Definition: Reader’s Theatre is a strategy that adapts written text into simple dramatic play.

• Students read from a script to tell a story in an entertaining form.
• Requires no costumes, no sets and minimal props.
• There is no memorization.

Purpose and Benefits:

• Helps children read with expressive voices and bring text to life
• Helps students improve comprehension
• Learn new words and new concepts
• Improves oral reading and oral language skills
• Students with reading issues get support from their classmates
• Students are exposed to different genres

Procedure:

Note: the steps to creating a readers’ theatre can be done over a few days or a week.

• Select an appropriate text that contains dialogue and write the script.
  • Most picture books are appropriate to create a script for a readers’ theatre.  You can use the entire book or parts of the text.
  • Keep speeches and narrative passages short.
  • The teacher reads the script using appropriate expression.
    • All students should have a copy of the script.
    • Have students join in where there is dialogue.
    • Have students read the entire script in unison.
    • Assign parts (or allow students to select parts).
      • If the text has only a few characters, different students can play that character.
      • The students take home the script to practice reading their parts.
      • Have the class rehearse the readers’ theatre a few times before the final performance.

Staging the Play

• The reader should be visible to the audience so they can hear the lines, see movements and all facial expressions.
• Have ‘players’ look at, talk to, and react to the other characters in the play.
  • The narrator can face the audience.
  • Students/characters can be all together in front of the audience or you can have some exit and enter from the side at appropriate places
  • If desired, you can video tape the performance and watch it with the entire class.
  • Encourage students to share compliments and constructive criticism.