Download What Is Reader`s Theatre

What Is Reader’s
Theatre?
For more reader’s theatre, visit Aaron
Shepard’s RT Page at
www.aaronshep.com/rt
Reprinted from the book Readers on
Stage, Shepard Publications, 2004.
Copyright © 1996, 2004 Aaron Shepard.
Reader’s theatre is minimal theatre in support of literature and
reading.
There are many styles of reader’s theatre, but nearly all share these
features:
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Narration serves as the framework of dramatic
presentation.
No full stage sets. If used at all, sets are simple.
No full costumes. If used at all, costumes are partial or
neutral and uniform.
No full memorization. Scripts are used openly in
performance.
Reader’s theatre was developed as an efficient and effective way to
present literature in dramatic form.
Miss Trudy-Anne Rowe  2004
Trudy-Anne Rowe  2004
How do I use Reader’s Theatre? –
Possible Teaching and Learning Sequences.
Week One
1)In a reading group setting, a guided silent reading approach can be
taken. The students are to read the actual story of what they will be
performing as a play.
The group can use “post-its” to write down any vocabulary or words
that they are unsure of the meaning or pronunciation.
Dictionary skills and formation of a glossary can be established.
Discussion about the story and what the story means.
2)The group can then answer comprehension questions that have been
designed by the teacher and then design their own comprehension
questions that are answered by their group members.
3)The group can then “story-board” the main events in the story.
4) The group can then share their storyboards with each other.
Miss Trudy-Anne Rowe  2004
Trudy-Anne Rowe  2004
Week Two
1)The group is given the script of the story
– all of the members of the group are to
read each of the parts.
NO PARTS TO BE ELECTED YET!!
Then the group is to be choose the best
person for each part. The group needs to
reach a consensus for this 
Reading aloud with good clarity and projection is the main skill that is
being developed here. Each child is to hold their script high enough
for their voice to be projected, but not too high so that their face is
covered!
2)Once parts have been elected – rehearsal can begin.
Teaching of basic stagecraft is needed – eg
Where is your audience?
No backs to the audience!
Usage of different levels to shape the scene.
This can either be taught to the group or as a whole class lesson.
3)Rehearse, Rehearse and Rehearse – the group can rehearse with
their script as memorisation is not a factor in Readers’ Theatre.
Rehearsal can take between 1-2
weeks!!
Once the group know what they
are doing, they will add their
own creative flair to the
direction and production of
the Reader’s Theatre 
Miss Trudy-Anne Rowe  2004
Trudy-Anne Rowe  2004
Week Three and Four
The team should then perform to an audience 
Performing in an “open-air” context is great, however great voice
clarity and projection is needed!
When performing, no or lack of props is required and scripts can be
used.
Once performed, the audience is to give them some feedback and
some feedforward.
*Things that they enjoyed about the Readers’ Theatre
*Things that could be improved about the Readers’ Theatre.
I have used the feedforward given to the group for changes to be
made to their next performance of their same piece of Readers’
Theatre or the Readers’ Theatre can end there.
A self-assessment sheet and peer evaluation sheet is to be completed
where future goals for Readers’ Theatre can be set.
Take up the challenge and give Reader’s Theatre a go!!
The kids will love the experience!!
Any questions, do not hesitate to ask Trudy 
Thank you 
Miss Trudy-Anne Rowe  2004
Trudy-Anne Rowe  2004