This book provides biographical and analytical data on significant historical and contemporary practitioners and theorists of the theatrical design field who have contributed to the development of the art. Beginning with a historical survey on the evolution of theatrical design, the volume features entries on some 270 set, costume, lighting, and theatre building designers, mainly dating from the fifteenth century to the present. Coverage is international, with a necessary emphasis on the United States and Western Europe.

Essays of varying length describe and evaluate the career and contributions of each designer, providing information on positions, productions, and awards and generally ending with sources for further reading. Particularly valuable are the detailed chronological listings of design credits given as available, mainly for prominent twentieth century figures. Appendixes to the volume list the designers chronologically by birth date and also by country of birth. The volume ends with an annotated general bibliography on theatre design and designers and an index. The only reference book specifically dedicated to theatrical designers, its coverage will significantly extend the information contained in more general works on theatre presently available for library research.

This reference provides a complete and concise record of the life and work of Oliver Smith, one of the foremost set designers of modern American theater. Narrative sections of the volume discuss Smith's career and life. Additional chapters document and analyze Smith's scenography from 1941 to the present, with special emphasis on exemplary productions and on his role in the development of American scene design. Chapters on ballet, musicals, plays, operas, and movie musicals contain entries for particular productions. Each entry explores the significance of a particular production. An appendix lists productions in chronological order and provides entry numbers to assist the reader in locating information in the book. An annotated bibliography of works by and about Smith provides additional information, and an index provides a means of accessing topics alphabetically. This bio-bibliography is a complete and concise record of the life and work of Oliver Smith, one of the foremost set designers of modern American theater.