readerstheaterforcelebrations

Readers' Theater makes more extensive use of the narrator than does regular drama. That's because the plays are usually performed with the actors seated or standing with their scripts in hand, and with the actions suggested rather than fully acted. Their parts are not memorized. Readers' Theater is far less demanding that regular theater, thus making it fun and flexible for working with children. If you would like to see my plays for adults, visit my other blog: firedogtheatre.blogspot.com.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Photos of Toy Theaters for classrooms

Working on toy theaters from cardboard boxes and tissue paper.

Finished!

Toy Theater with a collage effect

Scenery can be elaborate

Close up

One that shows scale, wings, and thrust stage

See the sticks (bamboo skewers) under the puppet? Kids manipulate the sticks to make the puppets move.
Skewers can also be added to the sides and manipulated from behind the wings.

Simplicity

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We live on First Parish Road.

These are readers' theater plays performed by the adults and children who live on First Parish Road in Scituate, MA, and their friends. We present them at holiday parties and birthday celebrations and sometimes, just because we feel like it.

Readers' Theater makes more extensive use of the narrator than does regular drama. That's because the plays are usually performed with the actors seated or standing with their scripts in hand, and with the actions suggested rather than fully acted. Their parts are not memorized. Also, you'll notice that the language is often more difficult than a five- or six-year-old can read. The children on First Parish Road are, of course, brilliant and precocious, but we get around the reading level problem simply by having an adult prompt the young performer. Readers' Theater is far less demanding that regular theater, thus making it fun and flexible for working with children.

All of these plays were written by me, Rebecca Saunders. I'd love to know what you think of them and if you'd performed any of them with your friends.

©2010

readerstheaterforcelebrations