The Perfect Stage Crew: The Compleat Technical Guide for High School, College, and Community Theater [Paperback]

John Kaluta (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2003

Here is an indispensable, nuts-and-bolts guide to putting on a stunning, low-budget show in less than 40 days! The Perfect Stage Crew explains the pitfalls to avoid and provides solutions to the most common as well as most complex stage performance problems. Readers without Broadway-size budgets and resources will learn the low-cost, low-tech approaches to painting scenery, building sets, hanging lights, setting cues, and operating sound. They’ll also find crucial guidance for generating publicity, preparing tickets, technical rehearsals, and more.




• Written in a clear, direct, and jargon-free style

• Features 45 lively anecdotes from the author’s own experience working in virtually every backstage capacity

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

During the past 25 years, John Kaluta has served as a technical director, museum artist, carpenter, lighting and set designer, and even a rock tour roadie. A public high school teacher, he lives in Beltsville, MD.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Allworth Press; 1st edition (November 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581153155
• ISBN-13: 978-1581153156
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish I'd found it sooner!!, October 15, 2005

By 

J. S. Green (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Perfect Stage Crew: The Compleat Technical Guide for High School, College, and Community Theater (Paperback)

I purchased The Perfect Stage Crew after taking over the Theatre Arts class and role as Technical Director at the high school where I teach. I had little theater experience and no technical knowledge when I accepted both positions. Prior to purchasing this text, I had read numerous reviews and purchased other texts, none of which addressed the specific issues I was encountering on a daily basis - such as basic stagecraft, simple (but effective) lighting, tips for managing a crew and tricks for maintaining my sanity. The text reads easily and is well organized. Mr. Kaluta has a priceless sense of humor, and I would swear he's been backstage in my theater! I feel confident in following his advice and learning from his mistakes because he's been where I am. I have even moved away from the "textbook" for my course and started creating notes and handouts gleaned from the pointers and information in The Perfect Stage Crew. Thank you so much for writing a book on technical theater that doesn't read like an instructional manual for a vacuum cleaner and that makes me laugh out loud while nodding in agreement. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone working in high school or community theatre. It has proven invaluable to me, and I expect to return to it often over the next several years.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wish I could rate higher, November 28, 2008

By 

Mister Chief - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Perfect Stage Crew: The Compleat Technical Guide for High School, College, and Community Theater (Paperback)

As a student that does stage crew, this book is worth its weight in platinum. It is full of everything you need to get up and running for any theatrical event; whether amateur, school, or professional, this book will fulfill the needs of it all.
With tips ranging from carpentry to lighting and sound, and even how to manage the stage crew themselves, you really cannot go wrong buying this book, especially if you are a sponsor or director.

After hearing about this book, many crew members also bought this book and they also say the same things I do.
Heck, my stage crew sponsor LOVES this book. Well, after all, he should, if you catch my drift.

2.0 out of 5 stars You must be joking, November 20, 2010

By 

Whatsupjacques - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Perfect Stage Crew: The Compleat Technical Guide for High School, College, and Community Theater (Paperback)

Disappointing to say, but it's rather hard to get past the immature writing. The author breaks about every rule of good writing and composition for excessive and off-track babbling about things that no one who bought the book would want. Yes, it's supposed to make it more fun/entertaining, but I felt it diffused rather than enhanced the book. I wouldn't recommend this book even though it contains one redeeming value: Each topic covers a helpful "Why do I need to know this" section that at least gives purpose to the read and is helpful for young students.