CHAPTER 12 Computer Programs for the Theatre Computers are an essential part of modern life, and it is hard to imagine a time before they existed. In a short 20 years or so, they have drastically changed the way the world works, especially in a technical field like theatre production. Of course computers don't make anyone more artistic, but they do make just about everyone more efficient. From spreadsheets for the box office to playwriting, it's hard to do theatre today without computers. I have picked out four programs that are really essential to theatre production, and have written a short description of why they are important, plus a few tips on getting started. If you are like me, the best way to get started with a new program is just to play around with it and determine how to navigate through its features. After you've gotten your feet wet, you can find a guide to help you learn more about the nuances of the programs.