The only thing amateur about community theater is that it's done for the love of it, not a paycheck. Community theaters can be found all across the country in a range of buildings from local barns and Elks halls to churches and even actual theaters with full facilities. Plays-in-the-Park producing director Gary P. Cohen has worked in almost every type. And he has stored up enough knowledge, anecdotes, tips, and mishaps to merit a book. In The Community Theater Handbook, he offers a truly comprehensive guide to the many details involved in setting up and maintaining a successful community theater, regardless of size.

Cohen discusses the real nuts and bolts, beginning at the beginning:

• selecting a location for your theater (neighborhood, safety, parking issues)
• organizing the managerial and creative staffs
• choosing your season (market, audience, tolerance for new works)
• securing rights
• holding auditions
• designing sets, costumes, lighting, and special effects
• dealing with all the technical aspects of sound and lighting
• handling marketing and publicity.