Creating and Performing Reader's Theatre

Some of your students are all about drama. They need to be the center of attention and are always looking for an audience. Channel their energy! Use reader's theatre to put them in the spotlight while improving reading fluency and comprehension.

Creating a Script • Photocopy a short, exciting scene with two or three characters speaking. You'll need a copy for each character plus another for the narrator part. • Highlight the dialogue on a script for each character and highlight the parts that aren't dialogue for the narrator's script. Setting the Stage • Define reader's theatre: it's a short play that you don't have to memorize! • Remind students to use expressive faces and voices. • Encourage performers to speak loudly enough to be heard at the back of the room. Preparing to Perform • Performance group members equal the number of parts in the script if possible. • You may need to have groups that have one fewer performer than there are parts; it’s not a bad thing to have the same student read two smaller parts. • Allow students to choose their own parts within each group but set a time limit to make it happen. Announce that casting conflicts will be resolved by one round of rock/paper/scissors. • Have groups rehearse the script three times - the first for fluency, the second to add expression, and the third for teamwork so that each reader comes in at the right time.

For scripts and more ideas on using reader's theater, read Chris Gustafson's Acting Out. Reader's Theatre Across the Curriculum from Linworth Publishing.