The Stage Directions Guide to Shakespeare offers practical advice on everything a regional, community, or academic theater needs to know when taking the plunge into a Shakespearean play, including:

• sensible advice on reasons to do (or not to do) Shakespeare
• assessing your theater group’s abilities
• selecting a play
• casting
• making costume and set decisions
• special demands of directing and playing Shakespeare
• publicity
• and much more.

Contents:
Part I: The Question is Why
1. Seven Reasons Not to Attempt the Classics
...and All the Reasons Why We Should, Anyway Dale Lyles
2. Committing to the Classics
What to Do If Your Public Isn't Familiar with Works by the Bard Diane Crews

Part II: Directing the Shakespearean Play
3. "Well, At Least It's in English, You Know"
Tips on Producing Shakespeare Stephen Peithman
4. Plumbing the Unknown Bottom
A Conversation with Barry Edelstein Iris Dorbian
5. On Updating Shakespeare
6. The Play's the Thing Ivan W. Fuller
7. The Offbeat Bard
Six Companies Take Very Different Approaches to Shakespeare, Proving That All's Well That Ends Well
8. Back to Basics? Neil Offen
10. When All Hell Breaks Loose
Advice on How to Stage Melees, Brawls, and Other Big Fights Bruce Lecure
11. The Bard on a Budget
Shakespeare in the Small Lindsay Price
12. Small-Time Shakespeare
Six Rules to Follow When Working on a Budget

Part III: Acting the Shakespearean Play
13. Surmounting the Challenge
What Can an Actor Do? Julian Lopez-Morillas
14. Move Like an Elizabethan
Sitting, Standing, Gesturing, and Bowing As If to the Manner Born Bruce Lecure
15. Pulling Punches
An Introduction to the Basics of Safe Stage Combat Bruce Lecure
16. Leave Nothing to Chance
Stage Fights Must Be Choreographed and Rehearsed to Be Realistic and Safe Eileen P. Duggan
17. Learning From the Pros
18. Pulling Hair
A Violent Action Begins with a Flick of the Wrist Bruce Lecure
19. He Who Gets Slapped
The Safe Way to Give Someone the Back of Your Hand Bruce Lecure

Part IV: Selling Your Shakespeare
Cooperation, Not Competition, Was Their Key to Success

Part V: When Shakespeare's the Main Course
20. Summer with the Bard
Ashland's Oregon Shakespeare Festival Sets the Standard Nancianne Pfister
21. Training for the "Neo-Shakespearean Age"
At Southern Utah University, Students Focus on the Total Theater Experience Nancianne Pfister
22. Kids Strut Their Hour Upon the Stage

Part VI: Shakespeare, As You Like It
23. Teaching Shakespeare
A Powerhouse Teacher/Director Fulfills a Dream Iris Dorbian
24. Books on Shakespeare Performance
17 Useful Resources for Actors and Directors Stephen Peithman