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 Robert L. Lee’s “Everything About Theatre!” serves as a guidebook of theatre fundamentals. While most theatre survey books cover the basics of acting, stage direction and theatre history, Lee’s book also includes chapters outlining the fundamentals of stagecraft, stage lighting, set design, set construction, set painting, and introduction to sound engineering. I am skeptical of book titles that begin with, “Everything about,” but Lee delivers. Frankly speaking, I could teach several high school theatre courses with “Everything About Theatre!” as the common text. Yes, the book is that good!
How good? I have been directing and teaching high school performing arts groups since 1981. Five years ago I discovered Robert L. Lee’s “Everything About Theatre!” and I’ve been using it in my introduction to theatre class at a private school ever since. While many classroom texts go out-of-date fairly quickly, Lee’s book attains near classic status by focusing on subject matter that remains constant.
The information Robert L. Lee includes in “Everything About Theatre!” has given me the opportunity to tailor my introductory drama course to the personality, interests and experience of each class, providing an individualized approach to teaching while maintaining the integrity of my yearly lesson plans. While many classroom texts go out-of-date fairly quickly, Lee’s book attains near classic status by focusing on subject matter that remains constant.
My experience has been largely focused on interpreting a script and working with cast members to develop their acting skills. My experience does not include training in more specialized fields of theatre craft. The more technical chapters of “Everything About Theatre!” have given me a greater appreciation for the expertise of designers and craftsmen while helping me understand the terminology needed to communicate with them during production meetings.
“Everything About Theatre!” is a tremendous resource for the theatre novice and those with vast theatrical experience. Mr. Lee clearly understands the collaborative nature of theatre. The great value of this book is that Lee understands and highlights the many roles involved in staging a production: playwrights, actors, costume designers, stage managers, and more! He underscores the need for understanding the role of theatre history and realizing how various types and styles of plays demand different production standards.
Written in a clear, concise manner, Lee illustrates his work with easy to follow charts and diagrams.
Because each chapter concludes with exercises, “Everything About Theatre!” is ideal for a high school or college introductory theatre class. The final chapter, “Getting to Work,” should be mandatory reading for anyone contemplating a career in theatre! Without destroying a would-be actor’s dream, Lee gives realistic guidelines and suggestions for pursuing work and preparing for life in the theatre.
My only reservation about this book is Lee’s order of chapters. Perhaps it is because he covers such a wide-range of topics, the chapter outline seems scattered. A chapter dealing with acting technique can be followed by a chapter explaining various lighting instruments, followed by a chapter contrasting Christopher Marlowe with William Shakespeare. Perhaps Lee’s logic is that he is writing to a broad audience of theatre students with varied interests. Mission accomplished!
A teacher’s guide, including additional exercises, tests and matrixes is available from the publisher. This reviewer has – and does – use this book in a classroom setting. While this review has focused on “Everything About Theatre!” as a classroom text, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about theatre.
Dennis L. Foreman
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