Lighting the Shakespearean Stage, 1567-1642
by Robert B. Graves - Hardcover - 274 pages (December 1999)
R. B. Graves examines the lighting of early modern English drama from both historical and aesthetic perspectives. He traces the contrasting traditions of sunlit amphitheaters and candlelit hall playhouses, describes the different lighting techniques, and estimates the effect of these techniques both indoors and outdoors. This is scholarship of an impressively high order. Graves seems to have exhausted all available original historical data and fruitful modern speculation on this subject; and his arguments from these sources are very persuasive. Equally persuasive are his original and ingenious measurements of theatrical venues by date/time/light-angle/distance which, strangely, no one else has thought to try

For more information Click Here

Theatrical Design in the Twentieth Century
by Patrick Atkinson - Hardcover - 488 pages (June 30, 1996)
Pictorial references are essential to illustrate any discussion of theatrical design. There are resources that locate original scenic designs, but access to original work is often restricted. The easiest way for most people to research stage designs is to consult photographic reproductions, but finding photographs from hundreds--if not thousands--of sources requires much time and effort. This index of 7000 productions by more than 2000 scenic designers focuses on photographs of 20th-century sets, renderings, and models of theatre and opera productions appearing in 114 selected books and journals likely to be held by most research libraries. Atkinson's much needed source indexes moe than 7,000 theatrical productions by more than 2,000 designers....[I]t should serve as an excellent starting point for scenic design researchers....Highly recommended for undergraduate and graduate libraries.

For more information Click Here

Rigging Handbook : The Complete Illustrated Field Reference
by Jerry Klinke - Paperback - 114 pages (December 1995)
The author has assembled an invaluable handbook for millwrights, ironworkers, and maintenance mechanics, and riggers from all fields. He draws on his extensive field work, maintenance and teaching experience to provide a complete on-the-job reference. The handbook provides the user with concise information and detailed illustrations to explain situations encountered while performing industrial rigging and hoisting operations. Its easy-to-read format makes it the perfect source of information for both field personnel and engineering professionals, and the associated examples help train or refresh skills that may have been forgotten. Key features include: - New data for wire rope and synthetic slings - Updated values for rigging hardware - Weight of materials and approximating weight formulas - Calculating sling tension and moving loads horizontally - New rigging techniques for the 90's!

For more information Click Here

Theaters
Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates
Brimming with information on the design of effective performance spaces, this solid resource offers a wealth of ideas to inspire professional and student architects, designers, teachers, and performing arts producers. The book studies the interrelationship of the aims of the artist, the needs of the public, and the creative innovations of theater architects. Issues surrounding the creation of public spaces, the restoration of theaters, and the technological differences between venues for plays, opera, and dance are all addressed. Essays by respected producers, scenic designers, architects, actors, choreographers, and other artists give the book a wide perspective. The contributors include, among others, Jane Alexander, Eliot Feld, Joel Grey, Phyllis Curtin, Robert Whitehead, Arthur Mitchell, Tony Randall, Arthur Penn, and Frank Rich. Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer associates is a leading architectural and interior design firm recognized worldwide for its innovative work. Founding partners Hugh Hardy, Malcolm Holzman, Norman Pfeiffer, associate partner Stephen Johnson, and more than 130 professional staff members oversee a wide range of complex projects for civic, educational, and commercial use. The firm has offices in New York and Los Angeles.

For more information Click Here

AutoCAD 2000: No Experience Required
by David Frey - Paperback - 621 pages (April 1999)
The author does a good job of squeezing in lots of techniques into the tutorials. If there was anything I wish that he had included, it's tips and tricks sections and a more robust section on 3d rendering. But the book is still worth 5 stars. I suspect that 3d rendering is really a subject all to itself and probably needs to be covered separately anyways. The only reason I suggest a tips and tricks section is that I feel that after using Autocad that there are nuances with the software that cannot be covered with tutorials, ie what-if scenarios. For instance, I commonly make objects in a layer that stay in that layer despite the fact that I move them to other layers. They refuse to even take on the color of the layer I move them to. Based upon the book's tutorials, this shouldn't be happening. Regardless, the book did what it was supposed to do: I now know Autocad and am already designing things with it.

For more information Click Here

Costume Design : Techniques of Modern Masters
by Lynn Pecktal, Tony Walton - Paperback - 256 pages Reprint edition (July 1999)
Provides a behind-the-scenes look at Broadway, film, television, ballet, and opera in the form of interviews conducted with 18 leading contemporary costume designers who explain how they traverse the route from a preliminary sketch to a finished costume, with detailed information on renderings, fittings, swatching, and other techniques of the trade. The text is stunningly illustrated with some 400 previously unpublished color sketches by the designers. A reference also suitable for the coffee table.

For more information Click Here

Stage Rigging Handbook
Jay O. Glerum
This book is a manual of professional rigging with an emphasis in theatrical rigging systems. It gives a complete overview of theatrical fly systems with emphasis on counterweight fly's. It gives great detail in the proper methods of rigging, safety in the theatre and tools and components of theatre rigging. This book is a must for any professional in the industry as well as students in the field.

For more information Click Here

The Backstage Handbook: An Illustrated Almanac of Technical Information
by Paul Carter, George Chiang - Paperback 3rd edition (1994)
The Backstage Handbook covers and illustrates much extremely useful information pertaining to the theatre and releated industry. This book should be required reading by ALL college theatre majors - both design/technical and performance. The illustrated references make for easier learning when used in conjunction with hands-on instruction. If you do not own this book and are involved in the entertainment industry, you should purchase a copy right away!

For more information Click Here

Staging Strikes : Workers' Theatre and the American Labor Movement (Critical Perspectives
by Colette A. Hyman - Hardcover - 224 pages (March 1997)
In clear and moving prose, Colette Hyman traces the history of workers' theatre from its grassroots origins to the Federal Theatre Project of the WPA under Franklin Delano Roosevelt and into unions' recreational programs. Even today, the tradition of workers' theatre endures in local and regional productions that reflect current worker concerns or revive significant workers' plays of the Depression period. Hyman shows that the significance of workers' theatre lies not only in the plays produced but also in the audiences' experience, in coming together out of common concerns to achieve a solidarity that emphasizes the effectiveness of collective action.

For more information Click Here

Designing With Light : An Introduction to Stage Lighting
by J. Michael Gillette - Paperback 3rd edition (October 1997)
Gillette (theatre, U. of Arizona) has revised his successful textbook, and has added material on projections, design process, drafting for lighting. Well worth having in your collection. A good introduction to the art of lighting theatre productions, with good explanations and examples of the design process. Simple information on control systems and basic patching processes but quite useful colour theory chapter. Also covers luminaires and effects projection techniques. All in all a good text.

For more information Click Here