The Making of Theatre History

I first became aware of this awesome book when I was majoring in Theatre Scene Design..."The Making of Theatre History" was being used not only for the Theatre History course needed for the humanities requirement, but for Theatre majors. I am here to say that this book is far more than "just" a college textbook. This book is a gem for anyone who loves theatre. Theatre. From the time man began doing more than drawing pictures on the walls of caves, theatre has been with us all the way, and Paul Kuritz has done a splendid job of detailing it. NOT in some kind of BORING textbook words, no, but in ways that makes one WANT to learn MORE. In the first chapter Mr. Kuritz defines WHAT theatre is. I was blown away--I mean here I was, a theatre design major and had never really considered WHAT theatre was, beyond actors on a stage. Folks, theatre is much MORE. Theatre is social...theatre and society go hand in hand thoroughout a rich long history. Mr. Kuritz takes us from Classical Theatre to Asian Theatre to Medieval and Renaissance Theatre to Modern Theatre-chronologically focusing on every aspect of theatre throughout the course of world history. He leaves nothing out. Everything from costume, to stage design, to acting, to theatre layout, to lighting, to the audiences are detailed within each period. He focuses upon the social aspects of theatre during each period, how events in the course of history have affected theatre, and how theatre affected events, both large and small. Though the book is well illustrated, it still lacks a bit in this regard, but if it's pictures you're after, then I would recommend either "The Oxford Illustrated History Of Theatre," or a huge "coffee table book," called "Theatre In America." But if it's theatre history you're after, I would definitely recommend "The Making Of Theatre History!"