-
Over 25,000 performances are put on every year, with over 400,000 people actively participating (127,000 of them being under 21) and with a total audience in excess of 7,000,000
|
-
A complete introduction for all individuals and groups wishing to undertake the production of a play, offering a step-by-step guide through the production of a play from setting up a drama group to the first night
|
-
Includes excerpts and quotes from leading drama practitioners
|
-
Contains practical advice on funding, costume and props, set and scenery design, lighting and sound, and advertising
|
-
Provides sample rehearsal schedules and sample plans for blocking scenes
|
'an invaluable, one-stop resource, for individuals and groups, and for amateur stage enthusiasts and students alike
'
- National Operatic and Dramatic Association News
Plays...And How to Produce Them provides a basic introduction for all individuals and groups wishing to undertake the production of a play. It is aimed at the amateur enthusiast and anyone intending to pursue their interest further and undertake professional training.
The author, who has over 30 years of experience in drama, takes the reader through the production of a play step by step, from setting up a drama group to the first night and entire run. The book can be read straight through or consulted as a handy reference work.
Includes sections on starting a drama group, financing, organising and attracting members; choosing a director, choosing plays, auditions and casting; stage management, lighting, sound, costume, props, and prompting; music and choreography; choosing a venue, and designing and building sets; rehearsing and rehearsal schedules; actors' games and exercises, and make-up; publicity and media coverage; technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, first nights, last nights, get-ins and get-outs.
Additional sections deal with special concerns and interests: producing plays in the open air; schools productions; producing plays with non-English speakers; expatriate productions; plays without scripts; producing Shakespeare and Brecht. The resources section includes plentiful information about helpful drama organisations.
| release date: |
January 2009 |
| price: |
£12.99 |
| ISBN13: |
9781842432204 |
| binding: |
paperback |
| format: |
194 X 135mm with flaps |
| extent: |
168 |
| images: |
|
| rights: |
world |
| BIC code: |
ATG |
Dr. David Carter has taught at several UK universities and presently teaches at Yonsei University, Seoul. He has published on psychoanalysis, literature, drama, film history and applied linguistics, and is also a freelance writer and journalist. He has more than 30 years experience with amateur drama, as actor, director and for many years as chairman of a leading group in the South of England. He has written Pocket Essentials on Georges Simenon, Literary Theory and Kamera Books on East Asian Cinema and the forthcoming The Western
REVIEWS
a wonderful addition to the reference library
read the full review >>
- National Operatic and Dramatic Association News
FULL REVIEW
From starting a drama group to surviving the opening night - this step-by-step guide is an essential introduction to the art of stagecraft and amateur theatrical production.
It is often easy to become complacent when involved with amateur theatre. We know our own venue, we know how things work, and we know what our audience and society members want. However, into this equation sometimes creep bad habits. So, when picking up this book, I was delighted to see that many of my ideas are confirmed and yet other suggestions are made of which I think, ‘Now, why didn’t I think of that?’
For newcomers to amateur theatre production it is an invaluable resource.
Members who attend the NODA Summer Schools and other workshops always learn a lot and come back to their respective societies with a renewed enthusiasm.
This book is a wonderful addition to the reference library because it covers such a wide variety of essential topics and it serves as an aid-memoire when preparing for the next show. It is packed with practical ideas and easy-to-follow advice, and is an invaluable, one-stop resource, for individuals and groups, and for amateur stage enthusiasts and students alike.
National Operatic and Dramatic Association News
a comprehensive and clear checklist for anyone putting on their first play, and it's a useful work to dip into for the slightly more experienced producer - a great comfort title.
read the full review >>
- Laura Silverman, whatsonstage.com
FULL REVIEW
Getting the pitch right for a beginners' guide is almost impossible: what one person will see as obvious, another may well have missed. This book, however, is a comprehensive and clear checklist for anyone putting on their first play, and it's a useful work to dip into for the slightly more experienced producer who feels less confident in technical areas. The diverse range of topics includes sorting out finance, choosing a play, learning lines and even organising an after-show party. I particularly liked the illustrations of types of lighting, though the extra material on the internet was disappointing. Having a ready-to-use sheet on costume measurements and a rehearsal schedule ready to download and fill in is a fabulous idea, but they looked a little pedestrian. Overall, though, this is a great comfort title.
Laura Silverman
whatsonstage.com