Play Director's Survival Kit: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Producing Theater in Any School or Community Setting

by James W. Rodgers, Wanda C. Rodgers

This expansive guide covers the where, when, and how for every step of school play production, including play selection and adaptation, auditions, casting and dealing with disappointed students, budgeting, coaching actors, setting up a production team, rehearsals, publicity, and promotion.

Genres: Theatre, Nonfiction, Reference

Paperback

First published April 19, 1995

Reviews

[Emily]

I learned alot from it not just about play directing. It talked about how to choose plays what to consider there, not only what you want to do, budget, audience, etc. It talked about how to market you show. Talked about casting and things like that.
I really wish that I could take this book, maybe change the title a little and give it to some people in theater companies I have worked with and say hey look what you can learn if you just try. This is the way to write a press release and what it needs, here are some other advertising ideas. This is how you choose a play you don't just always get to do what you want here are other factors to consider. I really wish I could pass on this info.

[Dan Blackley]

This is a comprehensive book for people that are learning to become directors. As an educator, I found it very helpful for a lot of the information about how to put on productions as well as how to build sets at other things with that nature. However, if you have experience this book does offer very little. It’s mostly for the beginner.

[Shannon]

This is a great book! It has been a huge help to me as I direct my first play this summer. It takes you through EVERYTHING...play selection, running auditions, casting, running rehearsals, set design, props, sound, lights, costumes, makeup, blocking, developing your character, tickets, posters, publicity, program layout, backstage etiquette, and more! I am also on the board of our local theatre group so even when not directing specifically, this helps us make sure we've covered everything.