How to Run a Theater: A Witty, Practical and Fun Guide to Arts Management (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The ridiculous rate of theatre unemployment coupled with the sheer ferocity of a life in the American theatre should be an obvious indicator of the..." (more)
Key Phrases: nonprofit theatres, theatre leaders, resident theatres, New York, Theatre Communications Group, Institute of Outdoor Drama (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The definitive arts management guide, this book is written with tremendous insight and humor and packed with dozens of lists, such as "22 Wonderful Ways to Improve Your Life in the Theater" and "20 Distractions that Erode Productivity." It provides information on improving an organization by building audiences, bolstering fundraising, and tightening finances. Also covered are tips for solidifying relationships with boards, volunteers, communities, and colleagues. It's all here, from managing one's own life, working with a board of trustees, and managing a team to negotiating, fundraising, marketing, and financial management. This resource will appeal to all those who work in arts management-from novices to veteran middle managers and executive directors.

About the Author

Jim Volz is a nationally known theater producer, author, educator, advocate, and columnist. He is a professor at California State University and president of Consultants for the Arts. He lives in Orange County, CA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Back Stage Books; 1st edition (July 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823083136
• ISBN-13: 978-0823083138
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #144,474 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for Arts Managers, Artists and Artist/Managers, October 16, 2004

By	Suzanne Celentano "arts management consultant" (Lorton, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Volz' How to Run a Theater should be required reading for anyone working in the field of arts management -- be they artists or managers or artist/managers -- and anyone training to work in this challenging field. Written in the "witty" style that the subtitle suggests, this text offers an extensive overview of the many challenges that theatre managers face today, and more importantly, sound advice on how to succeed in spite of them. Volz offers us in-depth insights into such real managerial dilemnas as: season planning, budgeting, and audience development and such life management issues as: goal setting, networking and surviving in the competitive field of arts management. Using knowledge gained through over three decades of work as a nationally-recognized arts consultant and university professor, Volz not only inspires his readers to make their artistic dreams into reality, but, like any good consultant, teaches them how to do so. Perhaps best of all, this advice is offered with an appropriate blend of humor and perspective, encouraging readers to pursue their artistic goals, and to enjoy the process of reaching them along the way.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, Clear, and Saves Time, September 1, 2006

By	Cindy Melby Phaneuf (Omaha, NE USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Our staff continues to use this book. Jim Volz makes things simple and clear, and he saves us boatloads of time trying to figure out how to do things ourselves from scratch. HOW TO RUN A THEATER is also a great training tool for new staff. We are using various chapters as preparatory reading for our strategic planning meetings. I am proposing that our management classes use this text. I am so happy Jim wrote this book.

Cindy Melby Phaneuf
Founder/Artistic Director, Nebraska Shakespeare Festival
Isaacson Professor of Theatre, University of Nebraska-Omaha

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book for some, not for me building a theater from scratch., March 7, 2006

By	Jeannette Jaquish "theater script author" (Fort Wayne, IN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book tells how to do a traditional board of directors type theater. I am making a more rudimentary theater and needed to know how to create a board that would protect my investment in a building, help me with guidance, some fund raising, some outreach, but not saddle me with its own philosophical pronouncements that might hurt ticket sales in favor of their whim.
I actually, skimmed through every page, searching for the practical knowledge I needed. This book has no nuts and bolts about theaters. It could be about many kinds of non-profit enterprises. Not a word about anything hands-on and maybe I was mistaken to expect that, except the title is "How to Run a Theater" so maybe I did have reason to think it would describe scheduling rehearsals alongside scheduling set building, or how to research building codes, how to build a stage from scratch, what to look for in a building, what certified professionals I would have to hire, or profit vs non-profit theatering.
And the mild humor and Dear Abby suggestions lightened it but got repetitive. I presume most people don't read the whole book but at least 4 times he tells me to be on time and be respectful of other people. Well, who can argue?