Collaborating Backstage: Breaking Barriers for the Creative Network

Collaboration is the most important facet of any theatrical company. From the performers on stage to the choreographers, designers and technicians working behind the scenes, this book considers all departments working on a production and instructs them on how to unify their individual skills towards a shared goal.
From Vaudeville to classical opera, this book establishes the skills that each specialist brings to the production process before demonstrating how each individual contribution can be utilized in tandem with all other creative teams.

With particular focus on enhancing interdepartmental communication, Collaborating Backstage examines all the challenges that may befall artistic companies and projects made up of many different parts. This book explains how to understand technical jargon within teams that speak a variety of languages and come from different cultural backgrounds; how to recognise and follow the 'unwritten rules' of theatre; and how best to achieve the ultimate creative potential of a team working completely in sync.

Underpinned by incisive theories on performance, communication and creativity, Collaborating Backstage is full of helpful illustrations and innovative methods to achieve effective working relationships in the theatre.

Timo Niermann is a backstage expert who has worked as a performer, director, stage manager, technician in the theatre for almost 20 years in more than 40 countries. He is experienced in various forms of production and performance including classical opera, circus, theatre, music festivals, cruise ships, and fairs. He has obtained degrees in stage technology and theatre science and conducted extensive research into working with people from different cultures, niches and backgrounds and channelling their skills into successful creative outputs.