Working Together In Theatre

Robert Cohen draws on fifty years of acting, directing and teaching experience in order to illustrate how the world's great theatre artists combine collaboration with leadership at all levels, from a production's conception to its final performance. This book challenges the notion that creating brilliant theatrical productions requires tyrannical directors or temperamental designers. Viewing the theatrical production process from the perspectives of the producer, director, playwright, actor, designer, stage manager, dramaturg and crew person, Cohen provides the techniques, exercises and language that promote successful collaborative skills in the theatre. Collaboration is vital to successful theatre making and Working Together in Theatre is the first book to show how leadership and collaboration can be combined to make every theatrical production far greater than the sum of its many parts.

Robert Cohen draws on fifty years of acting, directing and teaching experience in order to illustrate how the world's great theatre artists combine collaboration with leadership at all levels, from a production's conception to its final performance. This book challenges the notion that creating brilliant theatrical productions requires tyrannical directors or temperamental designers. Viewing the theatrical production process from the perspectives of the producer, director, playwright, actor, designer, stage manager, dramaturg and crew person, Cohen provides the techniques, exercises and language that promote successful collaborative skills in the theatre. Collaboration is vital to successful theatre making and Working Together in Theatre is the first book to show how leadership and collaboration can be combined to make every theatrical production far greater than the sum of its many parts.

"Production Collaboration in the Theatre reveals the ingredients of proven successful collaborations in academic and professional theatre training, where respect, trust, and inclusivity are encouraged and roles are defined with a clear and unified vision. Garnering research from conversations with over 100 theatre professionals on Broadway and in Regional and Educational Theatre, the authors provide multiple approaches to working together that are designed to help students and teachers of theatre discover and develop the collaborative tools that work best for them. Each chapter offers practical application with discussion prompts from real-life scenarios to practice and develop critical problem-solving skills necessary for theatre artists to navigate common collaboration challenges. Compelling topical case studies and insightful interviews invite readers to explore the principles of collaboration and inspire them to build joyful, equitable, and collaborative relationships in academic and professional settings. Production Collaboration for the Theatre offers theatre faculty and students a practical approach to developing interpersonal skills necessary for a lifetime career in collaborating in the theatre. An ideal resource for actors, directors, designers and production teams, this book provides theatre artists in training with an opportunity to develop their collaborative style that will guide and support the longevity of a successful career"--

Production Collaboration in the Theatre reveals the ingredients of proven successful collaborations in academic and professional theatre training, where respect, trust, and inclusivity are encouraged and roles are defined with a clear and unified vision. Garnering research from conversations with over 100 theatre professionals on Broadway and in regional and educational theatre, the authors provide multiple approaches to working together that are designed to help students and teachers of theatre discover and develop the collaborative tools that work best for them. Each chapter offers practical application with discussion prompts from real-life scenarios to practice and develop the critical problem-solving skills necessary for theatre artists to navigate common collaboration challenges. Compelling topical case studies and insightful interviews invite readers to explore the principles of collaboration and inspire them to build joyful, equitable, and collaborative relationships in academic and professional settings. Production Collaboration for the Theatre offers theatre faculty and students a practical approach to developing the interpersonal skills necessary for a lifetime career in collaboration in the theatre. An ideal resource for actors, directors, designers, and production teams, this book provides theatre artists in training with an opportunity to develop their collaborative style in a way that will guide and support the longevity of a successful career.

