Margaret Shewring is Emeritus Reader in Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Warwick and former Director of the Diploma and MA in Theatre Consultancy. Much of her research and publication is concerned with spaces for performance from the Renaissance to the present.Robin Townley is Chief Executive of the Association of British Theatre Technicians, with over thirty years' experience in the arts and entertainment industry. He is a director of Skillscene and a member of the Standing Committee for Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment.Tim Foster is the founding partner in Foster Wilson Architects, now Foster Wilson Size. He is currently chairman of the ABTT Theatre Planning Committee and the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT) Architecture Commission. He is Fellow of the ABTT and, from 2009–2015, was a trustee of The Theatres Trust.David Hamer, a theatre architect working on the design of both new build and refurbished performing arts venues, works for Theatre Projects consultants. He created the drawings for the ABTT book Modern Theatres 1950—2020, published by Routledge in 2021.

• Section 1: Design principles Section 2: Developing the brief Section 3: Social principles for the twenty-first century Section 4: Front of house and other public spaces Section 5: Auditorium design principles Section 6: Auditorium: Sensory and practical imperatives Section 7: Backstage creative environment Section 8: The stage and stage machinery Section 9: Lighting, sound and video Section 10: Restoration and conversion of existing buildings Section 11: Moving forwards: a call to action Reference projects

"This new edition of Theatre Buildings brings up to date our understanding of the range and complexity of theatres. The contributors have shared a wealth of knowledge to help deliver excellence and inclusion to audiences, setting a very high bar. This is a definitive book. It informs choices for the future, reflects on the success of the past, and sets out a range of tools whilst being clear in our needs. It will be essential to those studying, working or dreaming of theatre and the creation of the multi-faceted spaces that serve performance."James Williams, Chief Executive of the Shaftesbury Theatre, London. Sightline: Journal of Theatre Technology and Design, Spring 2024"The book takes you through the whole process of designing and building a theatre. The last section, ‘Moving forwards: a call to action’, is a pledge to give several social issues and values much more attention in the process of developing a theatre. It speaks, amongst others, about sustainability, inclusivity, accessibility, and engagement with communities. For me, this was written from the heart. The book is very pleasant to read and covers a comprehensive list of aspects which one has to deal with when working on a theatre project … the information is complete, at the right place and spot on."Louis Janssen, retired theatre consultant at Theateradvies bv, the Netherlands. Sightline: Journal of Theatre Technology and Design, Spring 2024"One key to the Guide’s success is that it is a collaborative work – its pages distil the combined knowledge of 60 leading theatre design practitioners, expertly stitched together by Margaret Shewring. Its range is encyclopaedic: from the fundamental purpose of theatre to aspirational social principles, theatre forms and techniques, to essential information on the dimensions of seats, and heights of balustrades. Throughout it is succinct and authoritative.The 32 Reference Projects [feature theatres built or renovated] within the last twelve years ... The precision of [the] drawings; plans, the site plans that put them into context and the essential cross-sections, convey so much more than words. David Hamer’s contribution in producing these drawings, so rigorously consistent in format, scale and graphic design, is of immense value and an important resource for all theatre practitioners."Tim Ronalds, founding director of Tim Ronalds Architects. Sightline: Journal of Theatre Technology and Design, Spring 2024"Theater buildings are examined and presented in a multi-faceted approach, considering the spaces and functions from the perspective of the audience, the artistic director, and the operations manager, in a very detailed way [that] is useful in triggering the right questions for each reader/user to find their own answers, relevant to their own context … This latest edition … [provides] a comprehensive body of information created by experts for navigating the construction of theater buildings in the 21st century. This makes it not just 'a' design guide, but 'the' design guide for the world of performance arts buildings."Selma Göker Wilson, International Associate AIA, RIBA, TMMOB, Schimber Group, Sarasota, Florida, USA. USITT (United States Institute for Theater Technology) news, May 2024"This new edition covers the wide range of things that should be thought about … from backstage, to front of house, from auditorium flow and ventilation all the way to the social principles for a twenty first century theatre building … It is an incredibly interesting read, for those who are just starting out in their career to those who have spent a lifetime working and existing within these buildings."Charlotte Geeves, Executive Director at Bristol Old Vic. TM, Theatres Trust Magazine, Summer 2024

