Theatre Work: Reimagining the Labor of Theatrical Production

Brídín Clements Cotton, Natalie Robin

• Publisher: Focal Press
• Year: 2024
• Print ISBN: 9781032361352
• eBook ISBN: 9781040016695
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Labour Economics

Theatre Work: Reimagining the Labor of Theatrical Production investigates both the history and current realities of life and work in professional theatrical production in the United States and explores labor practices that are equitable, accessible, and sustainable.

In this book, Brídín Clements Cotton and Natalie Robin investigate the question of artmaking, specifically theatrical production, as work. When the art is the work, how do employers navigate the balance between creative freedom and these equitable, accessible, and sustainable personnel processes? Do theatrical production operations value the worker? Through data analyses, worker narratives, and analogues to the evolving gig economy, Theatre Work questions everything about theatrical production work – including our shared history, ways of operating, and assumptions about how theatre is made – and considers what might happen if the American Theatre was reborn in an entirely new form.

Written for members of the theatrical production workplace, leaders of theatrical institutions and productions, labor organizers, and industry union leaders, Theatre Work: Reimagining the Labor of Theatrical Production speaks to the ways that employers and workers can reimagine how we work.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Endorsement Page
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Credits
• Foreword by Carmen Morgan
• Preface
• Section One | How We Got Here
• Section Two | Where We Are
• Section Three | Where We Go
• Appendix A | Production Worker Survey
• Appendix B | Production Employer Survey
• Appendix C | Data Methodology by Wayne Carino
• Acknowledgements
• Bibliography
• Index