Customer Reviews

Technical Theater for Nontechnical People

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This book is really a blessing to anyone trying to learn a little about everything in theater, or to folks trying to bridge the communication gap. The chapter that compares electricity to the Seattle Fish Market is classic! Every theater technician and artist should have a copy of this book in their personal library. Artists will have a concrete tool in communicating with technicians, and technicians will be able to better explain their art to the less technically minded.

This is a wonderful book, but did you know there's a revised 2004 edition available? Click on "Paperback (2nd)" so you can get the most updated information on this subject.

It's better than sliced Cheesballs! Really, I've spent a bunch of time trying to describe technical issues to non-tech people. I usually see their eyes glaze over in the first few moments. Mr. Campbell's book is a god-send.

Kevin-John Black

My theater teacher provided the 4 tech people in my class (including me) with this book. I never thought a 'text book' could be so interesting. It's a great read and we all understand the stage vocabulary much better. We've started using technical terms between ourselves and our parents are stunned that we are using such high vocabulary. I'm at the high school level now, and we get so much more done when using what we have learned from this book. I highly recommend it for any tech theater student or teacher. It gets 5 stars and 2 thumbs up from me.

I am finding this book very useful for a rounded guide to technical theatre for those of us who are 'Jacks of all Trades'. I am a solo technician in a Performing arts college in the UK and find it a useful recourse as I have to don many hats and it makes a good refresher or guide for the less experienced.
It is well written and I find it honest and light and gives a good bit of detail about specific technicalities without the really mind boggling stuff that I guess 'non technical people' would get someone in for anyway.
Every director should have a copy, or anyone who has to work with technicians as it is a great overview of different roles and the work that different departments put in.
Have a go. It's worth the money in my humble opinion.

As a Technical Theater student, this book has helped me out a lot. The text is very simply written and is even slightly humorous. It was written so non-theater majors could read and understand the overall picture. It's a very easy read and I'm sure the book will help me beyond school when I get out in the field.

This book covers every aspect of technical theater. It is comprehensive and the explanations provided make each topic easy to understand. Drew Campbell uses lots of humor to make this book not only informative, but also a great read. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who's just starting out in the theater, both actors and techies alike. You won't be disappointed.