The Stage Directions Guide to Working Back Stage provides an overview of what goes on behind the scenes as well as specific guidance for each essential area of back-stage operation.

Every director, from the beginner to the most experienced, will find in this book invaluable information to make their direction more effective. Following a general overview of the director's role, the book focuses on how the director shapes and guides a production - from preproduction meetings to curtain calls. Veteran directors and actors in community, regional, and academic theatre offer their expertise on a range of topics, including: selecting the right play things to look for in an audition criticizing effectively basics of directing a musical staging a big show with a small cast blocking tips managing rehearsal and schedules and much more. Directors may be an unseen presence in stage productions, but their influence is everywhere to be seen - and heard. Stage Directions Guide to Directing provides welcome support to directors charged with unlocking the full potential of their productions.

Here is a practical, accessible introduction to one of the most complex jobs in theatre. Linda Apperson clearly and concisely leads the reader through the procedures and responsibilities of stage management, from auditions to closing night. What is “blocking”? How do you “call” a show? Who is the technical director, and why do you want him or her as your best friend? How can you tame (or endure) a prima donna? When is the best time to offer advice to the actors? Ms. Apperson answers these and countless other questions in a resource book that will become a constant companion for both the novice and the experienced theatre person. Especially useful is her attention to personal relationships among actors and crew. She insists that working to create an atmosphere of respect backstage will improve the show onstage, and she shows precisely how this is done, based upon her years of experience in managing the stage. Stage Managing and Theatre Etiquette includes samples of prompt scripts and other essential stage manager’s tools.

Play Readings: A Complete Guide for Theatre Practitioners demystifies the standards and protocols of a play reading, demonstrating how to create effective and evocative readings for those new to or inexperienced with the genre. It examines all of the essential considerations involved in readings, including the use of the venue, pre-reading preparations, playwright/director communication, editing/adapting stage directions, casting, using the limited rehearsal time effectively, simple "staging" suggestions, working with actors, handling complex stage directions, talkbacks, and limiting the use of props, costumes, and music. A variety of readings are covered, including readings of musicals, operas, and period plays, for comprehensive coverage of this increasingly prevalent production form.

Drawing from the columns and archives of Stage Directions magazine and adding new material and introductions that put the information into perspective, the editors focus on five main areas of responsibility in musical theater.

Everyacting student and working actor needs a copy of this book! Here’s the essential guide to surviving and thriving as an actor in regional theaters. The thousands and thousands of students in the hundreds and hundreds of acting programs all over the country would all love to become stars right out of school—but the reality of a career in acting usually means honing the craft at regional theaters.The Back Stage Guide to Working in Regional Theaterincludes a history of the movement and a description of each of the League of Regional Theater (LORT) houses in the U.S, plus sections on personal marketing for the actor, the business of acting, strategies and career planning. Essential web sites, a sample organizational chart, contact names, a guide to theater unions, and listings of more than 100 theaters across the country makeThe Back Stage Guide to Regional Theatera must-have for every actor who’s working or wants to be. • Full listings for every regional theater in the US • Valuable information on websites, resources, getting organized • Helps acting students find employers near home or school while they train

The Most Widely Used Manual For Aspiring And Veteran Stage Managers - Now Revised and Expanded The next best thing to shadowing a Broadway stage manager, this detailed, behind-the-scenes book as been brought completely up to date. First published in 1991, it is widely used and has been lauded as the most comprehensive, educational book on stage management available. From preproduction planning and first rehersals to opening night and final strike, all the essentials of the profession are presented here in a friendly, engaging style. Blending how-to information with anecdotes from his own career, author Thomas A. Kelly explains the entire theatrical process, including: - Organizing all rehearsals and performances - Maintaining the working script, cue sheets, and daily records - Supervising the technical aspects of the show - Running shows outdoors and at other non-theatrical venues - Dealing with performers and crew members on all levels This new edition reflects all the latest developments and innovations in the industry and adds a totally new chapter on opera stage management, complete with an in-depth breakdown of the challenges this style of production presents. The text is supported by sample documents, diagrams, and charts that straddle time-honored approaches with what can be generated by today's computer software. All the latest stage machinery is discussed, along with tips on finding employment. This guide remians the first choice for anyone who works in any branch of the profession, whether amateur, educational, or professional.