Scarecrow Press
Pages: 296
Trim: 6 x 8¼
978-0-8108-4683-8 • Paperback • June 2003 • $62.00 • (£48.00)
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.
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
...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, 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
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, President of Pat Mayfield Consulting, LLC
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
• Winner, Winner of the Bronze Award in Performing Arts, ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year 2003