Performing Arts

Shadow Cinema: The Historical and Production Contexts of Unmade Films by James Fenwick, Kieran Foster, and David Eldridge explores the fascinating world of unproduced films. This collection of essays...

Experimental Music and Free Improvisation by Sol Nte is a visual exploration of music in its purest form. This book proposes the idea of music on paper, combining lists of names with graphic scores,...

Scene Shift: Contemporary US Set Designers in Conversation This book brings together thirty US set designers from diverse backgrounds and career paths to share their experiences and insights. Through...

Directing Screen Performances by Robert Klenner provides a comprehensive guide for aspiring directors. This book explores the key approaches to contemporary screen acting and offers practical advice...

Red Curtain Up by Beryl Grey A culturally significant work now available in paperback. This publication is in the public domain and can be freely copied and distributed within the United States...

This comprehensive guide to 10 popular dance styles will help you feel confident on the dance floor. With step-by-step instruction and expert guidance, you'll learn the foundational skills and...

A fascinating portrait of 35 character actresses who left their mark on Hollywood from the early sound era to the 1960s is presented in this book. Drawing on historical documents and newspaper...

Staging and Re-Cycling: Retrieving, Reflecting and Re-Framing the Archive offers new perspectives on how to approach material in academic and staged dramaturgical contexts. This collection of...

Broken Silence: Conversations with 23 Silent Film StarsThis collection brings together 23 original interviews with stars of the silent screen, offering a unique glimpse into their lives and careers...

Mainstream AIDS Theatre, the Media, and Gay Civil Rights: Tracing Ideological Change in US Mainstream Plays. This book examines the political potential of mainstream theatre in the US at the end of...

David T. Johnson's analysis of Richard Linklater's filmmaking choices reveals a director who consistently explores themes of time in his work.From the inventive independent narrative Slacker to films...

A day in the life of a door-to-door salesman becomes a journey of self-discovery. Peddling is Harry Melling's remarkable debut play about a pedlar boy who wakes up with no memory of how he came to be...

New and Curious School of Theatrical Dancing by Gregorio LambranziFirst published in two parts in Nuremberg in 1716, this work provides a unique record of theatrical dancing from the late 17th and...

True Blood: Investigating Vampires and Southern Gothic by Brigid Cherry explores the complex representations of sexuality, race, and class in the popular HBO series. This book delves into the generic...

Discover the original and acerbic films of Jean-Luc Godard, one of the most significant filmmakers of recent times. This comprehensive volume explores all of Godard's works in cinema, from his early...

A keen wind had come up that wailed through the streets. With Caine and his companions, Peter, Master Khan, Steadman, and Rykker, they surveyed their surroundings, taking in the ruined buildings and...

Amateur Cinema: The Rise of North American Moviemaking, 1923-1960 by Charles Tepperman explores the meaning of the "amateur" in film history and modern visual culture. This period saw Hollywood's...

This comprehensive guide to classic movies covers both beloved and lesser-known films from Hollywood's golden era. With over 300 titles featured, including full credits and detailed reviews for more...

Fashioning Film Stars explores the significance of fashion and dress in relation to stardom, examining how clothing operates as a means of articulating particular identities. This scholarly volume...

Doctor Who has been a staple of British television for nearly 50 years, sparking debate and discussion about its rich philosophical themes. This book offers an in-depth exploration of the show's...

This loving tribute to the classic ABC Movie of the Week series covers over 200 films made exclusively for television. Reviewers and film enthusiasts alike will enjoy this comprehensive guide, which...

Winning the Audition: Take Your Auditioning to the Next LevelThis practical guide shares strategies and techniques used by successful musicians who have won auditions for major orchestras. Jason...

Paranormal Planet presents a unified field theory of paranormal activity, chronicling terrifying and true case files from 25 years of investigation. Jack Cary shares his research and evidence,...

A Nerd Girl's Guide to Cinema by Kelly Cozy is a unique guide that explores the world of film beyond the most popular titles. With a mix of reviews from various sources and original content, this...

Making Another World Possible offers a broad look at socially engaged cultural practices that have become increasingly visible in recent years. This book explores an array of fields, including visual...