Margaret Shewring is Emeritus Reader in Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Warwick and former Director of the Diploma and MA in Theatre Consultancy. Much of her research and publication is concerned with spaces for performance from the Renaissance to the present.Robin Townley is Chief Executive of the Association of British Theatre Technicians, with over thirty years' experience in the arts and entertainment industry. He is a director of Skillscene and a member of the Standing Committee for Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment.Tim Foster is the founding partner in Foster Wilson Architects, now Foster Wilson Size. He is currently chairman of the ABTT Theatre Planning Committee and the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT) Architecture Commission. He is Fellow of the ABTT and, from 2009–2015, was a trustee of The Theatres Trust.David Hamer, a theatre architect working on the design of both new build and refurbished performing arts venues, works for Theatre Projects consultants. He created the drawings for the ABTT book Modern Theatres 1950—2020, published by Routledge in 2021.

• Section 1: Design principles Section 2: Developing the brief Section 3: Social principles for the twenty-first century Section 4: Front of house and other public spaces Section 5: Auditorium design principles Section 6: Auditorium: Sensory and practical imperatives Section 7: Backstage creative environment Section 8: The stage and stage machinery Section 9: Lighting, sound and video Section 10: Restoration and conversion of existing buildings Section 11: Moving forwards: a call to action Reference projects

"This new edition of Theatre Buildings brings up to date our understanding of the range and complexity of theatres. The contributors have shared a wealth of knowledge to help deliver excellence and inclusion to audiences, setting a very high bar. This is a definitive book. It informs choices for the future, reflects on the success of the past, and sets out a range of tools whilst being clear in our needs. It will be essential to those studying, working or dreaming of theatre and the creation of the multi-faceted spaces that serve performance."James Williams, Chief Executive of the Shaftesbury Theatre, London. Sightline: Journal of Theatre Technology and Design, Spring 2024"The book takes you through the whole process of designing and building a theatre. The last section, ‘Moving forwards: a call to action’, is a pledge to give several social issues and values much more attention in the process of developing a theatre. It speaks, amongst others, about sustainability, inclusivity, accessibility, and engagement with communities. For me, this was written from the heart. The book is very pleasant to read and covers a comprehensive list of aspects which one has to deal with when working on a theatre project … the information is complete, at the right place and spot on."Louis Janssen, retired theatre consultant at Theateradvies bv, the Netherlands. Sightline: Journal of Theatre Technology and Design, Spring 2024"One key to the Guide’s success is that it is a collaborative work – its pages distil the combined knowledge of 60 leading theatre design practitioners, expertly stitched together by Margaret Shewring. Its range is encyclopaedic: from the fundamental purpose of theatre to aspirational social principles, theatre forms and techniques, to essential information on the dimensions of seats, and heights of balustrades. Throughout it is succinct and authoritative.The 32 Reference Projects [feature theatres built or renovated] within the last twelve years ... The precision of [the] drawings; plans, the site plans that put them into context and the essential cross-sections, convey so much more than words. David Hamer’s contribution in producing these drawings, so rigorously consistent in format, scale and graphic design, is of immense value and an important resource for all theatre practitioners."Tim Ronalds, founding director of Tim Ronalds Architects. Sightline: Journal of Theatre Technology and Design, Spring 2024"Theater buildings are examined and presented in a multi-faceted approach, considering the spaces and functions from the perspective of the audience, the artistic director, and the operations manager, in a very detailed way [that] is useful in triggering the right questions for each reader/user to find their own answers, relevant to their own context … This latest edition … [provides] a comprehensive body of information created by experts for navigating the construction of theater buildings in the 21st century. This makes it not just 'a' design guide, but 'the' design guide for the world of performance arts buildings."Selma Göker Wilson, International Associate AIA, RIBA, TMMOB, Schimber Group, Sarasota, Florida, USA. USITT (United States Institute for Theater Technology) news, May 2024"This new edition covers the wide range of things that should be thought about … from backstage, to front of house, from auditorium flow and ventilation all the way to the social principles for a twenty first century theatre building … It is an incredibly interesting read, for those who are just starting out in their career to those who have spent a lifetime working and existing within these buildings."Charlotte Geeves, Executive Director at Bristol Old Vic. TM, Theatres Trust Magazine, Summer 2024

