The Essentials of Theater: A Guide to Acting, Stagecraft, Technical Theater, and More – by Lisa Mulcahy
A friendly and practical guide to the stage, The Essentials of Theater will prepare actors and crew for their next show. Perfect for college students in theater programs, as well as community theater troupes, this book covers all the bases?from a brief history on theater over the centuries and basic terminology to tips on interpreting scripts, developing characters, and utilizing props. Lisa Mulcahy’s helpful explanations and examples take readers on a backstage tour, introducing the tasks and responsibilities of every participant: stage hands, sound designers, prop managers, and more. Special sections include:
A simple guide to completing your first production project
Worksheets and checklists to practice new skills
Interviews with theater critics, playwrights, and sound designers
Appendices with suggested readings, viewings, and resources for theater students
Through real-world examples and engaging activities, readers will explore every facet of the world of theater: acting, directing, playwriting, production, technical design, and more. Mulcahy even includes a chapter on innovative ways to use one’s theater education off-stage. A great resource for college theater programs and acting classes in general, The Essentials of Theater is an excellent introduction to the stage and all of its moving parts.
The Grammy-nominated Original Broadway Cast Recording of The Outsiders has surpassed 100 million streams worldwide across all digital platforms, and continues to be streamed over 100,000 times daily.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Tony Award-winning hit musical Spring Awakening, the first-ever vinyl release of the original Broadway cast recording will be released by Decca Broadway this summer.
The Missouri Symphony has released a recording of Carl Busch's Ozarka Suite, inaugurating a long-term initiative to research, restore, and record overlooked orchestral music tied to Missouri's history.
Harper Celebrate and the Radio City Rockettes announced a new holiday book, Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes: Recipes and Crafts to Bring Home the Magic, featuring festive recipes, DIY crafts, and behind-the-scenes stories from the legendary production.
Harper Celebrate and the Radio City Rockettes are collaborating on a new book – Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes: Recipes and Crafts to Bring Home the Magic.
Songs from Monte Cristo: A New Musical – based on Alexandre Dumas’ beloved novel and the 19th century play by Charles Fechter – will be released in digital and streaming formats.
Multi-Grammy-winning vocal group Roomful of Teeth, and singer-songwriter/composer Gabriel Kahane have released “Put it in My Valise (Room 1832) [Radio Edit]” featuring Jodie Landau, from their collaborative LP Elevator Songs.
The full soundtrack is here for Disney's live-action Moana, featuring original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina, including the all-new song, “Along The Way.
Ghostlight Records has released the special 15th anniversary edition of the Grammy Award-winning Original Broadway Cast Recording for The Book of Mormon in stores and online.
Theatre Communications Group published The Michaels, the concluding double volume of Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Nelson's Rhinebeck Panorama, closing a twelve-year theatrical journey documenting American family life.
World Circuit Records will release the 30th Anniversary Edition of the Grammy-winning album ' Buena Vista Social Club,' which will be reissued on 'pearl sunrise' color double-LP.
The Original Cast Recording of THE JACK OF HEARTS CLUB, the acclaimed new musical by Jon Richardson that became one of the most successful productions in the history of Provincetown Theater, will be released on Friday, July 17, 2026, on all major digital and streaming platforms.
West End and Broadway star Ruthie Henshall will release her new memoir, The Showgirl and the Prince, detailed her secret relationship with Prince Edward in the 1980s.
Tony Award-winning performer Lea Salonga releases “The Last Night of the World (The Pride Remix),” a new dance version of the beloved Miss Saigon ballad that was first introduced to audiences decades ago.
An EP recording of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, the musical by John and Elena Tafone, is now available on all streaming platforms, featuring Nik Walker, Mary Kate Morrissey, and a 25-piece orchestra.
GRAMMY-nominated composer Devonté Hynes, also known professionally as Blood Orange, has scored the soundtrack for Olivia Wilde's new film, The Invite, from A24.
Nathan Abrams, a professor of film at Bangor University, has written a comprehensive biography of playwright David Mamet, examining how his Jewishness and Judaism shaped works like Glengarry Glen Ross and American Buffalo.
Costume designer, artist, and scholar Kaiqi Zhang will present the book launch of The Art of Kaiqi Zhang in Los Angeles, showcasing a comprehensive overview of her artistic practice in recent years.
Reunions, a new musical with book and lyrics by Jeffrey Scharf and music by Jimmy Calire, which had a run last year at New York City Center Stage II, has released an original cast recording of the musical.
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) released an 'American Express' Club Remix, produced and composed by Tony-Nominated Orchestrator Lux Pyramid.
Composer/lyricist Maury Yeston – who recently celebrated his landmark 80th birthday – will join author Joshua Rosenblum and theater journalist Peter Filichia at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space.
Creative Goods is launching a brand new piece of merchandise to celebrate the Schmigadoon’s Best Musical Tony Award! Take the Schmigadoon picnic home with you with a realistic corn puddin candle.