The Hollywood Historical Film provides a comprehensive analysis of this popular and controversial genre. It explores how Hollywood reshapes our viewpoints while recreating the past in a sensual way...

Roberto Rossellini's Rome Open City has had a profound impact on film history. Made at the end of World War II, it revolutionized modern cinema with its innovative approach to storytelling and...

An Anatomy of Drama by Martin Esslin explores the fundamental nature of dramatic expression across various forms of media. This thought-provoking work examines the common and distinctive...

Luis Buñuel: The Red Years, 1929-1939 is a comprehensive study of the Spanish film director's tumultuous decade-long involvement with communism and his role in disseminating film propaganda during...

Caroline Mitchell's Women and Radio explores the complex relationships between radio audiences, technologies, and programming, shedding light on the inequalities faced by women working in the...

Hong Kong Cinema and Sinophone Transnationalisms explores the evolution of film-making practices in Hong Kong from the 1930s to the 1980s, resulting in a unique Sinophone cinema that redefined...

Kansas Bowling's second feature-length film, Cuddly Toys, is a thought-provoking mondo film that explores complex themes and invites debate. This behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film...

Little Echoes by Tom Powell is a gripping novel that delves into the darker side of human nature. Three seemingly ordinary lives are about to intersect in ways that will leave an indelible mark...

Special effects have become an integral part of creating fictional worlds and transmedia franchises in modern entertainment. From blockbuster films to television shows and video games, visual effects...

Television Style by Jeremy G. Butler explores the significance of style in television programming. By examining the stylistic conventions used in various TV genres, including dramas and commercials,...

The Belly of an Architect by Peter Greenaway is a thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between art and architecture. By examining the work of architects, Greenaway reveals that despite...

American cinema has been both a powerful mythmaker and a social critic from its inception. D.W. Griffith's Birth of a Nation, released in 1915, is a landmark film that showcases the early influence...

Understanding Children's Responses to Television By David Buckingham This book offers a new approach to studying the role of television in children's lives. It explores how children respond to...

The cyborg hero has become an iconic figure in American film, and Janice H. Rushing and Thomas S. Frentz explore this phenomenon in depth. Through a close analysis of six influential films, the...

Dogma A Screenplay by Kevin Smith is a provocative comic theological fantasy that explores the boundaries of Catholic doctrine. When two fallen angels attempt to return to heaven, they unwittingly...

Mysticism in the Theater: What's Needed Right Now explores how historical mystical ideas can be used to influence all aspects of theatrical productions. This unique approach allows artists to tap...

The Poetics of Aristotle by Aristotle In this foundational work, Aristotle approaches poetry and drama as an analytical philosopher rather than a literary critic. His treatise, Poetics, explores the...

Transnational Ecocinema Film Culture in an Era of Ecological Transformation offers a fresh perspective on ecocriticism and cinema. By exploring films from diverse countries and cultures, the editors...

Stand-up comedians have long walked a fine line between serious engagement with social issues and playful humor. This book explores how they use comedy to open up difficult topics for broader...

The world of 1960s Madison Avenue is captured in this book, exploring the lives of its characters and the cultural context in which they lived. From the advertising executives to the suburban...

The Dolly Sisters in Pictures showcases the glamorous lives of two sisters through 200 photographic images. From their early years to their rise to fame and fortune, this collection reveals the full...

The Lost Trail: Hollywood Westerns and the 1930s is a study of the Western film genre during its formative years in the 1930s. Peter Stanfield examines how Westerns were produced, exhibited, and...

A Week in Venice: A Film-text by Bernard Sharratt is a unique blend of fiction and fantasy. In this film-text, two strangers arrive in Venice for different reasons, only to find themselves entangled...

The Drum 'n' Bass Encyclopedia provides an in-depth look at this diverse and varied genre. From its electronic roots to its incorporation of acoustic instrumentation, drum and bass is characterized...

Cinema of Flames: Balkan Film, Culture and the Media is an in-depth study of the intersection of politics and culture in the region. Following the break-up of Yugoslavia, a diverse range of films...

Bruce Lee Enter the Dragon Scrapbook Sequence Softback Edition Vol 13 (Part 1) is the next thrilling installment in these Scrapbook sequences. This special hardback edition brings you 80 pages of...

