Introduction to Production

Introduction to Production

by Robert I. Sutherland-Cohen
Released September 2017
Publisher(s): Routledge
ISBN: 9781317211761

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Book description

Introduction to Production: Creating Theatre Onstage, Backstage, & Offstage defines the collaborative art of making theatre and the various job positions that go into realizing a production. Beginning with an overview of the art and industry of theatre, the book shows how theatre has evolved through history. The book then breaks down the nuts and bolts of the industry by looking at each professional role within it: from the topmost position of the producer down to the gopher, or production assistant. Each of these positions are defined along with their respective duties, rules, and resources that figure in obtaining these jobs. Each chapter offers exercises, links to videos and websites, review quizzes, and suggested readings to learn more about the creation and production of theatre.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Half Title
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright Page
  5. Dedication
  6. Table of Contents
  7. Acknowledgments
  8. Foreword by Peter Lawrence, Tony Award-Winning Stage Manager
  9. Preface
  10. Chapter 1: Production and Backstage Organization
    1. Defining Theatre Production
    2. A Little Bit of Theatre History
    3. Theatre Configurations
      1. Amphitheater
      2. Proscenium
      3. Thrust Stage or ¾ Stage
      4. Theatre-in-the-Round or Arena Theatre
      5. Black Box
      6. Site-Specific Theatre
    4. Style Advantages and Disadvantages
    5. Theatre Facility Layout
    6. Understanding Theatre Facility Layout: The Camelot Theatre
    7. What Did You Learn?
    8. Related Exercises
    9. Additional Resources
  11. Chapter 2: Producing Theatre
    1. The Role of the Producer
    2. Read the Play
    3. Securing or Licensing the Property
    4. Budgeting for and Financing a Production
    5. Production Budget
    6. Weekly Operating Budget
    7. Finding a Theatre
      1. Budget
      2. Size
      3. Suitability
    8. The Theatre Ticket
    9. What Did You Learn?
    10. Additional Resources
  12. Chapter 3: Management
    1. The Role of the Business Manager and/or General Manager
    2. Read the Play
    3. Collective Bargaining Agreements and Unions
    4. Company Manager
    5. Publicity and/or Press Agent
    6. The Sandbox Window Card
    7. Programs
    8. Commercial Marketing and Ticket Sales
    9. Not-for-Profit Marketing
    10. What Did You Learn?
    11. Additional Resources
  13. Chapter 4: Creating Theatre
    1. The Role of the Playwright
    2. A Short Review of Playwriting
    3. Playwriting Awards
    4. The Dramatists Guild and Royalties
    5. The Dramaturg and Playwright in Rehearsal
    6. Musical Theatre Creators: Librettist, Composer, and Lyricist
    7. Rehearsals
    8. ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and Royalties
    9. Relating to the Other Members on the Organizational Chart
    10. Can You Match the Playwright?
    11. What Did You Learn?
    12. Additional Resources
  14. Chapter 5: The Creative Team
    1. The Role of the Director
    2. A Brief Overview of Directing
    3. Staging a Performance
    4. The Director’s Vision: Concept and Style
      1. Concept
      2. Style
      3. Basics of Directing
        1. Composition
        2. Picturization
        3. Movement
        4. Rhythm
        5. Pantomimic Dramatization
      4. Blocking
    5. A Musical Production
    6. The Music Department
      1. The Music Director
      2. The Choreographer
      3. Casting by the Creative Team
      4. The Creative Team in Rehearsals
    7. Additional Creative Team Members
    8. Health and Safety
    9. What Did You Learn?
    10. Additional Resources
  15. Chapter 6: The Creative Artists
    1. Adhering to the Director’s Vision
    2. Scenic Design
    3. A Short History of Costume Design
    4. Costume Design
      1. Costume Design Exercise
    5. A Short History of Lighting Design
    6. Lighting Design
      1. Lighting Design Exercise
    7. A Short History of Sound Design
    8. Sound Design
    9. The Design Team in Rehearsal and Budgeting
    10. Unions
    11. What Did You Learn?
    12. Additional Resources
  16. Chapter 7: Implementing the Designs
    1. Ancillary Designers
    2. Properties or Prop Designer
    3. Costume Design Contributors
      1. Hair and Wig Designer
      2. Makeup Designer
      3. Mask Designer
      4. Hat Designer (Milliner)
      5. Shoe Designer
    4. Design Assistants
      1. Assistant Scenic Designers
      2. Assistant Lighting Designers
      3. Additional Assistant Designers
    5. What Did You Learn?
    6. Additional Resources
  17. Chapter 8: Production Supervisors
    1. The Transition Team
      1. Production Managers
      2. Stage Managers
        1. Pre-Production
        2. General Rehearsals
        3. Technical Rehearsals
        4. Dress Rehearsals
        5. Performances
        6. Post Production
      3. Technical Directors
      4. Transition Team Assistants
      5. Assistant Stage Managers
      6. Production Assistants
    2. What Did You Learn?
    3. Additional Resources
  18. Chapter 9: Production Crews
    1. Stagehands
      1. Carpenters
      2. Flypersons
      3. Properties (Prop) Persons
    2. Electricians and Sound Engineers
      1. Followspot Operators
    3. Costume Department
    4. The Dream Assembled
    5. Stage Managers
    6. Additional Resources
  19. Chapter 10: Front of House
    1. House Management
      1. House Management and the Production
      2. House Management and the House Crew
      3. House Management and the Box Office
      4. House Management and Security
      5. House Management and Engineering
      6. House Management and Ushers
      7. House Management and Concessionaires
      8. House Management and Custodians
    2. What Did You Learn?
    3. Additional Resources
  20. Chapter 11: The Performers/Afterwords
    1. The Performers
      1. The Producer
      2. The General Manager
      3. The Company Manager
      4. The Publicity Department
      5. The Creative and Artistic Teams
      6. The Creative Artists and Assistants
      7. The Stage Management Team
      8. The Production Crew
      9. Front-of-House Personnel
    2. Afterwords
    3. Production Crossword Puzzle
    4. What Did You Learn?
    5. Additional Resources
    6. Crossword Puzzle Answers
  21. Index

Product information

  • Title: Introduction to Production
  • Author(s): Robert I. Sutherland-Cohen
  • Release date: September 2017
  • Publisher(s): Routledge
  • ISBN: 9781317211761