The Focal Press Theatre Books collection contains 72 practical and vocational stagecraft titles from renowned theatre studies imprint Focal Press. Through an array of guides, handbooks, toolkits, and masterclasses, this collection is an invaluable resource for those taking practical courses relating to the theatre industry, whether in front of the curtain or behind the scenes.

Discover some of the highlights within the key topic areas of this collection:

Theatre Design & Photography

• Automated Lighting and Stage Lighting cover the concepts, procedures, and guidelines needed to ensure a successful production.
• Theatre & Stage Photography guides both basic and experienced photographers through the process of accurately documenting theatrical events.
• Sound and Music for the Theatre covers each phase of a theatrical production and traces the process of sound design from initial concept through to implementation.
• Unmasking Theatre Design: A Designer's Guide to Finding Inspiration and Cultivating Creativity reveals how creative designers think in order to create unique works.
• Media Design and Technology for Live Entertainment guides the reader through the principles of projection and video design for live performances.
• The second edition of the 2000 Golden Pen Award-Winner Structural Design for the Stage is an invaluable reference text for serious theatre technicians.

Costume Design & Makeup

• Theatrical Makeup: Basic Application and The Foundations of Stage Makeup clearly and concisely explain the basics of theatrical makeup techniques.
• Unbuttoned: The Art and Artists of Theatrical Costume Design features interviews with practitioners and documents costume creation from concept to performance.

Practical Titles for Directors

• The Director's Toolkit and The Technical Director's Toolkit are comprehensive guides to the art of directing, focusing on technical direction, script analysis, and the audition process.
• Stanislavski in Practice (2nd edition) offers additional exercises for the actor and new sections on directing and devising productions.

The Art of Theatre Management

• Disability and Theatre: A Practical Manual for Inclusion in the Arts is a guide to creating inclusive theatre, focusing on publicity, working with unions, and performing intricate scenes such as fights and battles.
• The A – Z of Arts Management and Stage Management Theory as a Guide to Practice offer deep dives into the practicalities of stage management for theatre, dance, and opera.

Practical Titles for Dancers

• Aerial Dance: A Guide to Dance with Rope and Harness provides a thorough introduction for the beginning aerialist.
• Dance Production: Design and Technology introduces the reader to the skills needed to plan, design, and execute the technical aspects of a dance production.

Mindfulness & Wellbeing

• The Thriving Artist provides valuable how-to advice when it comes to building a diverse and stable financial portfolio in the performing arts.
• Productivity Through Wellness for Live Entertainment and Theatre Technicians helps the reader develop a work–life balance in a live entertainment environment.

Practical Titles for Actors

• Exercises for Embodied Actors and Your Body Knows: A Movement Guide are modern toolkits that help actors connect their minds and bodies to unlock authentic character movement.
• The Art of Unarmed Stage Combat offers games and exercises that allow actors to develop the skills and concepts required for performing violence on the stage and screen.