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Learning Resources > Acting and Theatre Craft > Theatre Craft Subject Guide

Subject Guide – Theatre Craft

This subject guide provides a springboard for exploring theatre craft and includes links to books and video content.

Books

  • Barker, Clive. Theatre Games: A new approach to drama training. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 1977. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Barton, John. Playing Shakespeare. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 1984. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Bayly, Stephen. Acting Realism: Theory and Practice from Garrick to Meisner and Beyond. London; New York: Methuen Drama, 2026. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Bloom, K., B. Adrian, T. Casciero, J. Mizenko, and C. Porter. The Laban Workbook for Actors: A Practical Training Guide with Video. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2018. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Brennan, Amanda. The Craft of Screen Acting. London: Methuen Drama, 2024. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Butler, Leo. Notes from a Working-Class Playwright. London; New York: Methuen Drama, 2025. Theatre Makers. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Campbell, Ali. The Theatre of the Oppressed in Practice Today: An Introduction to the Work and Principles of Augusto Boal. London: Methuen Drama, 2019. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Carey, Rebecca Clark. The Dramatic Text Workbook and Video: Practical Tools for Actors and Directors Second Edition. London: Methuen Drama, 2019. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Clifton, Alex. The Actor’s Workbook: A Practical Guide to Training, Rehearsing and Devising + Video. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2016. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Cramer, Lyn. Creating Musical Theatre: Conversations with Broadway Directors and Choreographers. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2013. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • de Bruin, Hanne M. Kaṭṭaikkūttu: A Rural Theatre Tradition in South India. London: Methuen Drama, 2023. Forms of Drama. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Deiorio, Victoria. The Art of Theatrical Sound Design: A Practical Guide. London: Methuen Drama, 2018. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Dieffenbacher, Joe. Clown: The Physical Comedian. London: Methuen Drama, 2021. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Double, Oliver. Getting the Joke: The inner workings of stand-up comedy. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2014. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Dudeck, Theresa Robbins, and Caitlin McClure. Applied Improvisation: Leading, Collaborating, and Creating Beyond the Theatre. London: Methuen Drama, 2018. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Fisher, Mark. How To Write About Theatre: A Manual for Critics, Students and Bloggers. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2015. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Gutekunst, Christina, and John Gillett. Voice Into Acting: Integrating voice and the Stanislavski approach. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2013. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Hunter, Kelly. Cracking Shakespeare: A Hands-on Guide for Actors and Directors + Video. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2015. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Jackson, Sheila. Costumes for the Stage: A complete handbook for every kind of play. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2001. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Johanson, Tim. The Accidental Producer: How Anyone Can Get Their Show on Stage. London: Methuen Drama, 2023. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Johnstone, Keith. Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 1981. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Jürs-Munby, Karen, Jerome Carroll, and Steve Giles. Postdramatic Theatre and the Political: International Perspectives on Contemporary Performance. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2013. Methuen Drama Engage. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Kumiega, Jennifer. The Theatre of Grotowski. London: Methuen, 1985. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Lecoq, Jacques. The Moving Body: Teaching creative theatre. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2000. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Maccoy, Peter. Essentials of Stage Management. London: A & C Black Ltd, 2004. Backstage. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Manfull, Helen. Taking Stage: Women Directors on Directing. With Sarah Pia Anderson, Annabel Arden, Julia Bardsley, Annie Castledine, Garry Hynes, Jenny Killick, Brigid Larmour, Phyllida Lloyd, Sue Sutton Mayo, Nancy Meckler, Katie Mitchell, Lynne Parker, and Di Trevis. Birkenhead: Methuen Drama, 1999. Backstage. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Marsden, Robert. A Beginner’s Guide to Directing Theatre. London; New York: Methuen Drama, 2025. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Marshall, Lorna. The Body Speaks. London: Methuen Drama, 2001. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Marty, Paulette. Contemporary Women Stage Directors: Conversations on Craft. London: Methuen Drama, 2019. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • McAvinchey, Caoimhe, ed. Performance and Community: Commentary and Case Studies. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2014. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • McAvinchey, Caoimhe, Lucy Richardson, and Fabio Santos. Phakama: Making Participatory Performance. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2018. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • McKinney, Joslin, and Scott Palmer, ed. Scenography Expanded: An Introduction to Contemporary Performance Design. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2016. Performance and Design. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Menzer, Paul. Shakespeare in the Theatre: The American Shakespeare Center. London: Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare, 2017. Shakespeare in the Theatre. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Park, Chan E. Korean Pansori as Voice Theatre: History, Theory, Practice. London: Methuen Drama, 2023. Forms of Drama. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Pietropaolo, Domenico. The Commedia dell’Arte. London: Methuen Drama, 2022. Forms of Drama. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Piven, Joyce, and Susan Applebaum. In the Studio with Joyce Piven: Theatre Games, Story Theatre and Text Work for Actors. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2012. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Ribeaux, Peter. The Alexander Technique: A Personal and Critical Guide for Practitioners, Students and Performance Artists. London: Methuen Drama, 2024. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Rodenburg, Patsy. The Need for Words: Voice and the Text. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2018. Performance Books. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Rodenburg, Patsy. The Right to Speak: Working with the Voice. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2015. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Rushe, Sinéad. Michael Chekhov’s Acting Technique: A Practitioner’s Guide. London: Methuen Drama, 2019. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Rutherford, Neil. Musical Theatre Auditions and Casting: A performer’s guide viewed from both sides of the audition table. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2012. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Schechter, Joel. Satire. London: Methuen Drama, 2021. Forms of Drama. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Schumacher, Claude, and Brian Singleton, ed. Artaud on Theatre. London: Methuen Drama, 1989. Plays and Playwrights. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Shire, Kim. A Beginner’s Guide to Acting Methods: Understanding Practitioners and their Legacies. London; New York: Methuen Drama, 2025. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Simonsen, Barbara, ed. The Art of Rehearsal: Conversations with Contemporary Theatre Makers. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2017. Theatre Makers. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Skinner, Amy, ed. Russian Theatre in Practice: The Director’s Guide. London: Methuen Drama, 2019. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Smith, M. Applied Puppetry: The Theory and Practice of Object Ecologies. London: Methuen Drama, 2024. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Smith-Autard, Jacqueline. Dance Composition. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2010. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Snow, Jackie. Movement Training for Actors. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2012. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Streeton, Jane, and Philip Raymond. Singing on Stage: An Actor’s Guide. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2014. RADA Guides. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Trencsényi, Katalin. Dramaturgy in the Making: A User’s Guide for Theatre Practitioners. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2015. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Wandor, Michelene. The Art of Writing Drama. London: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2008. Professional Media Practice. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.

Video

  • Allain, Paul. Physical Actor Training: an online A-Z. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Berkoff, Steven. Shakespeare’s Heroes and Villains. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • McMullen, Larry. Acting Techniques of the Noh Theatre of Japan. 1980. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • McMullen, Larry. Asian Concepts of Stage Discipline and Western Actor Training. 1980. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • McMullen, Larry. Bali: Acting Techniques of Topeng, Masked Theatre of Bali. 1980. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • McMullen, Larry. From India to East Lansing-Surpanakha - Producing a Sanskrit Drama. 1980. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Rea, Ken. Ken Rea Teaches Acting. 2023. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.
  • Told by an Idiot. Devised Theatre Workshop: Told by an Idiot. 2026. Drama Online. Web. 13 Oct. 2026.

Please note some titles may have territory restrictions. These can be checked on the Drama Online title list, downloadable from here.