Theater Design: Second Edition [Hardcover]

Professor George C. Izenour (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 25, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0300067755 | ISBN-13: 978-0300067750 | Edition: 2 Sub

This text is a comprehensive reference to all aspects of theatre planning and construction and a history of theatre design from ancient times to the present. Drawing on examples from Greek and Roman models to Renaissance and baroque theatres to contemporary buildings around the world, it discusses such requirements as structural systems, seating, acoustics and visual volume in detail, considering the optimum conditions for both musical and dramatic performance. This edition includes, as an appendix, a new set of drawings, in addition to the original 900 illustrations.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 666 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press; 2 Sub edition (March 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300067755
• ISBN-13: 978-0300067750
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 11.6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,215,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Theater architecture must-have classic, February 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Theater Design: Second Edition (Hardcover)

A beautiful and loving treatment of theater design through the ages, George Izenour's classic, long out-of-print, has been recently edited and re-released. A must-have for all theater fans, architects, stage designers, acouticians and classical musicians. The plan, perspective and cut-away drawings of hundreds of theaters, large and small, are a marvel of precision, detail and artistry. Professor Emeritus of Yale Drama School Izenour brings a life-time of experience to this handsome - and heavy - volume. Well worth the high price.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for anyone involved in planning an auditorium, September 23, 2007

By 

Chip Sams (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Theater Design: Second Edition (Hardcover)

I am an acoustical and systems design consultant who specializes in the design and functional rehabilitation of worship and performing arts facilities. My role in the planning of such facilities, including ongoing refinements throughout their lifetimes, has pulled me in the direction of taking a broader responsibility for ensuring competent design of the functional elements for sight and sound - that is, of being a "theatre consultant."

In preparation for a book I am writing on the competent functional design of worship facilities, I have undertaken a review of available literature on the subject of public assembly facility design, and in so doing, have found this book to stand out as being in a class of its own in terms of thoroughness, timelessness (freedom from fads), depth of historical perspective, technical authority, and a willingness to not mince words about real-world obstacles to competent design. Izenour, who sadly was taken from us this past March, was truly the "dean" of the theater consulting profession. While I wish I had had more opportunities to learn from this master of the craft of auditorium design, we would all be a lot poorer without this best-of-the-best book. Enjoy!