To be or not to be...

About Reader’s Theatre RRRReader’s Theatre introduces drama into literacy learning. UUUUnlike traditional theatre, Reader’s Theatre does not require costumes, makeup, props, stage sets, or memorization.

 For Reader’s Theatre, the student will only need voice, great facial expressions, and body gestures.  You will interpret the emotions of the characters through your acting! About Reader’s Theatre

To Decide on Parts: AAAAs a group, look through the entire script. PPPPay attention to characters you may be interested in and how often the character speaks. CCCCount how many parts are in this play. Will one person need to play 2 parts? DDDDecide on a fair way to choose parts.

DDDDesignate one person as the director. The director will be in charge of placement of characters and providing feedback to the actors. TTTThe director may or may not have a part in the play. TTTThe director must be someone who has great leadership skills!

To Prepare: HHHHighlight your part in the script copy. Mark only the words you will speak. UUUUnderline the words that tell about anything you’ll need to act out. FFFFirst, read through your part silently. If there are words you’re not sure of, look them up in the dictionary.

 Read through your part aloud. Should you try a funny voice? How would the character feel about what’s happening in the story? Can you speak as if the character is feeling that?  Now add faces and actions to your script!

Rehearsing:  Talk slowly. Speak each syllable clearly.  Talk loud! You have to be heard by everybody!  Stand and sit straight. Keep you hands and feet still if they are doing nothing useful!

Rehearsing:  When you do look at the script, move just your eyes and keep you head up.  When you are moving around, face the audience as much as you can. When rehearsing, always think about where the audience will be.  Remember to be your character, even when you’re not speaking.

Performing:  If the audience laughs, stop speaking until they can hear you again.  If someone talks in the audience, don’t pay attention.  If someone walks in the room, don’t look.  If you make a mistake, pretend it was right.

Performing:  If a reader forgets to read, see if you can read their part instead, or make something up, or maybe just skip over it. But DON’T whisper to the reader.