Technical Theater for Nontechnical People (Fourth Edition)

by Drew Campbell, Joel Brandwine

• ISBN13: 9781621538578
• ISBN10: 1621538575
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2026-06-09
• Publisher: Allworth
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

Understand every aspect of technical theater––from scenery, lighting, and sound, to props, costumes, and stage management.

Not everyone who wants to make theater is a natural engineer, visual artist, or technician. For more than two decades, Technical Theater for Nontechnical People has been the go-to resource for theater artists who need to understand the technical aspects of their craft without becoming lost in them. In this thoroughly revised fourth edition, the popular guide adds a new chapter on video production and enhances its coverage of digital audio, LED lighting, and show control systems, all explained in the same approachable style that has kept this book in the pockets of industry professionals and amateurs alike for many years. 

Every chapter has been updated with more information about the basics of theater tech, including updated tools for lighting and sound, draperies, lighting instruments, microphones, costumes, and more. This fourth edition also includes the following foundational topics for a successful production:

• Who’s who on a theatrical production team
• What is needed to know about technical theater and why
• What to look for when choosing a space for a show
• How to communicate with lighting, scenery, audio, and costume designers
• How to stage manage effectively
• How to get your show on stage, starting from just an idea to final curtain on Opening Night

Covering both traditional and digitally supported backstage environments, this book is an essential guide for working with every technical aspect of theater!

Author Biography

Drew Campbell has been in the entertainment business as a technician, designer, director, producer, and teacher for over forty years. He has worked in live theater, dance, opera, fashion shows, conventions, sports, horse shows, and theme parks all over the US and in a dozen foreign countries, as well as teaching at the high school and university levels. He is the author of a series of technical books for nontechnical people as well as a cookbook for single guys (but he’s married now).

Joel Brandwine is an assistant professor and head of the technical production program at Boston University. He has been working as a technical director, production carpenter, automation technician, and rigger for over 25 years. His Broadway credits include Jersey Boys, American Idiot, Legally Blonde, and Evita. His touring and production credits include Riverdance (production manager for the 30th Anniversary Tour and production carpenter for the 25th Anniversary Tour), Queen of Versailles (Boston), Moulin Rouge (Boston), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Blast, and Jersey Boys. During his time in New York, Joel worked at some of the premier Off-Broadway stages such as Second Stage, New York Theatre Workshop, The Signature Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company, Manhattan Theatre Club, and The Atlantic Theatre Company. He was the technical director at Cedar Lake Dance Company and the shop foreman at the Julliard School. Additional credits include Williamstown Theatre Festival, Maine State Music Theatre, The Huntington Theatre Company, American Repertory Theatre, PRG, The Silk Road Ensemble, and Holland America Cruise Lines through Showman Fabricators. Before Boston University, he taught Stage Craft at Purchase College.