Description

Book Synopsis
Illuminating the history of a typically hidden workforce, this book focuses on the work of New York City’s theatre technicians, shining a light on the essential contributions of unionised stagehands, carpenters, electricians, sound engineers, properties artisans, wardrobe crews, makeup artists, and child guardians.

Table of Contents
  • List of Illustrations
  • Acknowledgments
  • Part I: Backstage Narratives
  • Prologue
  • Introduction: Shining a Light on Backstage Labor
  • Chapter One: Working and Workers in New York City’s Theater Industry
  • Part II: Backstage Histories
  • Chapter Two: Commemoration as Union History
  • Chapter Three: Stagehands in Black and White
  • Chapter Four: Backstage Subjectivities, Work Choreographies, and Production Histories
  • Part III: Backstage Dramaturgies
  • Essay 1: Reading the Rude Mechanicals
  • Essay 2: Dressers Onstage and Dressing Offstage
  • Essay 3: Backstage Ensembles
  • Coda
  • Bibliography and Works Cited

Working Backstage

    Product form

    £27.50

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £28.95 – you save £1.45 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Fri 19 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback by Christin Essin


      View other formats and editions of Working Backstage by Christin Essin

      Publisher: The University of Michigan Press
      Publication Date: 9/30/2021 12:00:00 AM
      ISBN13: 9780472054961, 978-0472054961
      ISBN10: 0472054961

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Illuminating the history of a typically hidden workforce, this book focuses on the work of New York City’s theatre technicians, shining a light on the essential contributions of unionised stagehands, carpenters, electricians, sound engineers, properties artisans, wardrobe crews, makeup artists, and child guardians.

      Table of Contents
      • List of Illustrations
      • Acknowledgments
      • Part I: Backstage Narratives
      • Prologue
      • Introduction: Shining a Light on Backstage Labor
      • Chapter One: Working and Workers in New York City’s Theater Industry
      • Part II: Backstage Histories
      • Chapter Two: Commemoration as Union History
      • Chapter Three: Stagehands in Black and White
      • Chapter Four: Backstage Subjectivities, Work Choreographies, and Production Histories
      • Part III: Backstage Dramaturgies
      • Essay 1: Reading the Rude Mechanicals
      • Essay 2: Dressers Onstage and Dressing Offstage
      • Essay 3: Backstage Ensembles
      • Coda
      • Bibliography and Works Cited

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account