The Stagecraft Handbook

Get the complete, illustrated guide to scenery construction Using nails and wood, fabric and paint, hardware and rigging, you create an illusion. You build the make-believe world of the play. Now you have a scene-shop manual to help you. In The Stagecraft Handbook, Daniel A. Ionazzi, director of production for the UCLA Department of Theater, offers trap-room-to-grid guidance. Clearly written, heavily illustrated, this book covers every aspect of scenery construction. Turn here and learn about: • the four primary stage configurations–proscenium, thrust, arena and environmental • flying scenery and moving floors • organizing the scene shop to make good scenery quickly and inexpensively • shop tools and safety • scaled drawings, models and other communications tools you'll use to translate the designer's vision into a set • materials commonly used in building scenery • construction techniques for flats, platforms and other standard scenic units • installing and rigging scenery • maintaining an inventory of stock scenery Let The Stagecraft Handbook help you turn ordinary materials into extraordinary illusions.

Illustrated guide to all aspects of constructing a stage set: the four primary stage configurations - proscenium, thrust, arena and environmental; flying scenery and moving floors; organizing the scene shop; shop tools and safety; scaled drawings, models and other communications tools used to translate the designers vision into a set; materials used in building scenery; construction techniques for flats, platforms and other standard scenic units; installing and rigging scenery; maintaining an inventory of stock scenery.

Stagecraft Fundamentals Second Edition tackles every aspect of theatre production with Emmy Award-winning author Rita Kogler Carver's signature witty and engaging voice. The history of stagecraft, safety precautions, lighting, costumes, scenery, career planning tips, and more are discussed, illustrated by beautiful color examples that display step-by-step procedures and the finished product. This second edition offers even more in-demand information on stage management, drawing and drafting (both by hand and CAD), lighting fixtures, and special effects. Also new to this edition are current articles from Lighting and Sound America, brand new diagrams that illustrate hard-to-grasp concepts, and a plethora of information on European conversions, standards, and practices, making the skills you learn applicable to stage jobs on either side of the ocean! The accompanying website, www.stagecraftfundamentals.com is bursting with additional material such as an instructor's manual, CAD drawings, color theory, manufacturing information, and so much more to help you along the way as you learn all about the world of theatre production! Praise for the Book: Beautifully written! The author has succeeded in relaying technical theatre information without being too technical and putting the reader to sleep. I read three sentences and instantly knew this book was for me and the way I teach. When I think back on the insufferable intro to tech theatre books I had to read, I feel cheated I didn't have this one as a student. I will be using this text in my class! -- Rob Napoli, Designer and Technical Director at Penn State University, Berks Campus This text has temped me to return to teaching with a textbook for the first time in seven years. The language is both accessible and informal yet the text goes a long way in debunking some of the typical jargon that may alienate students just getting into the field, or trying it out for the first time. The illustrations (the text is full of them) coupled with the stories reinforce the fundamental information being conveyed. -- John Paul Devlin, Associate Professor of Theatre at Saint Michael's College What a great idea! Thank heavens someone is doing this for students at that impressionable age. That has been one of my mantras - education of teachers and students on the use of scenic materials. The teachers don't have enough time in college to learn and do everything they have to teach. Most get thrown into the theatre area by default and struggle with designing/building/painting the scenery. -- Jenny Knott, Rosco Stagecraft Fundamentals is beautifully illustrated throughout, and the pofusion of color on every page gives this textbook the appearance of a coffee table book. The writing is clear and personal, which should be very appealing to students. Rita Carver covers all aspects of theatre production from scenery, to lighting, to an actor's makeup. Her close ties to the New York theatre scene gives this book a special insight into the professional world, one that goes well beyond what is found in most college textbooks. -- John Holloway, Professor in the Theatre Department at the University of Kentucky and President of the International Association of Theatrical stage Employees (IATSE) Local 346. I can't thank you enough for Stagecraft Fundamentals. I have been teaching stagecraft since 1976 and you have saved me from the nightmare of writing a text to suit my class needs..After two semesters with your text, I have found that I had more time to develop the skills necessary within the classroom than before. The humor that you have infused in the book has enticed my students to read on. That alone makes this text invaluable. --Meta Lasch, Assistant Professor, West Liberty University

A guide to achieving professional-quality lighting within the limitations of school auditoriums, community theatres, and churches.