Witness to Phenomenon: A fresh examination of the German Group Zero artists who rejected painting and introduced new art media in postwar Europe. This pan-European affiliation of artists generated a...

Losing the Light: Terry Gilliam and the Munchausen Saga is an account of a disastrous film production. Andrew Yule recounts how a combination of factors led to the project's collapse, including...

Hand movements are the foundation of dance notation. This comprehensive guide covers the notation of hand movements in detail, from broad general statements to precise descriptions that require...

The Changing Spaces of Television Acting: From Studio Realism to Location Realism in BBC Television Drama by Richard Hewett This book provides a comprehensive historical overview and comparison of...

Crime films have long played a significant role in shaping our understanding of crime and society. They help us define what is good and bad, desirable and unworthy, lawful and illicit, strong and...

Chow Yun-fat and Territories of Hong Kong Stardom by Lin Feng explores the complex redefinitions of local and global identities through the lens of one of Hong Kong's most popular film stars. This...

Theatres of Learning Disability Good, Bad, or Plain Ugly? This groundbreaking book challenges prevailing assumptions about theatre and learning disability. Matt Hargrave's provocative work realigns...

Getting Into the Act: Women Playwrights in London, 1776-1829This book tells the story of seven female playwrights who achieved professional success against all odds in the late eighteenth and early...

Dance on the American Musical Theatre Stage: A History explores the evolution of dance in the United States from colonial beginnings to the present day. This book examines how European classical,...

Performance Affects explores performance projects in disaster and war zones to argue that joy, beauty and celebration should be the inspiration for the politics of community-based or participatory...

Cinema and Sensation: French Film and the Art of Transgression by Martine Beugnet explores the resurgence of filmmaking practices that prioritize cinema as a medium for sensory experience. This...

A satirical play presented as an instructional video, exploring the complexities of marriage and relationships. Maddy's seemingly straightforward guide to disposing of an unwanted husband is aided by...

Screening Twilight offers a critical analysis of the cinematic phenomenon that is the Twilight series. This collection of essays examines how the films work as texts, what they reveal about cinema...

The Moose That Roared: A Story of Unlikely Friendship and Creative Genius Jay Ward Productions was a force to be reckoned with in the world of animation. At its heart were two visionary artists, Jay...

Serge Lifar was a pivotal figure in French ballet, modernizing the art form while remaining deeply rooted in classical tradition. His career spanned from his arrival in France in 1923 to the end of...

Woody Allen's unique voice is explored in this first detailed study of his life and work. Graham McCann examines the themes, dreams, hopes, and hidden meanings behind Allen's urban humour, using...

City Symphonies Sound and the Composition of Urban Modernity explores the sonic dimension of silent films from the 1920s and early 1930s, challenging traditional definitions that focus solely on...

George Clooney: Anatomy of an Actor by Jeremy Smith is a comprehensive study of his iconic film roles. This title in the Anatomy of an Actor series from Cahiers du cinema magazine offers a unique...

Soft in the Middle: A Study of Contemporary SoftcoreThis book offers a nuanced look at a discreetly indecent genre, examining its history and deflationary trajectory. It challenges traditional...

Saturday Night Live and American TV explores the history of one of television's most iconic shows. From its origins as a sketch comedy program to its current status as a cultural phenomenon, this...

Lauren Rabinovitz's groundbreaking study explores the lives and films of three pioneering women filmmakers in the North American avant-garde cinema movement. At a time when women were scarce behind...

Great Scenes from Minority Playwrights: Seventy-Four Scenes of Cultural Diversity by Marsh CassadyA collection of scenes from Hispanic, Native-American, African-American, Jewish-American, and...

Broadway Decoded: Uncovering the Forgotten References of Musical Theatre. Discover the hidden world of Broadway musicals, where classic shows are filled with references, expressions, names, objects,...

Cyprus is often associated with conflict and division, but its film industry offers a different perspective. This book explores the work of filmmakers who have engaged with the island's complex...

Roman Polanski: The Cinema of a Cultural Traveller by Ewa Mazierska explores the diverse and eclectic film career of one of cinema's most talented directors. A cultural traveller with an interest in...

