Almost all schools offer some sort of theater program, and many towns produce community plays. These events can be wonderful opportunities for children with special needs to gain a sense of belonging, develop social skills, and use their creative imaginations. But often individuals with special needs don't become involved. Why? Perhaps the task…

Discusses the research and planning process involved in developing a college performing-arts center. Explores the questions to be answered in conducting a needs analysis, defines the four types of performance spaces to consider, and discusses the option of designating a facility as an arts center. (GR)

Offers advice for theater directors on how to take and give rehearsal notes that will enhance the casts' trust in the director and will help each rehearsal to build productively on the lessons of the previous one. (SR)

Defines a stage director's rehearsal note as a written reminder to tell an actor (or technical person) something seen during a rehearsal when there was no time to stop the action. Finds a note can contain a suggestion, a correction, or a compliment. Presents examples from play rehearsals of when a note was needed. (PA)

Contends that combining a direct mail campaign and telemarketing can help boost theater subscriptions. Describes the positive aspects of telemarketing employed by the theater at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. (MS)

Causes of project failure and common programing and design problems are discussed, including vague expectations, lack of architectural program detail, unwillingness to understand compromises, misunderstanding economics of audience size, site impact on budget, making a smaller facility less versatile, lobby expenses, late value engineering,…

Presents a rehearsal plan that not only keeps everyone on task but also produces stronger scenes. Suggests techniques such as: reading to the wall (suggests having no audience), sit in a circle (recite lines simultaneously), present a teaser, and blocking (find lines where the actors should move). Outlines a rehearsal worksheet. (SC)

Presents some guidelines and suggestions on things to know when considering renting a backdrop for a show. Discusses backdrop basics, types of backdrops, where to find drops, and how to rent the drops. (SG)

Describes the author's experiences finding an administrative home for theater departments, whether seceding from a communication arts department, or combining with other arts areas to form a new department. Offers recommendations and advice. (SR)

Discusses the importance of thorough research when considering construction of a campus performing arts center, including retaining an acoustical consultant or acoustician to recommend a similar center and guide a tour. Offers the example of the Southwest Iowa Arts Center located on the campus of Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs.…

Relates how several controversial plays were handled and discusses censorship in academic theatre in terms of choice. (PD)

Lists nine assertions pertaining to the field of theatre for children and youth. Spurs questions and discussion that provides useful contextualization for all of the papers presented for a symposium--papers which ranged widely over diverging ideological subjects. (SG)

Discusses the difficulties of costume construction for high school theater productions. Advances a plan (and provides a design) for a mobile costume shop which contains the basic needs of a functional costume facility, using only 60 square feet of space. Lists every element and implement needed. (PA)

Suggests a number of steps that can be taken to improve the aesthetic and technical quality of stage photography. Discusses finding a photographer, film choices, equipment, other technical considerations, the photo call, and digital photography. (RS)

Describes how the author applies the four Rs of volunteerism: research, recruit, retain, and recognize. Outlines the basics of each and how they can be incorporated in a school program. (SG)