is both a guide to the creative design process as well as an introduction to the use of computers in live performance. Covering the main software packages, Autodesk Viz and 3D Studio Max, the book provides techniques for 3D modeling alongside creative ideas and concepts for working in 3D space.... [more]

Technical Design Solutions for Theatre: The Technical Brief Collection, Volume 2
Bronislaw J. Sammler
Don Harvey
ISBN: 978-0-240-80492-7

The Technical Brief is a collection of single-focus articles on technical production solutions, published three times a year by the prestigious Yale School of Drama. The primary objective of the publication is to share creative solutions to technical problems so that fellow theatre technicians can avoid having to reinvent the wheel with each new challenge. The range of topics includes scenery, props, painting, electrics, sound and costumes. The articles each describe an approach, device, or technique that has been tested on stage or in a shop by students and professionals... [more]

Technical Design Solutions for Theatre: The Technical Brief Collection, Volume 1
Bronislaw J. Sammler
Don Harvey
ISBN: 978-0-240-80490-3

The Technical Brief is a collection of single-focus articles on technical production solutions, published three times a year by the prestigious Yale School of Drama. The primary objective of the publication is to share creative solutions to technical problems so that fellow theatre technicians can avoid having to reinvent the wheel with each new challenge. The range of topics includes scenery, props, painting, electrics, sound, and costumes. The articles each describe an approach, device, or technique that has been tested on stage or in a shop by students and professionals... [more]

Structural Design for the Stage
Alys E. Holden
Bronislaw J. Sammler
ISBN: 978-0-240-80354-8

This book provides the theater technician with a foundation in structural design allowing an intuitive understanding of why sets "stand up". It introduces the basics of statics and the study of the strength of materials as they apply to typical scenery, with a minimum of theory and many examples. The material is presented such that only a basic knowledge of algebra, geometry and trigonometry is required. This useful text is also invaluable to professionals as a permanent handbook complete with carefully selected reference tables, which are applicable to most theatrical situations... [more]