Introduction

Let’s Make Magic

A Note to Teachers

Welcome to Crafting Theatrical Magic: Building Worlds Through Theatre Design and Production, a textbook born from necessity, reflection, and a deep commitment to equity in theatre education. This book was written not just to teach the technical skills of design and backstage production—but to reimagine how we teach them.

I chose to create this resource as an Open Educational Resource (OER) because I believe every student deserves a fair and equitable shot at learning, regardless of the zip code they live in, the tuition they can afford, or the textbook they can purchase. Too often, the tools students need are locked behind paywalls. Theatre, in its purest form, should be accessible, and so should learning about how it’s made.

This book is structured for a flipped classroom. That means students are expected to read chapters ahead of class so that our time together can be focused on doing—building models, testing lighting cues, drawing scenic renderings, mixing paint, designing costumes, collaborating on props, learning to safely use tools, and most importantly, working as a team. Students who arrive prepared will find themselves in a classroom that feels more like a studio or a rehearsal room than a lecture hall.

You’ll also notice that this text is deeply influenced by Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (CRP). I’ve intentionally woven these frameworks throughout the content and structure to ensure all students—across learning styles, lived experiences, languages, and identities—can engage meaningfully with the material. Each chapter offers options for representation, expression, and engagement, with inclusive examples and accessible learning pathways. This book honors what your students bring into the room, and supports them in building the skills they need to thrive as designers, technicians, and creative collaborators.

This text was also written to cover the content I felt was manageable for an introductory level course in Theatre Production and Design. Many textbooks feature an abundance of information that is often glossed over rather than soaked up. My goal was to make this a manageable text for both student and teacher to ensure smooth utilization.

Thank you for choosing to teach with this text. I hope it inspires your students—and you—to create the magic that only theatre can make.

A Note to Students

Hi there, and welcome! I’m so glad you’re here.

This book was written for you. I know college is expensive, and textbooks often add hundreds of dollars to the cost of an education. That’s why I made this book an Open Educational Resource (OER)—which means it’s free to use, adapt, download, or print. My hope is that this removes a financial barrier, so you can focus on the fun, messy, creative work of learning to make theatre.

Here’s how to get the most out of this book:
Think of it like your rehearsal script or your actor’s score. In the same way an actor doesn't wait until rehearsal to learn their lines, you shouldn’t wait until class to learn the basics. This class is about making. So read before class, take notes, highlight, sketch in the margins—whatever helps you show up ready to get your hands dirty and your ideas moving.

Each chapter will introduce new design and technical theatre concepts—from scenic painting to sound editing, from costume research to projection design—and offer you activities and assignments to practice what you’ve learned. You’ll also find reflection questions, choice-based projects, and real-world examples from Broadway, theme parks, schools, and community theatre.

This book is also built with care for diverse learners, and it includes multiple ways to access and engage with the material. Whether you learn best by reading, watching, doing, or talking it through—there’s space for you here. And if you’re someone whose identity has ever been left out of the story of theatre, I want you to know: you belong in this room.

Most of all, I hope this book helps you fall in love with the art of creating real-world magic through theatre production and design. There is something deeply powerful about building the spaces where stories unfold—and you’re about to become part of that magic.

Now, let’s get to work.

Bryan Stanton, MFA
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