THOMAS S. HISCHAK is an internationally recognized writer and teacher in the performing arts. He is the author of twenty-six nonfiction books about theatre, film, and popular music, including Theatre as Human Action: An Introduction to Theatre Arts, The Oxford Companion to the American Musical, The Encyclopedia of Film Composers, The 100 Greatest American Plays, 1939: Hollywood’s Greatest Year, 100 Greatest American and British Animated Films, and The Disney Song Encyclopedia (with Mark A. Robinson). MARK A. ROBINSON is the author of The World of Musicals, Sitcommentary: Television Comedies that Changed America, The Encyclopedia of Television Theme Songs, Musical Misfires: Three Decades of Broadway Musical Heartbreak, and The Disney Song Encyclopedia (with Thomas S. Hischak). He has taught high school theatre and writing and regularly directs youth and professional theatre productions. Robinson has been a featured writer for several theatre websites, including BroadwayDirect.com, ShowTickets.com, and playbill.com, and has written pieces for The Library of Congress, Lincoln Center, Sorbet Magazine, and Broadway Records.
A solid introduction to the art of theatre, covering the most important and fundamental aspects of the art... A lively and engaging read.--Robert Gonzalez, Associate Professor of Speech and Theatre, University of Tampa An excellent overview; well-organized and clear.--Gary Aday, Associate Professor and Director of Theatre, Virginia Highlands Community College This text breaks down the theatre process on a human level, explaining what is needed from the people involved each step of the way from concept to realized production.--Angela Bacarisse, Professor of Design and Stage Management, Stephen F. Austin State University