Technical Theater for Nontechnical People

This is a wonderful book, but did you know there's a revised 2004 edition available? Click on "Paperback (2nd)" so you can get the most updated information on this subject.

Very practical and straightforward. An essential tool for anyone starting in theater as it discusses the very basic materials for survival in the trade. Theater old timers will also like the book for the numerous sample situations (anecdotes) included. The book went beyond academic and in fact, is more experiential in content. It's a balance blend of terminologies, systems and case studies.

Simply put, this is the most helpful book on the technical side of theater I have ever read. Mr. Campbell is a rare individual. Although a technician, he has written a sympathetic and yet extremely informative book on lighting, sound, stage terminology, etc. The amount of really usefull information in the book is astounding. I am a high school drama teacher, and I think this book should be in the library of every theater teacher and theater student. No other book I've read so clearly explains the essentials one needs to know about the technical craft of theater. If you are a person who doesn't want a book where the author is trying to show what an expert he or she is and what an idiot you are, then Drew Campbell's book is just the one for you. He is an expert who understands his job is to help those of us who aren't. Bravo for this book. I hope Mr. Campbell keeps writing on theater. We can use his knowledge, wit, and empathy. Five stars for this book, and a few thrown in for the actor with glass in his butt telling jokes on the way to the hospital. Thanks for a great book.

This book is really a blessing to anyone trying to learn a little about everything in theater, or to folks trying to bridge the communication gap. The chapter that compares electricity to the Seattle Fish Market is classic! Every theater technician and artist should have a copy of this book in their personal library. Artists will have a concrete tool in communicating with technicians, and technicians will be able to better explain their art to the less technically minded.

It's better than sliced Cheesballs! Really, I've spent a bunch of time trying to describe technical issues to non-tech people. I usually see their eyes glaze over in the first few moments. Mr. Campbell's book is a god-send.Kevin-John Black