Backstage Handbook: An Illustrated Almanac of Technical Information

by Paul Carter, George Chiang (Illustrator)

First published in 1988, Backstage Handbook is one of the most widely used stagecraft textbooks in the United States, with about 10,000 copies sold every year.

This handy reference book brings together under one cover an incredible variety of information useful to designers, technicians and students who work behind the scenes in theatre, film and television. Its sturdy leatherette binding will stand up to years of constant use.

The third edition updates this popular reference book with new terminology and materials, and adds dozens of new illustrations of grip hardware, film lighting equipment and painting tools. Backstage Handbook includes chapters on Tools, Hardware, Materials, Electrics, Shop Math, Architecture and Theatre. There are hundreds of illustrations, tables and charts which cover everything from the stock sizes and specs of wood screws, to safe working loads for several kinds of rope, to illustrations of twenty-two types of standard lamp bases.

Genres: Theatre, Reference, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Art, Technical, Own

309 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Paul Carter was born in England in 1969. His father's military career had the family moving all over the world, re-locating every few years. Paul has lived, worked, gotten into trouble and been given a serious talking to in England, Scotland, Germany, France, Holland, Norway, Portugal, Tunisia, Australia, Nigeria, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo, Columbia, Vietnam, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Sumatra, the Philippines, Korea, Japan, China, USA and Saudi Arabia. Today he lives in Perth with his wife, baby daughter and two motorbikes.

Reviews

[Erin]

The absolute go-to guide for ANYTHING backstage. This was so incredibly useful during my time in theatre. It's the boy scouts handbook for theatre techies.

[Danielle]

This is one of the most useful books I have ever purchased. If you work in theatre in any capacity, you should own this book.

[Vanessa]

Great resource for anyone involved in theater. this book contains many illustrations, charts, tables and conversions that can be quite handy backstage.

[Phillip Gallegos]

OK - so technically, it is a reference book (get it? technically...), but it is still one of my favorites. it has lots of handy conversions, shop math, and other assorted miscellany. It's not just useful on the set, but around the house, or for any tinkering or do-it-yourself type person.

[Christine]

I would not have survived my internship without it. Also a really great random reference.

[Kevin Finn]

My son had this as his textbook for a theatre tech class, and raved about it. I was originally planning to just flip through, but this is a fascinating combination of theatre and general knowledge material. Everyone can learn one or two new things here - for example, I learned about fabric types, knots, and different kinds of stage and film lighting rigs. I collect books about woodworking tools and techniques, and the Backstage Handbook is the same vibe.

[Amber]

An indispensable reference book for the stage. It has everything you could possibly need! Paint thinners, lights, tables of shop math, diagrams of stairs, jokes galore, earthquake/wind descriptions, any tool you could possibly use in the shop, and more! I wish there was a more recent version of this book with newer technologies included, but it is still such a good reference.

[Marco Massari]

Officially tabbed this ish up, my theatre handbook is ready for my random one-off curiosities!

My favorites are: temperature conversion, electrical equations, and omg it has a master list of FABRICS, LOVEEEE

Anyway, huge rec for professional stagehands or anyone in the theatrical industry.

[Melvin Marsh]

Great little book. If one is in theater, this is a good book to keep in your back pocket or bag.

[David Lindes]

A delightful little illustrated reference. Be sure to check out the page on Washers. :D

[Justin Cramer]

This is a great general reference book. Everyone should own and read it. Even if you are not in theater production.

[Gus Gustafson]

This is my bible

[Keeli Rodriguez]

Need to know what a shop tool is, what it looks like, and what it does? Done.

[Carlie Crowe]

Backstage handbook: an illustrated almanac of technical information. (1994). Broadway Press.

Citation by: Carlie Crowe

Type of Reference: Handbook

Call Number: Ref 792

Content/Scope: This handbook geared towards any high school students in theatre and is is one of the most widely used stagecraft textbooks. It houses a variety of information from terminology, materials, and illustrations.

Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Broadway Press is known for books for theatre designers and technicians. Many thespians turn to this publication as a reliable source of information.

Arrangement/Presentation: Arrangement is classified. Included in the 310 pages are grip hardware illustrations, film lighting equipment illustrations, and chapters include topics over tools, materials, electric, shop math, architecture and theatre.

Relation to other works: There are many handbooks that cover stagecraft. This handbook meet requirements for libraries that need a comprehensive handbook at a high school level.

Accessibility/Diversity: This handbook will help aid the newly developing drama department at our school. It will be a great asset to the students on producing their first play.

Cost: $18.00

Professional Review: Theatre Crafts. May89, Vol. 23 Issue 5, p82. 2/3p. 4 Illustrations.

[Red Shoes]

The reference for everything.

[Amanda]

Comes in handy if you're on your own working on a project. It's the staple of the technical theatre world. I'm thinking, though, that some if it should be labeled "Don't try this at home."

[Megan]

Ah, tech class.

[Gabriel]

Incredibly useful and well illustrated manual regarding everything you need to know about being a stagehand.

[Sean Evans]

The Backstage Handbook: An Illustrated Almanac of Technical Information by Paul Carter (1994)

[Sally Lopez]

Classic. Useful. Necessary.

[Seizure Romero]

Not so much a cover-to-cover read as a regular reference. It gets high marks from experienced theater folk; I can attest it's also a great resource for the clueless.

[Lawrence M.]

I always keep this handbook nearby just in case my memory decides to fail me. This thing has kept me, my crew mates, and actors safe and out of all sorts of trouble.

[Ash Reads Books]

The perfect guide for any stagehand!

[Holly]

An indispensable guidebook for anyone in the industry.

[Jay Szpirs]

An indispensable book for anyone working in technical theatre. No stage should be without one.

[Mary Paul]

Required techie reading