The Cinematic ImagiNation: Indian Popular Films as Social History by Jyotika Virdi explores how post-Independence Hindi cinema constructs and negotiates the concept of the nation. Through an analysis...

Surfing has been featured in films since Thomas Edison shot footage of Waikiki beachboys in 1906. Initially, surfing appeared in travelogues or as background for studio features. However, the release...

Ride the Frontier: Exploring the Myth of the American West on Screen By Flavia Brizio-Skov This book offers fresh perspectives on popular Westerns, examining the genre's history and defining aspects...

The Carol Burnett Show Companion So Glad We Had This Time by Wesley Hyatt is a comprehensive guide to one of America's most beloved television variety series. Spanning 11 seasons and 276 episodes,...

Act As If: A Practical Guide to Navigating Hollywood. For those considering a career in acting, this book offers a refreshingly honest and humorous look at the industry. Petrea Burchard shares her...

Film by Design: The Art of the Movie Poster is a groundbreaking exploration of the international and Hollywood movie poster as a dynamic artistic and cultural formation. Drawing inspiration from...

A Cold Day in Hell is a powerful single-character play that explores one man's struggle to cope with his wife's hospitalization and the emotional toll it takes on their family. Written by Jan...

Yvonne De Carlo: A One-Woman Play in Two Acts is a personal and introspective look at the life of Hollywood legend Yvonne De Carlo. Written by Michael B. Druxman, this one-woman play delves into De...

The story of cinema in Salisbury spans over a century, from its early beginnings at the annual charter fair to the golden years of state-of-the-art cinemas. This history is told through the lens of...

Hollywood's Pre-code Horrors 1931-1934 explores the American horror genre during its most provocative period. Between 1931 and 1934, before the strict Production Code took hold, Hollywood produced...

From the dawn of cinema to the age of the Internet, Boston Globe film critic Ty Burr explores our enduring obsession with fame. This captivating history delves into how we've come to idolise stars...

Marking Time: Performance, archaeology and the city explores the history of alternative theatre-making in Cardiff since the 1960s. This book takes you on five itineraries to fifty significant sites,...

Applied Theatre: Economies by Molly Mullen explores the complex relationship between applied theatre and the economy. This book examines how socially committed theatre makers fund and finance their...

HBO has been redefining television since its launch in 1972. Today, pay television is seen as the premier site for "quality television." This collection of new essays by an international group of...

The End of an Era: Mad Men and the Ordeal of Civility by James J. O'Meara is a thought-provoking exploration of the cultural impact of AMC's Mad Men. Drawing on insights from Kevin MacDonald and René...

The Lost Films Fanzine Presents Movie Milestones #3 celebrates the work of Japanese filmmaker Sakyo Komatsu, marking his 90th birthday. This issue delves into Komatsu's Showa Era film adaptations,...

Contemporary Farce on the Global Stage provides a detailed survey of how farce has evolved in the 21st century. This genre often gets dismissed as frivolous, but it speaks a universal language that...

This study explores the relationship between early cinema and the pictorial arts, tracing the evolution of film from magic lantern experiments in 1890s New York to early Hollywood feature films in...

Wallowing in Sex: The New Sexual Culture of 1970s American Television by Elana Levine explores how commercial television played a crucial role in shaping America's sexual mores, identities, and...

The Divided World Plays collection brings together powerful and poignant works by playwrights from the Middle East, shedding light on lives lived under occupation, conflict, and exploitation...

Explore the darker side of Hollywood's golden age with this comprehensive guide to 17 driving tours that uncover the scandals and tragedies behind some of Tinseltown's most infamous locations. From...

The incredible true story of John "Jack" Whiteside Parsons is one of genius and mystery. A rocket scientist by day and black magic occultist by night, Jack's life was marked by a colorful cast of...

Glamour in a Golden Age explores the lives and careers of iconic movie stars from the 1930s. This collection of essays by film scholars delves into the cultural context that enabled these actors and...

Television and Serial Adaptation by Shannon Wells-Lassagne explores a key aspect of television's development that has been relatively overlooked. The practice of adapting pre-existing narratives is...