Creating innovative products and game-changing processes, and adapting to new cultures and communication styles, have all become imperative for business survival. Today’s business leaders, from Fortune 500 companies on down, have discovered the value of improvisational theatre techniques to develop creativity and collaboration skills they need.Since publication of its seminal first edition, the principles and techniques pioneered in Training to Imagine have been widely adopted by organizations around the world, and have given rise to the field of Applied Improvisation. This new edition builds on the characteristics that made it the most comprehensive and most easy-to-apply resource for using improv in organizations. As before, this book translates the theories and exercises of improv into language that is familiar to business culture, and provides guidelines, case studies and exercises intended for use by individuals for self-development, for small groups, and for facilitation by corporate trainers.This revised edition places more emphasis on the development of leadership, in particular adding activities designed for individuals to develop skills on their own, or outside formal training environments. It builds upon what has been learned since 2001, presenting examples of practice, and research on the methods, that have proven to be most effective in the workplace. Kat Koppett has added a whole new section on instructional design to help users make informed choices in selecting activities to best support their objectives and corporate context, as well as numerous new exercises.This is a vital resource for trainers, executives, and leaders at all levels who want to increase their personal communication and creativity skills, and in inspire and motivate their teams. The enhanced e-book edition will incorporate video of sample activities and exercises, as well as interviews with leading Applied Improv practitioners. This material will also be available free on the Stylus Web site.

"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.

"I cannot think of a better book for aspiring and working actors, craftspeople, artists, and managers" Kent Thompson, Artistic Director, Denver Center Theatre Company, Past President TCG Board of Directors "It's time for a new look at the complexity and richness of America's growing theatrical landscapre and Jim Volz is just the person to provide that overview" Lesley Schisgall Currier, Managing Director, Marin Shakespeare Company Working in American Theatre is a coast-to-coast overview of the opportunities awaiting theatre practitioners in every discipline. Featuring tips from America's top theatre professionals, this resource offers job-search and career-planning strategies, as well as detailed information on over 1,000 places to work in the American theatre, including regional companies, Broadway and commerical theatre, Shakespeare festivals, touring theatres, university/resident theatres, youth and children's theatres, and outdoor theatres. Offering an overview of the evolution of American theatre and behind-the-scenes stories of the regional movement, this single volume is an indispensable tool at every stage of your career.

Packed full of drama games, ideas and suggestions, Drama Menu is a unique new resource for drama teachers.

This collection of Applied Improvisation stories and strategies draws back the curtain on an exciting, innovative, growing field of practice and research that is changing the way people lead, create, and collaborate. Applied Improvisation is the umbrella term widely used to denote the application of improvised theatre's theories, tenets, games, techniques, and exercises beyond conventional theatre spaces, to foster the growth and/or development of flexible structures, new mindsets, and a range of inter and intra-personal skills required in today's volatile and uncertain world. This edited collection offers one of the first surveys of the range of practice, featuring 12 in-depth case studies by leading Applied Improvisation practitioners and a foreword by Phelim McDermott and Lee Simpson. The contributors in this anthology are professional Applied Improvisation facilitators working in sectors as diverse as business, social science, theatre, education, law, and government. All have experienced the power of improvisation, have a driving need to share those experiences, and are united in the belief that improvisation can positively transform just about all human activity. Each contributor describes their practice, integrates feedback from clients, and includes a workbook component outlining some of the exercises used in their case study to give facilitators and students a model for their own application. This book will serve as a valuable resource for both experienced and new Applied Improvisation facilitators seeking to develop leaders and to build resilient communities, innovative teams, and vibrant organizations. For theatre practitioners, educators, and students, it opens up a new realm of practice and work.

Inspired by the much-loved classic Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild, Into the Spotlight is a magical new story from bestselling author and acclaimed performer Carrie Hope Fletcher. Brilliant Aunt Maude visits seasides the world over and has become quite the pebble collector. Pebbles of all shapes, sizes and colours and even one that looked a bit like Elvis Presley if you squinted a bit. Her favourite pebbles, however, are Marigold, Mabel and Morris. One by one, and by strange and unusual ways, each child arrives at the stage door of Brilliant Aunt Maude's theatre in the heart of London, home to an extraordinary cast of performers. There's Dante the miraculous magician, Petunia the storyteller and seventy-year-old contortionists - the Fortune Sisters! But ticket sales are dwindling and the curtains might have to close - for the final time. Until one day, as the Pebbles are exploring the many nooks and crannies of the theatre, they stumble upon something they were never meant to find . . . something that just might save the theatre after all . . .