Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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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.

I am entering my 10th year as a Theatre teacher and I still found this book useful. It is a good reminder of those things you have let slip over the years for whatever reason. I think it is a good refresher for us old dogs, but I think it would be a wonderful resource for a first or second year teacher, too. I loved it.

This is probably the best, all round, "how to" book for theatre teachers I have ever seen. No amount of classroom games, theatre exercises and readings of Shakespeare will ever prepare you for mounting a play like this book does. I started my 30 year teaching career with an MA in theatre and would have given anything to have had this book when I started. It is excellent!

This was a very useful tool for a fledgling class. My students have enjoyed doing the various activities. I would highly recommend it!

My daughter wanted a comprehensive review before starting to teach drama. She was very pleased with this guide and how thoroughly it covered all the material.

Most of this book centers on the actual production process of putting on a show. If you're looking for a balanced teaching tool for all parts of classroom work, look elsewhere.

This book is amazing!! I could not live with out it! I am a brand new Middle School drama instructor (I have no training in drama and have only taught MS choir for the last 3 years) and am supposed to put on a musical this spring. So, this book tells me everything I need to know so I can put on a show. It explains how to choose a show, how to choose a cast, how to get your administrators and community on board, who to hire on a limited budget, etc. I am very pleased!

Excellent source if you are putting on a full-scale production for middle or high school.