Margaret Shewring is Emeritus Reader in Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Warwick and former Director of the Diploma and MA in Theatre Consultancy. Much of her research and publication is concerned with spaces for performance from the Renaissance to the present.Robin Townley is Chief Executive of the Association of British Theatre Technicians, with over thirty years' experience in the arts and entertainment industry. He is a director of Skillscene and a member of the Standing Committee for Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment.Tim Foster is the founding partner in Foster Wilson Architects, now Foster Wilson Size. He is currently chairman of the ABTT Theatre Planning Committee and the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT) Architecture Commission. He is Fellow of the ABTT and, from 2009–2015, was a trustee of The Theatres Trust.David Hamer, a theatre architect working on the design of both new build and refurbished performing arts venues, works for Theatre Projects consultants. He created the drawings for the ABTT book Modern Theatres 1950—2020, published by Routledge in 2021.

• Section 1: Design principles Section 2: Developing the brief Section 3: Social principles for the twenty-first century Section 4: Front of house and other public spaces Section 5: Auditorium design principles Section 6: Auditorium: Sensory and practical imperatives Section 7: Backstage creative environment Section 8: The stage and stage machinery Section 9: Lighting, sound and video Section 10: Restoration and conversion of existing buildings Section 11: Moving forwards: a call to action Reference projects

"This new edition of Theatre Buildings brings up to date our understanding of the range and complexity of theatres. The contributors have shared a wealth of knowledge to help deliver excellence and inclusion to audiences, setting a very high bar. This is a definitive book. It informs choices for the future, reflects on the success of the past, and sets out a range of tools whilst being clear in our needs. It will be essential to those studying, working or dreaming of theatre and the creation of the multi-faceted spaces that serve performance."James Williams, Chief Executive of the Shaftesbury Theatre, London. Sightline: Journal of Theatre Technology and Design, Spring 2024"The book takes you through the whole process of designing and building a theatre. The last section, ‘Moving forwards: a call to action’, is a pledge to give several social issues and values much more attention in the process of developing a theatre. It speaks, amongst others, about sustainability, inclusivity, accessibility, and engagement with communities. For me, this was written from the heart. The book is very pleasant to read and covers a comprehensive list of aspects which one has to deal with when working on a theatre project … the information is complete, at the right place and spot on."Louis Janssen, retired theatre consultant at Theateradvies bv, the Netherlands. Sightline: Journal of Theatre Technology and Design, Spring 2024"One key to the Guide’s success is that it is a collaborative work – its pages distil the combined knowledge of 60 leading theatre design practitioners, expertly stitched together by Margaret Shewring. Its range is encyclopaedic: from the fundamental purpose of theatre to aspirational social principles, theatre forms and techniques, to essential information on the dimensions of seats, and heights of balustrades. Throughout it is succinct and authoritative.The 32 Reference Projects [feature theatres built or renovated] within the last twelve years ... The precision of [the] drawings; plans, the site plans that put them into context and the essential cross-sections, convey so much more than words. David Hamer’s contribution in producing these drawings, so rigorously consistent in format, scale and graphic design, is of immense value and an important resource for all theatre practitioners."Tim Ronalds, founding director of Tim Ronalds Architects. Sightline: Journal of Theatre Technology and Design, Spring 2024"Theater buildings are examined and presented in a multi-faceted approach, considering the spaces and functions from the perspective of the audience, the artistic director, and the operations manager, in a very detailed way [that] is useful in triggering the right questions for each reader/user to find their own answers, relevant to their own context … This latest edition … [provides] a comprehensive body of information created by experts for navigating the construction of theater buildings in the 21st century. This makes it not just 'a' design guide, but 'the' design guide for the world of performance arts buildings."Selma Göker Wilson, International Associate AIA, RIBA, TMMOB, Schimber Group, Sarasota, Florida, USA. USITT (United States Institute for Theater Technology) news, May 2024"This new edition covers the wide range of things that should be thought about … from backstage, to front of house, from auditorium flow and ventilation all the way to the social principles for a twenty first century theatre building … It is an incredibly interesting read, for those who are just starting out in their career to those who have spent a lifetime working and existing within these buildings."Charlotte Geeves, Executive Director at Bristol Old Vic. TM, Theatres Trust Magazine, Summer 2024