The Dramatic Imagination: Reflections and Speculations on the Art of the Theatre, Reissue (Theatre Arts Book)

This book was recommended by a close friend who is a professional theater actor. I'm not a theater actor, nor do I study it, I am a theater enthusiast. I would always prefer a play over a movie. Thus, consider this a layman's review. Jones had enlightened me over an aspect of theater, that I admit, I normally overlooked: the background and stage. Typically, I'm focused on the actors' performance and story unfolding, and pay very little mind to the setting. I mean I would reference it for context of the dialogue, but it carries more of an importance than I originally thought. He also discusses the importance of costuming. This I definitely paid attention in my focus of the actors. The stage setting, the background, the lighting--he discusses their conception and construction quite...poetically. I read the book twice simply because I loved the way he spoke, and to research the plays he cited and worked on. It is a brilliant text that engages one to think dramatically, to think how to be true to context, and enhance the beauty of scenes or moments in life that we typically take for granted. Most layman's may not realize it, but the stage actually transcends the mood of the scene, the actors are secondary to that effect. Anyone who desires to succeed in stage design would make an effort to read this book.

Simply put, a must have for the library of anyone interested in theatrical design.Robert Edmund Jones was the father of the New American Stagecraft and has, as such, influenced all scenic and lighting designers who followed - even if they are not aware of it!As someone now entering his 20th year as a college prof, and around his 30th as a professional designer, I am constantly reinvigorated and enthused by the words of Jones. He reminds us of the importance of the arts in our society and why we do what we do.A rough paraphrase from the book - "Do we carry visions of poetry with us as we shout directions to electricians on ladders? Yes."

Even all these many years later the lessons in this book are valuable. REJ was a pioneer and a visionary and this book helps us to understand what he envisioned for the theatre and hopefully to help us to achieve some of his ideas. I have read this book many, many times and I never tire of it or the ideas. If only we could get to this state in American Theatre..... This is a must read for any student of theatre.

This book attempts to define a philosophical approach to stage design, to describe the "why" that underscores the "how" of scenery, lighting, sound, costuming. It does not prescribe or describe practical application. The writing style is flowery and a bit to get over initially. Jones's ideas are interesting, if a few are a bit old-fashioned. However, everything old is new again, including theatre design, so the ideas that Jones presents about theatre design's purpose, meaning, and value are useful to consider. This is a book to reference when considering general design goals, or to glean beautifully worded phrases for research or concept presentations that reveal and elevate the ART in the art of stage design.

Worth about a million stars at least. Be warned; this is not an instructional text. Rather it is a great and inspiring observation of the (then current) state of the theatre, as well as descriptions of former great productions and the art/set designers, lighting designers and actors who made them that way. Super inspirational, this book will make you work harder.

Bought this for an Intro to Design class, it is a good read. I wouldn't have bought it if not for school though. There are some fantastic quotes in this book that I have carried in my memory bank. I recommend this only for those with interests in theatre, but in particular those with a focus on design.

I did not read this book until working on my masters degree. It is not only an excellent book for anyone interested in theatre but a great philosophy of life. Everyone should read this little book.

A lovely and quick read. This book reminds me of the power of theatre from a holistic perspective. I thoroughly enjoyed it.