Theatrical Designers

This book provides biographical and analytical data on significant historical and contemporary practitioners and theorists of the theatrical design field who have contributed to the development of the art. Beginning with a historical survey on the evolution of theatrical design, the volume features entries on some 270 set, costume, lighting, and theatre building designers, mainly dating from the fifteenth century to the present. Coverage is international, with a necessary emphasis on the United States and Western Europe.

Essays of varying length describe and evaluate the career and contributions of each designer, providing information on positions, productions, and awards and generally ending with sources for further reading. Particularly valuable are the detailed chronological listings of design credits given as available, mainly for prominent twentieth century figures. Appendixes to the volume list the designers chronologically by birth date and also by country of birth. The volume ends with an annotated general bibliography on theatre design and designers and an index. The only reference book specifically dedicated to theatrical designers, its coverage will significantly extend the information contained in more general works on theatre presently available for library research.

THOMAS J. MIKOTOWICZ is Assistant Professor of Theatre at the University of Maine at Orono, where he supervises the directing program. Dr. Mikotowicz has directed and/or designed more than 75 productions at community, educational, and professional theatres. His articles have been published in Theatre Design & Technology, The Puppetry Journal, and Theatre Topics, and he has contributed entries to Contemporary Designers and the Cambridge Guide to World Theatre.