Customer Reviews

The Creative Spirit: An Introduction to Theatre

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

THE CREATIVE SPIRIT takes a very refreshing, multicultural view to American Theater, while still giving good, basic information about theater history and the process of theater production. This text was written to accompany introductory theater courses, (perhaps in community colleges or in a theater for non-majors context), not to try to be a definitive guide to all theater. Hence, the subtitle "An Introduction to Theatre."

Reading plays is a huge part of learning about theater, and this text includes many plays for analysis and discussion. The plays included are each unique and important, reflecting the diverse experience of the people of the United States (and probably the students who are reading them), while still teaching the same concepts as if they were reading the plays that most intro textbooks offer. Each play is preceded by contextual information including an author biography, the artistic and cultural influences that contributed to the inspiration of the writing, information about a production of the play, etc.

There are individual chapters about the role of each theater practicioner (director, designer, actor, etc.) which include interviews with professionals who discuss their craft.

New to recent editions is the addition of an entire chapter about musical theater. An important part of American theater, recent and historical musical productions are discussed.

The text is richly illustrated, with many color plates, black and white photos and drawings. Photos of Broadway, regional and college productions are included, as well as historically important people and places.

In addition, the final chapter of the text (at least in the last edition, I have not seen the most recent edition) includes a number or project ideas for students to become the producers of a show, choosing directorial concepts, set and costume designs, etc. At the end of each of the other chapters are suggested discussion questions for that chapter's content as well.

Many of us practicing theater today could even benefit from reviewing some of the basic information in this book, or expanding our knowledge of what's out there by reading about and seeing photos from varied regional productions.

In my mind, THE CREATIVE SPIRIT: AN INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE is an excellent book for what it aims to be.

I used this textbook for my last section of Theatre Appreciation, and it did not work out well, for two reasons:

1. The emphasis is overwhelmingly on modern American theatre, and the roots of theatrical history are almost entirely neglected. Only very brief details are given for most historical movements and playwrights, and even earlier American plays are not given the time and detail they should be. I found myself having to supplement the text to an extreme degree, for it just didn't include enough substance.

2. Not enough is done to show the technical workings of the theatre. Students may already come into the class with a preconceived idea that theatre is all about the actor (and perhaps the director), and if they read this book from cover to cover, they may very well believe their first ideas are right (except for that chapter on playwriting). Technicians and other aspects of theatrical production are given so little time that students without theatrical experience may very well believe they are unimportant--and yet this idea neglects what makes theatre so amazing, that so many artists bring their talents together to create a cohesive whole, with costumes, sets, lighting, props, etc. This book simply doesn't show students those aspects enough for them to see how they can all work together.

I am teaching another section of Theatre Appreciation, and I will not use this textbook again. I selected it the first time because it included the full scripts for five plays, but even these are not worth the gaping holes in the rest of the textbook's material.

The time between order an delivery was within the posted limits. Book was packaged well. Disappointed with the condition of book. It was listed as being in good condition but the wear an tear of it was more than I expected. I was not pleased.

The book that was sent to me had water damage and the front cover is all bent up. BUt the book will work for what I need it for.

The class I teach is called APPROACHING THE ARTS: THEATRE. The University also offers Introduction to Theatre. I use this book because it contains the complete text of six good plays. Plays are the cornerstone of theater. Ms. Arnold uses these plays to demonstrate how different theatre artists approach their art. For instance there is a chapter on the Playwright that uses August Wilson's play JOE TURNER HAS COME AND GONE to teach how a playwright approaches writing a play, and what inspires a playwright. She uses each play to teach a part of theatre: acting, design, etc. I highly recommend this book as a means to get non theater people interested in making theater a life long habit.

I think the book is very confussing. It skips around. Very hard to understand and does not go with class material very well.

When I ordered the book it said that there was minimal wear and that the corners were bent and whatnot but when I received the book it looked like a brand new book! Maybe I was sent the wrong one? It doesn't matter. I am very happy with the quality of the book and it arrived on time.

I ordered the 4th edition with price of 60 and they send me used third edition book that does not worth 20 now

Although the book was rated "acceptable" on the seller's listing, the book was hardly that. The comments on the seller listing said book cover may be worn with some high lighting, which I can handle. However, the comments failed to mention that the binding of the book the broken, pages were missing, sections of the book were falling out and the cover was not "worn" but rather destroyed. Needless to say I was extremely disappointed with my purchase.

For the price I paid, the book was in really good condition. Only issues were some highlighter marks in the books, but considering the price, that is no big issue.