Theatre, Brief: 2026 Release ISE

1 What Is Theatre?

2 What Is a Play?

3 Acting

4 Playwriting

5 Design and Technology

6 Directing

7 Theatre Traditions and Histories

8 The Modern Theatre

9 Musical Theatre

10 Theatre Today

Theatre, Brief emphasizes that theatre is a reflection of ourselves: at the core of any great art is a commentary on the human experience. Theatre is not merely entertainment, but a way for people to connect with one another and express important ideas about our culture and society. Theatre, Brief immerses its readers in the world of professional theatre, giving them in-depth descriptions of many job functions and various aspects of a play’s production from beginning to end. Students will enjoy the “Why Study” Spotlight and sidebar features that connect the chapter topics to future careers. Through coverage of design, acting, and directing, students are given a behind-the-scenes look at professional theatre artists performing their craft.