Product Description

This invigorating new introductory text makes timely and relevant connections between theatre and the familiar world of Hollywood television and film to help students understand how the living art of theatre relates to, predates, and influences the screen entertainment they are used to watching. From theatre's ritual origins to modern musicals, from the controversies surrounding the NEA to the applicability of acting lessons in everyday life, this book is an important first step toward a deeper awareness of theatre's continuing and contemporary significance. Featuring strong coverage of current events in theatre, the reviewer-praised anecdotal narrative makes this book fun to read and one that students will want to keep long after the course is over. THE ART OF THEATRE is organized into three distinct sections, giving you the flexibility to organize your course your way. Adding to this flexibility is the book's availability in two versions. THE ART OF THEATRE: THEN AND NOW contains 16 chapters with extensive coverage of the history of theatre. EXPERIENCING THE ART OF THEATRE: A CONCISE INTRODUCTION features 13 chapters and a briefer treatment of theatre history.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #554398 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

Review
"After [reading] a few pages of the preface I was thrilled. It touched a passion in me that I never felt from any of the other texts I have read. From the moment I read "We have designed this book to take the student step by step through what they know, Hollywood screen entertainment, to an understanding, and perhaps even love, of the art of theatre," I was hooked. Bravo. That statement names precisely what I am looking for from a text on this subject."

"I cannot say enough about the high quality of this text. My job will be made much easier, overall, as I will not have to spend so much time filling in the gaps that are left by most other texts....Really, really superb."

"I can’t tell you how impressed I am with [the author’s] passion for the material. It shows."

"The authors have written an outstanding book. They have presented a wealth of information without presenting it in a dry manner. I have...found it to be not only insightful but enjoyable."

"I think [the authors’] approach to theatre history is what’s needed to catch the attention of and educate today’s students. The creative sections of the text excite me, [and]...the theoretical and social material appears to be well done."

About the Author
William Missouri Downs holds an M.F.A. in acting from the University of Illinois and an M.F.A. in screenwriting from U.C.L.A. He studied playwriting under Lanford Wilson at the Circle Rep and has written 20 full-length plays that have been produced all over the world, including the Kennedy Center and the Berkley Rep. In Hollywood, Downs was a writer on several NBC sitcoms and won the Jack Nicholson Award for screenwriting. He is the co-author of the books NAKED PLAYWRITING and SCREENPLAY: WRITING THE PICTURE. In the last 14 years, Downs has won 12 awards for teaching Introduction To Theatre, and over 11,000 students have taken his class.

Lou Anne Wright holds an M.F.A. in Voice, Speech and Dialects Coaching & Training from the National Theatre Conservatory. She is a Certified Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework. As a voice and dialect coach, she has worked with many professional and regional repertory companies, including the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. She is co-author of the book PLAYWRITING: FROM FORMULA TO FORM, published by Thomson Wadsworth. Her screenwriting credits include the film adaptation of Eudora Welty's THE HITCH-HIKERS, which featured Patty Duke and Richard Hatch (and for which she was nominated for the Directors Guild of America's Lillian Gish award).

Erik Ramsey is a playwright, new-play dramaturg, and professor of playwriting teaching in the M.F.A. Playwriting Program at Ohio University. His work has been published by Samuel French and Dramatic Publishing and his most recent play, LIONS LOST (IN TRANSLATION), has been developed at numerous regional theaters, including Cleveland Public Theatre, American Stage, the Tony-award winning Victory Gardens, and Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre. As a professional new-play dramaturg, Erik frequently works at the WordBRIDGE lab and has consulted on the development of a number of award winning plays, including Julie Jensen's DUST EATERS, nominated by the American Theatre Critics Association for best new play produced outside New York in 2005, and one of four finalists for the PEN USA 2006 Literary Awards for Drama. In 2007, Erik was named a Kennedy Center Faculty Fellow for his work in new play development, and he is the Chair of the National Playwriting Program for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival's Region III.

Customer Reviews

Great Seller
Book came in on time, was in great shape, and I resold it and got all my money back :)

great service for good money
Actually this book was ordered for my sons college theatre course. We knew that we were cutting it close but the book arrived on a Saturday for his Monday class. It was perfect. It was sent exactly as it was advertised. You cant ask for much more than what is promised. The book was in fine condition to.