Essential Texts for the Technical Director
Below are links to purchase texts that are an invaluable part of the Technical Director's library and body of knowledge.
Scenery Construction & Engineering:
Mechanical Design for the Stage by Alan Hendrickson
http://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Design-Stage-Alan-Hendrickson/dp/024080631X
Structural Design for the Stage by Alys Holden & Ben Sammler
http://www.amazon.com/Structural-Design-Stage-Alys-Holden/dp/024080354X
The Backstage Handbook: An Illustrated Almanac of Technical Information by Paul Carter
http://www.amazon.com/The-Backstage-Handbook-Illustrated-Information/dp/0911747397
Illustrated Theatre Production Guide by John Holloway
http://www.amazon.com/Illustrated-Theatre-Production-Ramsey-Holloway/dp/0415717523
Stagecraft Fundamentals by Rita Carter
http://www.amazon.com/Stagecraft-Fundamentals-Second-Edition-Theatrical/dp/0240820517
Theatre Design and Production by Michael Gillette
http://www.amazon.com/Theatrical-Design-Production-Introduction-Construction/dp/0073382221
Theatre Engineering and Stage Machinery by Toshiro Ogawa
http://www.amazon.com/Theatre-Engineering-Stage-Machinery-Toshiro/dp/1904031021
A Practical Guide to Greener Theatre by Ellen E. Jones
http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Guide-Greener-Theatre-Sustainability/dp/0415663245
Rigging:
Stage Rigging Handbook by Jay O. Glerum
http://www.amazon.com/Stage-Rigging-Handbook-Third-Edition/dp/0809327414
Entertainment Rigging for the 21st Century by Bill Sapsis
http://www.amazon.com/Entertainment-Rigging-21st-Century-Compilation/dp/0415702747
Rigging Math Made Simple by Delbert L Hall
http://www.amazon.com/Rigging-Math-Simple-Third-Edition/dp/0692309896
Entertainment Rigging by Harry Donovan
http://www.amazon.com/Entertainment-Rigging-Harry-Donovan/dp/097233811X
Safety:
The Health and Safety Guide for Film, TV, and Theater by Monona Rossol
http://www.amazon.com/Health-Safety-Theater-Second-Edition/dp/1581158629
Leadership & Management:
Management and the Arts by William J. Byrnes
http://www.amazon.com/Management-Arts-William-James-Byrnes/dp/0415663296
Understanding and Changing Your Management Style by Robert C. Benfari
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Changing-Your-Management-Style/dp/1118399463
Management of Organizational Behavior by Hersey, Blanchard, & Johnson
http://www.amazon.com/Management-Organizational-Behavior-10th-Edition/dp/0132556405
The Project Manager's Partner by Michael Greer
http://www.amazon.com/Project-Managers-Partner-Step-Step/dp/0874256100
Electricity:
Electricity for the Entertainment Technician by Richard Cadena
http://www.amazon.com/Electricity-Entertainment-Electrician-Technician-Richard/dp/0415714834
Miscellaneous:
Pocket Ref by Thomas J. Glover
http://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Ref-Thomas-J-Glover/dp/1885071000
The Prop Building Guidebook by Eric Hart
http://www.amazon.com/The-Prop-Building-Guidebook-Theatre/dp/0240821386
Technical Design Solutions for the Theatre Volumes 1, 2, &3 by Ben Sammler and Don Harvey
http://www.amazon.com/Technical-Design-Solutions-Theatre-Collection/dp/0240804902
http://www.amazon.com/Technical-Design-Solutions-Theatre-Collection/dp/0240804929
http://www.amazon.com/Technical-Design-Solutions-Theatre-Volume/dp/0415824303
Timber Construction Manual by the American Institute of Timber Construction
http://www.amazon.com/Project-Managers-Partner-Step-Step/dp/0874256100
Steel Construction Manual by the American Institute of Steel Construction
http://www.amazon.com/Steel-Construction-Manual-American-Institute/dp/1564240606
Why Buildings Fall Down: How Structures Fail by Matthys Levy and Mario Salvadori
http://www.amazon.com/Why-Buildings-Fall-Down-Structures/dp/039331152X
Why Buildings Stand Up: The Strength of Architecture by Mario Salvadori
http://www.amazon.com/Why-Buildings-Stand-Up-Architecture/dp/0393306763