The Essentials of Theater

“In The Essentials of Theater, Mulcahy has created an exploded view of the various collaborative roles in theater that are indeed essential to creating theater as we know it in the modern world. It pulls back the curtain and opens the stage door, offering revealing insights for those new to the theater.” —Michael S. Eddy, editor-in-chief, Stage Directions magazine
“Whether you’re a theater student or an educator, The Essentials of Theater by Lisa Mulcahy is a must-have resource in your toolbox! Comprehensive in detail and thorough in its scope of material, this book is not only a terrific primer for all theater professionals, regardless of what stage their career is at, but a fun read, full of great ideas for assignments and inspiration. If you need one theater book for your library, this should be it!” —Iris Dorbian, author of Great Producers: Visionaries of the American Theater and former editor-in-chief of Stage Directions magazine
“The Essentials Of Theater, like a well-trained actor, projects far beyond the stage. Mulcahy beautifully lends an expert perspective on the origins, fundamentals, and craft of theater. In short, Mulcahy has channeled an inspiring guide for the curious beginner or the seasoned professional who seeks to reconnect with her or his thespian joy. I deeply enjoyed this book, and it came at a time when I most needed an artistic reboot. Lisa’s book is the magic of theater.” —Cooper Bates, creator and performer, Black When I Was a Boy

“Thoroughly ‘user friendly’ in organization and presentation, The Essentials of Theater is a critically important and impressively useful instruction manual that is especially recommended as a textbook for college theater programs and acting classes in general, and community and academic library theater/cinema/TV collections in particular.” —Midwest Book Review

“In The Essentials of Theater, Mulcahy has created an exploded view of the various collaborative roles in theater that are indeed essential to creating theater as we know it in the modern world. It pulls back the curtain and opens the stage door, offering revealing insights for those new to the theater.” —Michael S. Eddy, editor-in-chief, Stage Directions magazine
“Whether you’re a theater student or an educator, The Essentials of Theater by Lisa Mulcahy is a must-have resource in your toolbox! Comprehensive in detail and thorough in its scope of material, this book is not only a terrific primer for all theater professionals, regardless of what stage their career is at, but a fun read, full of great ideas for assignments and inspiration. If you need one theater book for your library, this should be it!” —Iris Dorbian, author of Great Producers: Visionaries of the American Theater and former editor-in-chief of Stage Directions magazine

“The Essentials Of Theater, like a well-trained actor, projects far beyond the stage. Mulcahy beautifully lends an expert perspective on the origins, fundamentals, and craft of theater. In short, Mulcahy has channeled an inspiring guide for the curious beginner or the seasoned professional who seeks to reconnect with her or his thespian joy. I deeply enjoyed this book, and it came at a time when I most needed an artistic reboot. Lisa’s book is the magic of theater.” —Cooper Bates, creator and performer, Black When I Was a Boy