Technical Theater for Nontechnical People [Paperback]

Drew Campbell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

Completely updated to reflect state-of-the-art standards in today's fast-changing theater technology, Technical Theater for Nontechnical People helps actors, dancers, playwrights, and directors to understand every aspect of a traditional and digitally supported backstage environment-from scenery, lighting, and sound to props, costumes, and stage management. All sides of production are clearly explained in jargon-free prose, and unfamiliar terms are highlighted and defined in an appended glossary. In addition to discussions on the more traditional elements of technical theater, this book gives equal weight to the new technologies that have become mainstream, including software (DMX, MIDI, and SMPTI) for show control systems, software to build audio cues, and PC-based audio play-back systems.




• Affirmed by Library Journal as a book that "will certainly become a standard introductory text on trchnical theater."

• "The most down-to-earth, stright-forward survey of technical theater practice I have ever read."--John R. Lucas, managing director of theater, Brown University

• This replaces 1-58115-020-2

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Two under-appreciated theatrical specialties, technical production for the novice and audience development, take center stage in these two thorough works. With hundreds of production/design/technical credits behind him, Campbell has written what will certainly become a standard introductory text on technical theater. All facets of production are clearly explained in jargon-free prose, and unfamiliar terms are highlighted and defined in an appended glossary. In addition to separate chapters on the more traditional elements of technical theater (lights, sound, scenery, properties), Campbell gives equal weight to the venue, design, stage management, corporate theater, and checklists. As valuable as this comprehensive manual is for the neophyte, experienced techies will also benefit from its common sense. Everyone involved with theater should have acces to this most welcome text. Stage Directions, "the practical magazine of theater," is to the theater community what the U*N*A*B*A*S*H*E*D Librarian is to librarians. This guide to cultivating and retaining an audience, the most perplexing and financially significant problem facing every theater, is the latest entry in Heinemann's "Stage Directions" series, compiled mostly from previously published articles in the magazine. This practical compendium, arranged in three sections, addresses how to attract and retain a constituency and profiles several theaters that have been successful in both areas. A more focused and audience-specific work, this title will be of value to theater administrators and marketers as well as smaller theater groups seeking practical and empirically tested ideas and solutions.ABarry X. Miller, Austin P.L., TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

A resource that is concise, entertaining, and eminently practical. -- American Association of Community Theater

An excellent handbook for the beginner and occasional technician, or indeed for the professional regularly working with the less experienced. -- Stagetechbooks.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Allworth Press; 1 edition (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581153449
• ISBN-13: 978-1581153446
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Television
  • #64 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Theater

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book Every Theater Person Should Own, June 17, 2000

By 

Kenton Couch (Overland Park, Kansas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Technical Theater for Nontechnical People (Paperback)

Simply put, this is the most helpful book on the technical side of theater I have ever read. Mr. Campbell is a rare individual. Although a technician, he has written a sympathetic and yet extremely informative book on lighting, sound, stage terminology, etc. The amount of really usefull information in the book is astounding. I am a high school drama teacher, and I think this book should be in the library of every theater teacher and theater student. No other book I've read so clearly explains the essentials one needs to know about the technical craft of theater. If you are a person who doesn't want a book where the author is trying to show what an expert he or she is and what an idiot you are, then Drew Campbell's book is just the one for you. He is an expert who understands his job is to help those of us who aren't. Bravo for this book. I hope Mr. Campbell keeps writing on theater. We can use his knowledge, wit, and empathy. Five stars for this book, and a few thrown in for the actor with glass in his butt telling jokes on the way to the hospital. Thanks for a great book.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource for Theatre Students, January 1, 2003

By 

"derbach" (Brevard, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Technical Theater for Nontechnical People (Paperback)

This is a very handy resource for high school age students of theatre arts. My 22 students found that the reading level, vocabulary and style combined to make a very accessible introduction to technical aspects of theatre. The anecdotes provided clear examples and advice, to which the students could relate readily, and the author's unique style manages to assume that the reader is ignorant of the subject without insulting the reader. My students were grateful to find the questions they would be afraid to ask (the "dumb questions"), answered clearly and comprehensively. The many and well-placed diagrams and illustrations add significantly to the value of the book as a whole. I highly recommend this book for any youth theatre program, or high school theatre arts class.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars at last...a dummies book for stage people, June 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Technical Theater for Nontechnical People (Paperback)

Very practical and straightforward. An essential tool for anyone starting in theater as it discusses the very basic materials for survival in the trade. Theater old timers will also like the book for the numerous sample situations (anecdotes) included.

The book went beyond academic and in fact, is more experiential in content. It's a balance blend of terminologies, systems and case studies.