Working in American Theatre: A Brief History, Career Guide and Resource Book for over 1000 Theatres (Backstage)

This book is a treasure trove of knowledge-- and that is an understatement. This one book could easily have been a 3 volume series of excellent information and advice from someone who REALLY knows what he's talking about. Jim Volz is an amazing man with umpteen credentials in this field. He has been able to concisely put SO much information in one volume to make it easy on people who are looking to work in American Theatre. From the History of American Theatre to a full listing of Regional and Major Theatres in this country,(categorized and up-to-date)with advice and tips on what to look for and how to make a career successful in this business- who could ask for anything more? This is a WONDERFUL resource and guide for anyone studying or looking at Theatre as a career. Not only is it full of great facts and experience, it is simply a good read. Enjoy!

Bought for my brother; it’s a helpful tool

Have you ever taken a class on surviving a professional career in the theatre? One on how to begin working in the professional theatre? No? That's because not many of them exist and the ones that do are pricey and many times end up being a sales pitch for expensive classes that you may not need. Jim Volz has provided you with a solution all wrapped up in one book. For the price of one dinner at a restaurant you can get everything you need to know about working in the American Theatre from one of the best theatre consultants working in America. While there is no one stop shop answer for anything in this world, Volz has come close with the new edition of his book.Easy to read and full of the kind of information every theatre professional spends hours researching, Working in American Theatre is a must buy for anyone looking to have a career. Not ready for NY or LA? Think you are but aren't sure? This book will guide you to that decision and show you the vast amount of work that exists in this country outside of those two cities.Do yourself a favor and buy it today. Have a friend or family member struggling as an artist? Get them this as a gift...they will thank you for the rest of their lives.

A few years ago I was given a copy of the first edition of this book (THE BACKSTAGE GUIDE TO WORKING IN REGIONAL THEATRE), and it was a terrific, easy read. I got my hands on this new edition, and it is even better and more extensive than the original. The book is both an information source as well as a practical guide for anyone who is serious about a theatre career. This book is ESSENTIAL for anyone searching for a theatre job in America. The amount of information contained in this single book is astonishing, and the book is well worth the price considering it would take hundreds of hours of Internet surfing to even come close to compiling the info contained in it. The author also included loads of fun, witty, and extremely insightful advice for people trying to move up in any job, but especially in the theatre. He included the kind of information I had wanted every college professor to give me--practical, easy to follow advice for getting jobs and keeping them. One of the hardest elements of working in theatre is struggling to get a foot in the door, and WORKING IN AMERICAN THEATRE helps solve this problem. Rather than sitting around and waiting for a door to open, the book supplies the material needed to start opening doors for yourself.

This book was given to me as a gift prior to graduating from college. It is the book I have carried with me from working with various theaters all over the country. In my book now, there are paragraphs upon paragraphs that are highlighted, and tons of post it notes scattered about. Honestly, this book has been my theater bible over the course of the past three years. Jim Volz has such a true insight to what is going on in American theaters today, and he provides a wealth of knowledge to those embarking on their first steps out of college. I mean, how terrifying is it in today's society to graduate from college with a degree in the arts?! Pretty effing terrifying. THIS BOOK HELPS! Not only will it help you find the types of theaters you want to work for, but it will also inspire, motivate, and shape your understandings so that you feel nothing but prepared when you go on that first interview. Just buy it. You know you want to!

The newest incarnation of the Backstage Guide delivers everything an actor needs to know about the labyrinthine world of American theatre. Particularly regional theatre. If you're not heading to NY or LA right off the bat, getting familiar with regional theatres around the country gives actors an opportunity to hone their skills, develop resumes, earn their Equity cards, and even become members of a professional company (every actor's dream), while, at the same time, building credits in less competitive regional commercial and television markets. In other words, regional theatre is a viable and rewarding way to start a career. But many actors don't know anything about it. Instead, they get fed into the grinder of larger commercial markets like NY or LA before they're ready, and end up leaving the art form before their time. Jim Volz is a preeminent expert on American regional theatre. He knows EVERYONE in the regional theatre world and he is a wise, practical, fun guide for figuring out how to do the impossible: become a working actor.

This is a must have for anyone that is interested in learning more tools and techniques. I've have been hired because of this book. It teaches you career planning, how to manage your time, networking tools, and much more. It doesn't matter if you're an actor, director, producer, board member, or someone who is just wanting to improve their career: this book is for you! I've been more connected to the theatre using this book. It lists all the major theatre companies and their contacts. The wonderful thing is that it breaks down what theatre is with what union or what organization and such.I hope this review was helpful.