How Theater Managers Manage / Edition 1

by Tess Collins

Overview

How Theater Managers Manage brings together the stories, beliefs, and experiences of a few seasoned theater managers. Through them, a portrait and a concept emerge depicting what they have unknowingly practiced throughout their careers.

Designed to be a stepping stone for new theater managers, this book covers a wide variety of topics including budgeting theater costs, gross potentials and ticket prices, show contracts, settlements, and emergency and security procedures, to name a few. A sample budget, building forms, and show and performance forms are also included.

While most of the experiences in this book relates to commercial theater, many of the ideas put forth can be applied to not-for-profit theater and facility management.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810846838
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	06/05/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	5.88(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.78(d)

About the Author

Tess Collins has worked for the Shorenstein-Hays Nederlander Organization in theater management for more than 25 years. She managed the Golden Gate, Orpheum, and Curran Theaters in San Francisco.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Acknowledgments Part 2 Introduction Part 3 Part I: Theater: The Way It Was, the Way It Is, and the Way It Is Becoming Chapter 4 1 Theater and Theater Managers Chapter 5 2 The Cast of Characters Chapter 6 3 The Show Must Go On Chapter 7 4 Front-of-House: It's Not a Dress Rehearsal Chapter 8 5 The Theater Building: You Work for a Theater but I Work for a Theatre Chapter 9 6 Unions Chapter 10 7 Customers and Employees, or Yelling at the Usher Always Improves the Sound Part 11 Part II: Financial Concerns Chapter 12 8 Budgeting Theater Cost for an Engagement Chapter 13 9 Gross Potentials and Ticket Prices Chapter 14 10 Show Contracts Chapter 15 11 Box Office Chapter 16 12 Settlements Part 17 Part III: Career Development Chapter 18 13 The Drama Offstage Chapter 19 14 Management and Imagination Chapter 20 15 Managerial Imagination Chapter 21 16 Creating and Thinking Chapter 22 17 Industry Interviews Chapter 23 18 Manager Topics: In Our Own Words Part 24 Concluding Thoughts Part 25 Appendix A: Specs Package: Advance Information and Backstage Information Part 26 Appendix B: Emergency and Security Procedures Part 27 Appendix C: Building Forms Part 28 Appendix D: Show and Performance Forms Part 29 Appendix E: Sample Budget Part 30 Works Cited Part 31 Index Part 32 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

This book is more than an eye opener to this specialized world – it's a total and complete education for theater management. How Theater Managers Manage makes an impact on the reader because it combines theory with reality, experience with examples, and challenges with proven solutions. This book is a must read for anyone associated with the theater, and for those who simply enjoy the results of great theater management, it's a privileged peek behind the curtain into this unique and mysterious world.

Pat Mayfield

Tess Collins' book should be the bible for every theater manager.

Maria A. Somma

...a very practical and straightforward guidebook to the business of running a community theater. From dealing with unions, to the nuts and bolts of determining ticket prices, to a sample budget, to building forms, and a great deal more How Theater Managers Manage is an invaluable resourceful guide which is very highly recommended for anyone starting out in theater management, or who is contemplating the business side of theatrical management theater.

Library Bookwatch

...a solid primer for anyone considering theater management as a career and a helpful mid-career review for the professional manager. Appendixes provide a variety of helpful procedural outlines, daily operation and performance forms, information data sheets, emergency and security measures, and sample budgets.

Choice Reviews

How Theater Managers Manage is a valuable resource for the field. The job of the theater manager has always been an intricate part of the theatrical community and will be a necessary component in the 21st Century which will blend new technology with old challenges in both front of house and backstage.

Veronica Claypool

Essential reading for the manager in training and invaluable continuing education for the seasoned professional. Tess Collins' book is packed with clearly explained information that will help make you a better manager. Well written and entertaining. I'd recommend this book without reservation.

Douglas C. Baker

...a solid primer for anyone considering theater management as a career and a helpful mid-career review for the professional manager. Appendixes provide a variety of helpful procedural outlines, daily operation and performance forms, information data sheets, emergency and security measures, and sample budgets.

Choice

How Theater Managers Manage is a valuable resource for the field. The job of the theater manager has always been an intricate part of the theatrical community and will be a necessary component in the 21st Century which will blend new technology with old challenges in both front of house and backstage.--Veronica Claypool, Managing Director, Theater Development Fund

Tess Collins' book should be the bible for every theater manager.--Maria A. Somma, President, Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers, LOCAL 18032

Essential reading for the manager in training and invaluable continuing education for the seasoned professional. Tess Collins' book is packed with clearly explained information that will help make you a better manager. Well written and entertaining. I'd recommend this book without reservation.--Douglas C. Baker, General Manager, Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles and Chapter Chair, A.T.P.A.M. Board of Governors

From the Publisher

...a solid primer for anyone considering theater management as a career and a helpful mid-career review for the professional manager. Appendixes provide a variety of helpful procedural outlines, daily operation and performance forms, information data sheets, emergency and security measures, and sample budgets.

CHOICE