Technical theater for nontechnical people / Drew Campbell ; illustrations by Kis Knekt.

Bibliogr. p.[263]-264. Index.

Introduction : Why this book -- General notes -- 1. Breaking it down: who does what : Costumes ; Props ; Lighting ; Sound ; Stage management ; Scenery -- 2. Touring a new space: what to look for : Is this the right space for you? ; Space for stuff ; Space for people ; The rigging system ; Masking ; The lighting system ; The sound system ; Monitors and headsets -- 3. Scenic design: space, texture, and the "big statement" : The big picture: the statement ; How to read a script like a set designer ; The backstage survival guide to reading a floorplan ; Texture and color : giving the show a "look" -- 4. The tools of scenery: surface, texture, and tricks : A place to stand: platforms, stairs, and ramps ; A surface to look at: walls, drapes, paint, and fabric ; Real things: doors, windows, and so on ; Moving stuff around: gripping, rolling, and flying ; The backstage survival guide to scene-change choreography ; Playing with the audience: special effects and illusions -- 5. Lighting design: illumination, mood, and focus : Illumination: first and foremost ; Motivational light: time, place, and season ; Mood and atmosphere: angles and color ; Creating focus: specials and follow spots ; Where the show is (and isn't): house lights and actors in the audience ; Moving the show forward: cues, timing, and blackouts ; Lighting for dance ; Lighting for musicals ; Lighting for fashion ; Video lighting ; Lighting for rock-and-roll -- 6. The tools of lighting: now you see it : The birds and the bees: where does power come from? ; Protecting yourself ; Highways and byways: outlets and plugs ; Taming the beast: dimmers and control consoles ; The real workers: lighting instruments ; Intelligent lighting instruments ; Fluorescent lighting ; Special effects lighting ; Color my world: the joy of filters ; Putting it in the theater: lighting positions -- 7. Costume design: character, period, and function : Character ; Period ; Function ; The costume sketch -- 8. The tools of costumes: shopping, draping, and stitching : Building ; Buying ; Renting ; Pulling ; Fittings and measurements ; Fabric augmentation ; Dealing with hair ; One final note -- 9. Sound design: audible atmosphere : The signal chain ; Microphones: the testy toddlers of sound ; The backstage survival guide to keeping microphones happy ; Other sources: tape decks, CDs, DAT ; Mixers: telling the sound where to go ; Effects processing: sound sculpting ; Amplification: we're going to pump you up ; Speakers: the bottom line -- 10. Show control: why can't we all get along? : Synchronous versus asynchronous ; Event-based versus time-based ; Interfaces ; Dedicated show-control computers ; MIDI show control ; PC versus PLC ; Entertainment protocols -- 11. Properties: research, detail, and crafts : The artisan ; The detailer ; The researcher ; Making the prop list: when to buy, borrow, or build ; Setting up the prop list ; Furniture: why the stage isn't like real life ; Weapons: safety and proper handling ; Handling props during the show: prop tables -- 12. Stage management: the best port in a storm : Communication: the central issue ; From coffee shop to load-out: schedules ; Lists and lists and lists of lists ; Preparing the rehearsal space and running rehearsals ; The actors' backstage survival guide to tech rehearsal ; Opening night and the run ; The payoff: calling the show -- 13. Corporate theater: how to do a show in a hotel : Lighting: trees, trusses, and the demon track light ; Sound: plug and play, or truck it in ; Scenery: four feet by whatever ; Projectors and projection systems ; Playing twenty (or more) questions: things to ask and to know -- 14. The essentials: things you should know and things you should own ; Things every theater person should know ; Things every show person should own ; Things every show place should own -- In closing -- Glossary.