Praise for the Book

A few months ago a friend excitedly told me about a new book written by Rita Kogler Carver called Stagecraft Fundamentals. My first impression was, wow! it’s big. My second impressions was, wow! it’s beautiful. This book makes an excellent classroom resource or a reference book for theatre professionals. I know I will keep mine close and hand and reference it often.
–Richard Cadena, author of Electricity for Entertainment Electricians & Technicians and Automated Lighting: The Art and Science of Moving Light, and freelance lighting designer.

Beautifully written! The author has succeeded in relaying technical theatre information without being too technical and putting the reader to sleep. I read three sentences and instantly knew this book was for me and the way I teach. When I think back on the insufferable intro to tech theatre books I had to read, I feel cheated I didn’t have this one as a student. I will be using this text in my class!

— Rob Napoli, Designer and Technical Director at Penn State University, Berks Campus

This text has temped me to return to teaching with a textbook for the first time in seven years. The language is both accessible and informal yet the text goes a long way in debunking some of the typical jargon that may alienate students just getting into the field, or trying it out for the first time. The illustrations (the text is full of them) coupled with the stories reinforce the fundamental information being conveyed.

— John Paul Devlin, Associate Professor of Theatre at Saint Michael’s College

What a great idea! Thank heavens someone is doing this for students at that impressionable age. That has been one of my mantras – education of teachers and students on the use of scenic materials. The teachers don’t have enough time in college to learn and do everything they have to teach. Most get thrown into the theatre area by default and struggle with designing/building/painting the scenery.

— Jenny Knott, Rosco

Stagecraft Fundamentals is beautifully illustrated throughout, and the profusion of color on every page gives this textbook the appearance of a coffee table book. The writing is clear and personal, which should be very appealing to students. Rita Carver covers all aspects of theatre production from scenery, to lighting, to an actor’s makeup. Her close ties to the New York theatre scene gives this book a special insight into the professional world, one that goes well beyond what is found in most college textbooks.

— John Holloway, Professor in the Theatre Department at the University of Kentucky and President of the International Association of Theatrical stage Employees (IATSE) Local 346 I can’t thank you enough for Stagecraft Fundamentals.

I have been teaching stagecraft since 1976 and you have saved me from the nightmare of writing a text to suit my class needs..After two semesters with your text, I have found that I had more time to develop the skills necessary within the classroom than before. The humor that you have infused in the book has enticed my students to read on. That alone makes this text invaluable.

–Meta Lasch, Assistant Professor, West Liberty University