Reader's Theatre Basics

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Reader's Theatre is a valuable tool for any classroom.  It allows students to take virtually any piece of literature, analyse it and adapt it into a script.  This script can then be performed with a minimum of preparation, props or scenery.

I was first taught the skill of adapting Reader's Theatre scripts by
Judy Luster at Staples High School (who has been the resident Reader's Theatre guru for the town since I went through the system) and now enjoy doing it with my and other teacher's classes at the middle school level.

This section of the Web site will provide you with the knowledge, experience, resources and sources to conduct a reader’s theatre workshop in your classroom. There are two different ways to use reader’s theatre with your students:

  1. Have your students rehearse, read and perform a previously prepared reader’s theatre script in class. Discuss the story and invite students to give each other constructive criticism on their acting. You might use this as a kickoff to other language arts-based activities.
  1. Have your students find a piece of literature and then adapt it into a reader’s theatre script. Students will then rehearse, read and perform their script in class. Feedback will be given not only on students’ performances, but also on the creativity that went into their script adaptation.

While the first option is certainly the easiest to execute in your classroom, the second allows the students to really become involved in the literature, which is what reader’s theatre is all about. The students will, unconsciously perhaps, be involved in analyzing the structure, characterization, and description used in the literature. They will be stimulated to creatively adapt their piece and will really "own" their presentation.

You will learn how to use both processes on this site.

What is Reader's Theatre?

How to adapt a Reader's Theatre script

Reader’s Theatre Student Actor Objectives

Prepared Reader's Theatre Scripts

Books on Reader's Theatre

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