The Complete Idiot's Guide to Amateur Theatricals

A wonderful book for those looking for some theatre basics. The logistics planning sections are great. The extra references in the appendices are very useful. The budget management section is a bit short and lacks some more details. However, the book accomplishes what it needed to: give the reader a good first glance at the complex world of producing a theatre play.

I got all the help i needed to build an amateur theatre company from the book. From choosing the plays to putting a winning team together to financing a show to licensing issues to working with actors and crew to scenic design, lighting, costumes, rehearsals, the whole enchilada. It even has a sample production calendar, a week-by-week schedule. It tackles everything from assembling a team to auditions to strike set. And it gives a list of licensing companies and the corresponding musicals/plays. I like the little sidebars too. GREMLINS gives out warnings. BACKSTAGE WHISPERS gives you useful insider tips. ON STAGE gives you real-life theatrical events. DEF-I-NI-TION of course defines theatrical terms most amateurs are unfamiliar with. Then there's the appendix which gives you suggested readings (where i got the titles of the other books i purchased) and online resources (for actors, directors, and a list of theatrical suppliers)

Oh how I wish this book had been around when I first became involved in community youth theatre! It clearly lays out essential information for any amateur working in theatre - or anyone working with amateurs in theatre. It covers everything from getting started to cleanup, with specific and practical discussions of all aspects of financing, organizing, mounting and enjoying this wonderful participatory art form. Very worthwhile.