Stagecraft for Nonprofessionals

193 Pages·1983·6.58 MB·English

by  Frederick A. Buerki, Susan J. Christensen

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<!JFOR
NONPROFESSIONALS

Qtageeraft
~FOR
NONPROFESSIONALS
F.A.Buerki
A new edition revised and updated
J.
by SUSAN CHRISTENSEN
The University of Wisconsin Press
The University of Wisconsin Press
2537 Daniels Street
Madison. Wisconsin 53718
3 Henrietta Street
London WC2E 8LU, England
Copyright 1945 by F. A. Buerki; renewed 1973
Copyright © 1955, 1972, 1983
The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
All rights reserved
Third Edition published in 1983
Printed in the United States of America
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Buerki, F. A.
Stagecraft for nonprofessionals.
Bibliography: pp. 163-64.
Includes index.
1. Theaters-Stage-setting and scenery.
2. Amateur theater. I. Christensen, Susan J., 1951-
II. Title.
PN2091.S8B74 1983 792 '.025 83-1244
ISBN 0-299-09350-6
ISBN 0-299-09354-9 (pbk.)
To Katherine

CONTENTS
List of Illustrations ix
Key to Parts of the Stage xii
Preface to Revised Edition xvi
Preface to First Edition xvii
The Theatre and the Stage xix
1 The Parts of the Stage 3
2 Scene Design and Setting 19
3 Stage Settings 37
4 Flats and Set Pieces 48
5 Stairs and Platforms 76
6 Doors and Windows 89
7 Properties and Sound Effects 95
8 Scene Painting 106
9 Stage Lighting 123
Glossary of Stage Terms 153
Additional Reading 163
Index 165

LIST
OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure Page
1 Pin Rail 4
2 Pin Rail Mounted on the Wall and Built Up from
the Floor 5
3 Fly Gallery 6
4 Gridiron with Set of Lines 7
5 Counterweighting the Fire Curtain 9
6 Opera Drape 12
7 Traveller on a Wire Track 13
8 Metal Traveller Track 14
9 Traveller Pull-off Rigging 15
10 Grand Drapery, Teaser, Tormentor, and Return 16
11 Portal 17
12 Set Plan, Showing Separate Pieces Required and
Set Marking 21
13 Sketch of Pieces To Be Built, Showing Material
Specifications 23
14 Sections of Wall Battened Together 23
15 Hinged Flats 25
16 Stage Brace, Brace Cleat, and Stage Screw 28
17 Bracing a Stage Door 29
18 Stage Jack and Loose-pin Backflap Hinge 30
19 Flats Lashed Together 30
ix