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  • 1.  Stage Craft/Technical Theatre Textbook

    Posted 11-25-2014 14:59
    Hello All!
    I'm looking for thoughts on the various options available as Technical Theatre/StageCraft Text Books.  I am looking for a book for a 9-12th grade course.  We are a growing program but I do have a shop with some tools available for our use.  In the past this course was simply a labor force for the production of the school's shows.  I want the students to also have curriculum and introduce students to multiple aspects of technical theatre.  

    Options I see available
    -BackStage Handbook 
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0911747397/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=1944687702&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1566080622&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=19GDEHH0WGJ5STKYVVME
    -StageCraft Fundamentals http://www.amazon.com/Stagecraft-Fundamentals-Second-Theatrical-Production/dp/0240820517/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416945452&sr=1-2&keywords=stagecraft&pebp=1416945493322
    -StageCraft 1 http://www.amazon.com/Stagecraft-Complete-Guide-Backstage-Work/dp/1566080622
    -The stagecraft handbook http://www.amazon.com/Stagecraft-Handbook-Daniel-Ionazzi/dp/1558704043/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416945452&sr=1-1&keywords=stagecraft&pebp=1416945455285

    From those of you that have used any of these, what was successful or not as much?  What would you recommend? How did your students connect with the books?

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    Aileen Zeigler
    Theatre Arts Director
    Omaha NE
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  • 2.  RE: Stage Craft/Technical Theatre Textbook

    Posted 11-26-2014 07:25

    Hi,

    In regard to improving your students skills, are you seeking books for yourself as a resource or an actual text for the class? If for the class, the Stagecraft Fundamentals likely would serve well as would Technical Theatre for Non-Technical People. The Backstage Handbook is more of a reference, and a very good one, but not a text for the class. Any and all of the texts would be of valuable for your own library and I would add 
    the Stock Scenery Handbook by Bill Raoul.

    For the most part, the texts available may be too advanced for many high school students as they were written for college level students. 

    You can, as skills go, utilize your equipment manuals for your light board, sound board, etc. to develop lessons and then augment them with Internet based readings on various concepts.

    Best wishes,

    Dana


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    Dana Taylor
    MSD of Mt. Vernon
    Evansville IN
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    Original Message