The Essentials of Theater

An Introduction to the World of Theater A friendly and practical guide to the stage, The Essentials of Theater will prepare actors and crew for their next show. Perfect for college students in theater programs, as well as community theater troupes, this book covers all the bases—from a brief history on theater over the centuries and basic terminology to tips on interpreting scripts, developing characters, and utilizing props. Lisa Mulcahy’s helpful explanations and examples take readers on a backstage tour, introducing the tasks and responsibilities of every participant: stage hands, sound designers, prop managers, and more. Special sections include:

• A simple guide to completing your first production project
• Worksheets and checklists to practice new skills
• Interviews with theater critics, playwrights, and sound designers
• Appendices with suggested readings, viewings, and resources for theater students

Through real-world examples and engaging activities, readers will explore every facet of the world of theater: acting, directing, playwriting, production, technical design, and more. Mulcahy even includes a chapter on innovative ways to use one’s theater education off-stage. A great resource for college theater programs and acting classes in general, The Essentials of Theater is an excellent introduction to the stage and all of its moving parts.

Lisa Mulcahy is a theater teacher, director, performer, and multimedia writer. She was cowriter and stage director of the hit off-Broadway musical Renegade Sluts on Bikes and was directed by Edward Albee in his play Malcolm. She also studied playwriting with Mr. Albee at Brandeis University. She is an award-winning journalist whose articles have been published in such magazines as Stage Directions, Teaching Theatre, Marie Claire, Glamour, Redbook, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Parade, and Seventeen, and she is a contributor to the Los Angeles Times. She is the author of Building the Successful Theater Company, Third Edition; A Life in Acting; An Actor's Guide: Your First Year in Hollywood, Fourth Edition; The Actor's Other Career Book; and Theater Festivals—all published by Allworth Press.