Children's Theater

A Paradigm, Primer, and Resource

Kelly Eggers and Walter Eggers

Although there are many children's theater companies located around the world, more parents and educators need to know what a significant impact such venues can have on the lives of their participants. For anyone interested in learning more about these creative outlets, Children's Theater: A Paradigm, Primer, and Resource serves several purposes.

First, this book introduces readers to the world of children's theater by highlighting one specific model, The Oyster River Players, a small children's theater company in New Hampshire. By exploring the history and dynamics of their own theater company, authors Kelly and Walter Eggers apply broader implications, expanding their focus to include children's theaters of other kinds and in different cultural settings. Throughout the book, the Eggers show how children's theater succeeds in helping young people learn in ways that would be otherwise inaccessible. Through forays into philosophy and history, as well as personal testimonies, the authors present a coherent argument for the need for children's theaters in nearly every community.

This volume also lists more than 600 children's theater companies, agencies, and associations in the United States, as well as 400 more worldwide. Both accessible and practical, Children's Theater is an essential tool for teachers, directors, parents, mentors, and anyone else involved or interested in children's theater and its implications for children's education.

Scarecrow Press

Pages: 236 • Trim: 6½ x 9½

978-0-8108-5988-3 • Hardback • April 2010 • $92.00 • (£71.00)

978-0-8108-7292-9 • eBook • April 2010 • $87.00 • (£67.00)

Subjects: Performing Arts / Theater / Direction & Production

Children's Theater

A Paradigm, Primer, and Resource

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Although there are many children's theater companies located around the world, more parents and educators need to know what a significant impact such venues can have on the lives of their participants. For anyone interested in learning more about these creative outlets, Children's Theater: A Paradigm, Primer, and Resource serves several purposes.

First, this book introduces readers to the world of children's theater by highlighting one specific model, The Oyster River Players, a small children's theater company in New Hampshire. By exploring the history and dynamics of their own theater company, authors Kelly and Walter Eggers apply broader implications, expanding their focus to include children's theaters of other kinds and in different cultural settings. Throughout the book, the Eggers show how children's theater succeeds in helping young people learn in ways that would be otherwise inaccessible. Through forays into philosophy and history, as well as personal testimonies, the authors present a coherent argument for the need for children's theaters in nearly every community.

This volume also lists more than 600 children's theater companies, agencies, and associations in the United States, as well as 400 more worldwide. Both accessible and practical, Children's Theater is an essential tool for teachers, directors, parents, mentors, and anyone else involved or interested in children's theater and its implications for children's education.

Details

Scarecrow Press

Pages: 236 • Trim: 6½ x 9½

978-0-8108-5988-3 • Hardback • April 2010 • $92.00 • (£71.00)

978-0-8108-7292-9 • eBook • April 2010 • $87.00 • (£67.00)

Subjects: Performing Arts / Theater / Direction & Production

Author

Kelly and Walter Eggers are wife and husband. Kelly is the teacher and director whose vision of children's theater founded and sustains Oyster River Players. Walter is professor of English at the University of New Hampshire.

Reviews

As funding cuts have hit K-12 education, those who advocate for children's theater increasingly must use inspiration and imagination to mount productions. Kelly Eggers (Oyster River Players) and Walter Eggers (English, Univ. of New Hampshire) have written what they intend to be a model for those interested in supporting theater schools, programs, and productions. The book is relatively short, detailing experiences the authors have had with the Oyster River Players, a small children's theater company in New Hampshire. Topics include studio learning, how children's theater has evolved, and how US schools have worked to support the dramatic arts. The book contains numerous photographs, and specific details are provided related to a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Three appendixes contain a wealth of resources for those working with children's theater groups. The first appendix lists children's theater agencies and organizations, both in the US and abroad, including Web site information. The second describes children's theater programs and companies in the US and Canada, while the third has information for those that are internationally based. Recommended.
— Choice Reviews, October 2010

The well-researched prose will support and guide the practitioner or potential practitioner, while the directories will provide resources for those seeking guidance and organizations for assistance and support. This work is valuable for those wishing to know more about the importance and use of theater for children, both educationally and socially.
— American Reference Books Annual, May-August 2010

Enriching, enlightening and entertaining.
— Playbill

Children's Theater

A Paradigm, Primer, and Resource

Kelly Eggers and Walter Eggers

Children's Theater

A Paradigm, Primer, and Resource

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