Carver's Manual on Community Theatre Directing: A Step-By-Step Approach

Your negative review just might be deleted. (I would know. And I have to wonder how many reviewers actually PURCHASED the book, instead of being 'gifted' with it in exchange for a 5 star review?).So, you're a First Time theater director? And you've never been involved in a theatrical production before, and you have absolutely NO idea how to do the job? Well now there's “Carver's Manual on Community Theater Directing” to guide you on your perilous journey.Now, most authors would be happy to find their picture on the back – or inside the back cover. Ah, but not our boy, no sir. Front cover! Centered. Lest we forget who's the star of this show.A good proof reader should have caught the typos and grammatical errors, but with only a few blunders (Larry Shue wrote 'The Foreigner', not Michael Frayne, etc.) to mar this otherwise delightful mix of fact and fantasy we find ourselves transported into the mysterious and unknowable world of the director (oh, and I'm being sarcastic).You'd think that someone with thirty-plus years of directing experience under his belt would have better stories to tell.If you really need a book like this, then maybe directing isn't for you. You should pursue a different hobby. Like knitting, or 'gator wrestling. Something that won't ask you to delve into your own psyche, and to operate from your gut.This is a scant textbook that wishes it were a philosophical treatise.Final grade: A for effort. E for Ego. I,O,U as in: I Owe You the price of this book back. And sometimes Y, as in: Why did we need this book?Why, indeed?

I have had the privilege of observing Jim at work adjudicating at regional community theatre contests and also I learned from him in a workshop at the AACT nationals in 2014. I have directed a few times and, as I prepare for my next play, I have the advantage of reading his book and using his recommendations and techniques to help me ensure the upcoming play is a success. Audiences applauded my previous directing efforts and I think with the wisdom offered in Carver's Manual on Community Theatre Directing we will be even more successful in entertaining the audience and, just as important, developing actors to practice their craft at a higher level of performance. Thanks Wanda for suggesting Jim's book!

I have directed several one-act plays for community theater, flying mainly by the seat of my pants. This book has a lot of the information I wish I'd had when I started directing. The author has long experience in community theater, and one of the best things about his approach is that he understands the limitations inherent in staging a play with volunteers, and making do with what you have. I highly recommend this book.

James C. Carver has written a delightful and highly practical book on directing - not just for community theater, but for schools and pros as well. His common sense approach, combined with very specific examples and details makes this a "must read" for theater folks. An experienced director himself, Carver has worked in a variety of venues and situations, and makes it seem easy. Bravo!

This is a must read for beginning directors of community theatre. I have been directing for over 40 years and this will be my new resource manual. Every director should read this book as it will either reinforce what you are already doing or help make the changes that you need to make. What a GREAT Book written with the slant on Community Theatre.

I wish I had had this book over 40 years ago when I started directing. Within fifteen minutes of starting this book I was learning new and wonderful techniques. This should be a must-read for anyone considering directing at the local community theater.Start here and save yourself a lot of trial and error. Highly recommended!

As a newbie director, Carver provided a lot of information on all aspects of directing... from auditions, rehearsals, handling actors, to opening night! I refer to it often as a director, and keep many of the tools/suggestions for actors in mind when I perform.

Don't let the dated cover fool you, this is great stuff for both the experienced and novice community theatre director.