Reading the Material Theatre develops and demonstrates a method of theatrical performance analysis that takes into account the entire theatre experience, from production to reception. Beginning with semiotic and cultural materialist theory, Knowles quickly moves into detailed politicized analysis of the ways in which specific aspects of theatrical production, and specific contexts of reception, shape the audience's understanding of what they experience in the theatre. It concludes with five case studies of the cultural work performed by a major Shakespearean repertory theatre, a small nationalist theatre devoted to new play development, a major New York-based avant-garde touring theatre company, a British socialist company dedicated to the work of Shakespeare, and a range of international festivals. This accessible 2004 volume provides a first-step introduction to key terms and areas of performance theory, including reception history, performance analysis, and production analysis.

Transform abstract library images into living drama. Includes six chapters to explore possibilities: An introduction to Readers Theatre; Selecting and analysing literature; Adapting Readers Theatre literature; Playing space and staging; Classroom performance exercises; Sample performance scripts.

"From the University of Florida College of Fine Arts, Charlie Mitchell and distinguished colleagues form across America present an introductory text for theatre and theoretical production. This book seeks to give insight into the people and processes that create theater. It does not strip away the feeling of magic but to add wonder for the artistry that make a production work well." -- Open Textbook Library.

"An Introduction to Technical Theatre draws on the author's experience in both the theatre and the classroom over the last 30 years. Intended as a resource for both secondary and post-secondary theatre courses, this text provides a comprehensive overview of technical theatre, including terminology and general practices. Introduction to Technical Theatre's accessible format is ideal for students at all levels, including those studying technical theatre as an elective part of their education. The text's modular format is also intended to assist teachers approach the subject at their own pace and structure, a necessity for those who may regularly rearrange their syllabi around productions and space scheduling" -- From publisher website.

This book, focusing on active, engaging material, will fill a void in the literature that currently exists for these students, their teachers, and literacy coaches. Readers theatre for boys and particularly middle school boys is a publishing gap that needs to be filled. Selections have been chosen to tempt middle school boys interest (the blood and gore in Masque of the Red Death for example). Literacy remains a major topic of concern in all academic circles, especially the inadequate performance of reading and writing by boys. These scripts will entertain as they build reading fluency. Grades 6-8.

Brenda Laurel's Computers as Theatre revolutionized the field of human-computer interaction, offering ideas that inspired generations of interface and interaction designers-and continue to inspire them. Laurel's insight was that effective interface design, like effective drama, must engage the user directly in an experience involving both thought and emotion. Her practical conclusion was that a user's enjoyment must be a paramount design consideration, and this demands a deep awareness of dramatic theory and technique, both ancient and modern. Now, two decades later, Laurel has revised and revamped her influential work, reflecting back on enormous change and personal experience and forward toward emerging technologies and ideas that will transform human-computer interaction yet again. Beginning with a clear analysis of classical drama theory, Laurel explores new territory through the lens of dramatic structure and purpose. Computers as Theatre, Second Edition, is directed to a far wider audience, is written more simply and elegantly, is packed with new examples, and is replete with exciting and important new ideas. This book Draws lessons from massively multiplayer online games and systems, social networks, and mobile devices with embedded sensors Integrates values-driven design as a key principle Integrates key ideas about virtual reality Covers new frontiers, including augmented reality, distributed and participatory sensing, interactive public installations and venues, and design for emergence Once more, Brenda Laurel will help you see the connection between humans and computers as you never have before-and help you build interfaces and interactions that are pleasurably, joyously right!

Providing a clear journey through centuries of European, North and South American, African and Asian forms of theatre and performance, this introduction helps the reader think critically about this exciting field through fascinating yet plain-speaking essays and case studies.

The discovery of a stash of letters stamped with swastikas opens clues to an untold family history spanning multiple generations in The Book of Joseph – the gripping true story of resilience and truth-tracking determination spanning Baltimore and beyond. Richard Hollander’s book Every Day Lasts a Year: A Jewish Family’s Correspondence from Poland is brought to the stage in this mesmerizing new adaptation that restores a family’s uncharted legacy – celebrated by revelation and remembrance.

In this wide-ranging study, Ric Knowles demonstrates how the examination and practice of theatre is enhanced by an expanded semiotic approach. Moving from the history and theory of performance analysis to its practical application and paying particular attention to cross-cultural applications, he examines not what a particular piece of theatre means, but how meaning is produced in the process of creating, viewing and analysing theatre. How Theatre Means presents contemporary case studies and explores intersections between a wide range of theories and methods. Clear and accessible, this book brings a key analytical methodology to life for students, practitioners and scholars.

Theatre Craft is an all-encompassing, practical guide for anyone working in the theatre, from the enthusiastic amateur to the committed professional. With entries arranged alphabetically, Theatre Craft offers advice on all areas of directing, from Acting, Adaptation, and Accent to Sound Effects, Superstition, Trap Doors and Wardrobe. Enlightening and entertaining by turns, the celebrated director John Caird shares his profound knowledge of the stage to provide an invaluable companion to anyone creating a play, musical or opera. Whatever the theatre space - the backroom of a bar, a studio theatre, or the biggest stages of the West End or Broadway - this authoritative volume is an essential reference tool for the modern theatre practitioner. Internationally renowned theatre director John Caird has directed and adapted countless productions of plays, operas, and musicals for the Royal Shakespeare Company, London's National Theatre, in the West End, and on Broadway-from Les Misérables and Nicholas Nickleby to Hamlet and Peter Pan.