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 Stanley
The 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 Library
The Moving Body: Teaching Creative Theatre by Recommended by Sylvaine Guyot
Theatre for Beginners by Recommended by James Stanley
Wandering 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 Library
The Health and Safety Guide for Film, TV and Theater by Recommended by Andrew Gitchel; on order for Widener Library
The 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 Guyot
Meyerhold on TheatreRecommended by Sylvaine Guyot; on order for Widener Library
"Paradox of the Actor" in Selected Writings on Art and Literature by Recommended by Sylvaine Guyot
Tree: 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."
