"First courses in the world of theatrical design and production, like the art they introduce, come in a bewildering array of shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. Some students receive their introduction to this subject area in a general overview course that covers the design and production elements of scenery, costumes, lighting, and sound in a single semester. Other students may enjoy the luxury of an entire year in which to discuss the same material. Still others may take individual courses that specialize in the theory and craft of the separate areas that comprise the field of theatrical design and technical production. The course content is very flexible indeed. To create a text that will serve the needs of all these courses is a distinct challenge. I've tried to rise to that challenge by organizing the material in two ways. The chapters appear in a logical sequence, but each chapter is also an island of information that can stand alone. My hope is that this organization will enable each instructor to pick and choose the type and amount of material that is appropriate for his or her particular course. This type of organization also makes the text a useful reference for students to keep throughout their design and technical production careers"--

Get the complete, illustrated guide to scenery construction Using nails and wood, fabric and paint, hardware and rigging, you create an illusion. You build the make-believe world of the play. Now you have a scene-shop manual to help you. In The Stagecraft Handbook, Daniel A. Ionazzi, director of production for the UCLA Department of Theater, offers trap-room-to-grid guidance. Clearly written, heavily illustrated, this book covers every aspect of scenery construction. Turn here and learn about: • the four primary stage configurations–proscenium, thrust, arena and environmental • flying scenery and moving floors • organizing the scene shop to make good scenery quickly and inexpensively • shop tools and safety • scaled drawings, models and other communications tools you'll use to translate the designer's vision into a set • materials commonly used in building scenery • construction techniques for flats, platforms and other standard scenic units • installing and rigging scenery • maintaining an inventory of stock scenery Let The Stagecraft Handbook help you turn ordinary materials into extraordinary illusions.