This book investigates how evolving communication structures have fundamentally reshaped culture and theatre throughout history. Tobin Nellhaus, drawing on critical realism, examines the interplay between societal structures, agents, and discourses to understand theatre's transformations. The work posits that a culture's specific communication technologies—from oral traditions to electronic media—are key determinants in the evolution and manifestation of theatrical forms. This approach offers a novel perspective on the historical development of theatre by linking it directly to broader shifts in human communication.

The book is positioned as a foundational text for understanding theatre through the lens of critical realism and communication theory. Its approach is noted for its originality in linking cultural shifts directly to the evolution of communication technologies and their impact on theatrical practice. The work is likely to appeal to scholars and students of theatre history, cultural studies, and sociology seeking a theoretically grounded analysis of historical change.