Key Texts in Performance Practice
Making the Scene: a History of Stage Design and Technology in Europe and the United States by
Recommended by Andrew Gitchel: "Historical survey of European and North American theatre technology"Drafting for the Theatre by
Recommended by Kathryn Nakaji: "Overview of drafting standards and practices for theater"- A Manual for Urban Projection (PDF download) byRecommended by Johnathan Carr. "DIY guide to a wide array of creative live projection setups designed for urban spaces"
The Actor Speaks: Voice and the Performer by
Recommended by Erika Bailey. A practical manual about speech and voice work, written expressly for actors and singers. "A quintessential book on voice for the theater."Entangled: Technology and the Transformation of Performance by
Recommended by Sara Brown. Examines the influence and use of technology in 20th/21st century performance.An Actor's Work by
Recommended by David Levine. Stanislavsk's "system" has dominated actor-training in the West since his writings were first translated into English in the 1920s and 30s. His systematic attempt to outline a psycho-physical technique for acting single-handedly revolutionized standards of acting in the theatre.Towards a Poor Theatre by
Recommended by Sylvaine Guyot. As a record of Grotowski's theatrical experiments, this book is an invaluable resource to students and theater practioners alike.Theatrical Design and Production by
Recommended by Andrew Gitchel: "Comprehensive overview of design and production that provides an entry point in the process of designing and executing a production"Backstage Handbook: An Illustrated Almanac of Technical Information by
Recommended by Kathryn Nakaji: "Quick reference guide for theater technology and backstage hardware. Very well known by theater technicians."- QLab Cook Book byRecommended by Johnathan Carr. "QLab hacks"
Speaking with Skill by
Recommended by Erika Bailey: "Thinking on the necessity of speech skills for actors."A Sense of Direction: Some Observations on the Art of Directing by
Recommended by Derek Miller: "A charmingly personal view of how to direct a play. Advice on everything from working with designers to assigning dressing rooms. With a plethora of funny examples."The Tormentor: "Le Jeu" Light Theatre by
Recommended by James StanleyThe Empty Space by
Recommended by Sylvaine Guyot. A timeless analysis of theatre from the most influential stage director of the twentieth century.Black and Blur by
Recommended by Kaneza Schaal. "Thinking about poetry has helped me think about making theater."Theatre and Playhouse by
Recommended by Andrew Gitchel: "Illustrated survey of theatre building from ancient Greece to the present day"A Method of Lighting the Stage by
Recommended by Andrew Gitchel: "Scientific and systematic approach to creating a design"The Costume Designer's Handbook by
Recommended by Kathryn Nakaji: "Walk-through of how to approach and execute costume design for theater"; on order for Widener LibraryThe Moving Body: Teaching Creative Theatre by
Recommended by Sylvaine GuyotTheatre for Beginners by
Recommended by James StanleyWandering by
ISBN: 0822357275Publication Date: 2014-09-17Recommended by Kaneza Schaal. "Useful text for contemplation, for supporting one's investment in the circuitous routes that are often vital to making performance."The Costume Technician's Handbook by
Recommended by Kathryn Nakaji: "Good reference for costumes and costume building as well as information about shop and hardware"; on order for Widener LibraryThe Health and Safety Guide for Film, TV and Theater by
Recommended by Andrew Gitchel; on order for Widener LibraryThe Viewpoints Book: A Practical Guide to Viewpoints and Composition by
Recommended by Derek Miller: "Hugely influential system of movement for the theater, giving a vocabulary for working in space and time to create or refine work on stage."The Theatre of Death by
Recommended by Sylvaine GuyotMeyerhold on Theatre
Recommended by Sylvaine Guyot; on order for Widener Library"Paradox of the Actor" in Selected Writings on Art and Literature by
Recommended by Sylvaine GuyotTree: Belief/Culture/Balance by
Recommended by Kaneza Schaal. "A chance to see a performance maker's materials at play in their practice"Geography: Art, Race, Exile by
Recommended by Kaneza Schaal. "A valuable record of the genesis of an artist's work."