The Drama Teacher's Survival Guide: A Complete Toolkit for Theatre Arts [Paperback]

Margaret Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2007

Success assured - for every show YOLI direct or produce! Written from 37 years of drama teaching experience, this book provides detailed, step-by-step information, examples and suggestions about how to direct a school drama program without mistakes, trouble or delay. The nineteen chapters cover everything: play selection, tryouts, rehearsals, costuming, props, lighting, publicity and final performance. To further clarify each step, examples are provided with illustrations, photos and proven ideas. Reproducible handouts and forms are also included together with a list of many additional resources. Whether you are a seasoned drama director or a beginner, you will find this book to be an invaluable aid. It will banish your stress and guarantee your success!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Margaret F. Johnson is a retired drama teacher, has directed over 190 productions. Many of her former students are now theatre professionals.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Meriwether Publishing; 1 edition (April 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566081416
• ISBN-13: 978-1566081412
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,862 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but still incomplete., August 10, 2009

By 

M. Grady "maraquin" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Drama Teacher's Survival Guide: A Complete Toolkit for Theatre Arts (Paperback)

This book's subtitle says that it is a complete tool kit for the theater arts. While it does cover all aspects of producing a play it does not cover the essential element of the drama teacher's job: drama class. I purchased this book hoping that it could help me with my day to day class, but instead I got everything I need to know about doing a production (which is not my job at my school.) So, if you're looking for help producing a show by all means pick this book up, but if you're looking for something that will help you in a drama class setting this book is seriously incomplete.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful tool for anyone involved in theater, April 29, 2007

By 

Erick Rasmussen "Theater Competent" (Missoula, MT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Drama Teacher's Survival Guide: A Complete Toolkit for Theatre Arts (Paperback)

This handy guide covers literally every aspect of putting on a production, and not only does it apply to high school theater, it is extremely helpful for any level of theater, from elementary, to high school, to amature, to community, to professional.
Margaret Johnson covers basics from selecting shows, to securing the theater, to casting and auditions to opening night.
The best part is that this book doesn't read like stereo instructions, there are personal touches from the author through out including her memories and stories of different shows she has worked on.
This book also includes audition sheets and other pages you can photo copy to pass out and have actors fill out.

Literally every question you could possibly have involving your theatrical production, this book covers it. Nothing will remain unanswered.

Also, it's important to note that I'm not a high school drama teacher, but I am a long-time theatrical passionate and I have been using this book as a holy grail while directing my first show.

Please email me if you have any questions.

[...]

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a 'must' for any library which caters to actors or drama teachers., July 7, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Drama Teacher's Survival Guide: A Complete Toolkit for Theatre Arts (Paperback)

Both experienced and beginning drama directors have easy, experience-backed tips on directing from THE DRAMA TEACHER'S SURVIVAL GUIDE: A COMPLETE TOOL KIT FOR THEATRE ARTS. When this book says 'complete' it means it: collections strong in drama will appreciate the range of tips from instructions on organizing tryouts - complete with tryout sheets - to blocking out rehearsals, technical aspects of scene set-up, tips on locating costumes, and more. It's a 'must' for any library which caters to actors or drama teachers.