USING READERS THEATER SCRIPTS WITH TEENS AND ADULTS
IMAGINE THIS SCENE
A group of readers gather together to read aloud a Readers Theater play script, "James Naismith, Inventor of Basketball." They have rehearsed the sports story in small group sessions, and are now ready to "perform" it for a small audience.
Some sit, some stand at the front of the room, facing their listeners. The reader reading the part of the newspaper reporter speaks to a staff photographer:
1/REPORTER: I need some photographs at the Springfield, Massachusetts YMCA for my sports article. Grab your camera.
2/PHOTOGRAPHER: What am I going to photograph?
1/REPORTER: Peach Baskets! Come on, and keep quiet during the interviews!
2/PHOTOGRAPHER: What's so important about a peach-colored basket?
1/REPORTER: They're not peach-colored baskets, they're bushel baskets for holding peaches. Let's go, we're late!
As the reading of the Readers Theater play script progresses, the characters above meet, talk with, and photograph a YMCA Supervisor, an enthusiastic novice basketball player, and finally, Naismith himself.
They hear how Naismith, a young YMCA instructor, decided to find an inside game for his students to play because of the cold Massachusetts winter weather. After trying indoor football and indoor soccer without success, he invented a game using the soccer ball and some old peach baskets found sitting in a corner. He nailed the baskets to the walls at either end of the gym and told his students the object of the game was to get the ball into the basket! The biggest problem, of course, was that someone had to climb up a ladder to get the ball out of the basket when a team scored and players often ran into the wall!
The photographer becomes so excited about the new game that she/he takes over the job of asking questions - much to the aggravation of the reporter! By the end of the reading, the history of basketball has been explored, and both newspaper employees have exchanged jobs:
1/REPORTER: You're sure to be famous, Mr. Naismith. Let's get some pictures.
(2/PHOTOGRAPHER MIMES HANDING CAMERA TO THE 1/REPORTER).
2/PHOTOGRAPHER: Yes, let's get some pictures. Why don't you take my picture with James Naismith, inventor of basketball?
(1/REPORTER ROLLS EYES, TAKES THE CAMERA.)
1/REPORTER: That sounds like a great idea. I'm so glad you came with me to take photographs!
The readers stand and bow. The audience applauds. Everyone is smiling. The reading performance of this Readers Theater script has been a resounding success.
INSTANT READING
Duplicate a Readers Theater play script, as needed. Pass scripts to all readers, or ask readers to share scripts in pairs. Ask readers to read through the scripts silently.
Assign parts to various members of the group. A?sk them to take a few minutes to underline their assigned lines in the script. Ask readers to write their character name or reader number on the front of the script.
Now, assigned readers can read story aloud from their seats. Correct pronunciations, clarify meanings, and ask readers to make notes on their scripts, if needed. Try to keep the story moving, however!
Next, ask same readers to assemble in front of the group for the second reading of the Readers Theater play script. When this reading is completed, discuss (plot, reading, or both), reassign parts, swap scripts, and read again.
Continue until interest lags. Collect scripts. You might want to have an instant reading of this type on a regular basis, once or twice a week.
COOPERATIVE READING
Assemble readers of similar reading levels. Pass out an appropriate Readers Theater play script to each reader.
Ask each reader to read through his/her Readers Theater play script silently. Then assign practice spaces to each group. Groups may now break away and go to their practice spaces.
Using cooperative learning techniques, each group assigns parts and rehearses its script. Suggestions for improvements, additions or changes must come from the group. Teacher or director may float from group to group encouraging the readers. Check to see that scripts have been underlined, as previously mentioned.
Allow each reader to take his/her Readers Theater play script home so that some home rehearsal may be accomplished. Suggest reading script aloud with various family members.
Schedule the group presentations. You might feature one group presentation per day for a week, or hold a "Friday Read-Aloud Festival" and present them all on the following Friday afternoon.
NOTE: You need not include all class members in a cooperative reading presentation. Depending upon the circumstances, selected groups may rehearse scripts for presentations at various times during the school year.
SHOW TIME!
You may wish to spend additional time rehearsing a Readers Theater play script, then perform it in front of an audience. You or a student may wish to take on the job of director and will need to consider stage entrances and exits, positioning of readers, costume ideas, minimal gestures or movement, and ways to "set up" your performance space using platforms, music stands, stools, etc.
The director will hold try-outs for reading parts, and post a rehearsal schedule.
During rehearsals, encourage readers to explore their parts in depth. Emphasize eye contact, diction, character development, controlled movement or mime, energy. Aim for a well-paced, well-rehearsed performance.
When appropriate, help readers examine each character's feelings. How does a character feel at the beginning of the tale? How and why do those feelings change as the story progresses? In what ways might each reader communicate these feelings to the listeners? Encourage the use of vocal and volume changes, facial expressions, posture, and varying tempo patterns.
Encourage readers to use their imaginations by adding more elements to the reading performance, if desired. Special hats or costume pieces, masks, props or signs can often help readers read aloud in a more theatrical fashion. Keep the additions simple, remembering that some readers will be required to hold the play script folder in one hand while managing a prop in the other.
Remind readers to hold Readers Theater play script folders down and away from their bodies. Readers may experiment to find comfortable and workable positions. Explain that facial expressions must be seen by the listeners, and spoken words must not be muffled by folders.
Stress oral interpretation. Rehearse until the piece runs smoothly, but don't ask readers to memorize lines. This is still a readers presentation. When ready, perform for any special audience.
HELPFUL HINTS
Getting the Most From Teen and Adult Readers When Using Readers Theater Play Scripts.
Encourage readers to research the tale in depth. Is it a folk or fairy tale? In what country was the story originally told? Has the story motif been identified in other countries too? If so, what special form did the story take? Are there similarities and/or differences? Is this a historical script? If so are the facts accurate?
Discuss plotline with readers by examining the individual characters, type of story, and story themes. Is the story worth rehearsing and sharing? Why? Why not?
Encourage readers to speak their lines the way their character would say the lines. Experiment with theatrical voices. Discuss with readers how each character feels as the story progresses. Suggest some different ways the readers can show the characters' inner feelings through their voices, facial expressions, and posture.
Suggest that each reader underlines his/her lines and writes notes on the Readers Theater play script. (Most scripts have been double spaced for this purpose.) Readers might underline important words to be stressed, mark pauses and inflections, or indicate good places for taking a needed breath. Other performance tips may be written in the margin.
Ask each reader to follow along in his/her own Readers Theater play script when others are reading. In this way, they will be ready to read when it is their turn.
Encourage all readers and listeners to help "direct" the reading by commenting, critiquing, adding suggestions.
Always stress oral clarity! Is the reader reading too fast, or too slowly? Does the reader need to concentrate on enunciation, articulation, or pronunciation of certain words? Can the reader be heard by all listeners?
Suggest the addition of costume pieces or props, but remember: Readers Theater doesn't necessarily require any theatrical effects. Any Readers Theater play script needs only to be read aloud with expression, enthusiasm, and enjoyment! Trust me, you're your audience will love it!
