Readers Theater FAQs

Basically, Readers Theater is two or more people having fun reading aloud. But, it's also proven fun and unlimited motivation for covering content and building lifelong skills.

Readers Theater does not require sets, costumes, blocking or memorization since the focus is on vocal interpretation of the scripts. Students may change parts during rehearsals, so they get more practice reading aloud.

Readers Theater improves fluency, comprehension, confidence, and oral reading skills. Plus, Readers Theater provides a safe space for students to get used to clearly reading and fearlessly speaking in front of a group while working on a team. That teamwork helps improve listening skills. Students are motivated to read and learn from trustworthy Readers Theater scripts–even in the content areas (e.g., health, history, science...)–since Readers Theater scripts can be both fiction and non-fiction. Readers Theater provides an opportunity for easy lesson plans for the teacher in most subjects.

Although Readers Theater is sometimes restricted to a reading block or language arts block of time, it seamlessly improves potentially boring lessons in other subjects (e.g., science, health, history). It may be enjoyed as a "hook" to a unit study, as the primary piece of a lesson with follow-up discussions, or even as a closing summary to a unit.

Teachers and parents choose a variety of ways to introduce Readers Theater scripts. Some introduce vocabulary first and model excerpts from a script. Some read the entire script chorally first. Some just ask a question, "Would you like to do a Reader Theater script on this topic?"

Typically teachers or parents select a trustworthy script on a topic or title appropriate for their students. Many teachers model reading part of the script and have the students read it chorally. After reading the script students volunteer for roles or the teacher assigns parts. Students then practice reading the script several times–sometimes changing parts. Finally, students look forward to an informal or formal performance ending in applause.

Readers Theater motivates students in the primary and elementary grades K-8; however, middle school, high school, and college students have also enjoyed learning via Readers Theater. English Language Learners, Special Ed students, and remedial students improve confidence and skills with Readers Theater. In fact, some senior centers have created Readers Theater groups! Since Readers Theater includes different parts you may include students of different reading levels in one script.

Choral reading of a Readers Theater script or choosing a script with a chorus includes an unlimited number of people. I had 4 groups of students each in different corners of the classroom rehearsing different scripts–with a student director in each. Buddy reading or partner plays between two readers can be enjoyed all at once for productive practices.

Since practice builds fluency and expression, rehearsing 3-5+ times makes sense. Changing parts and working on interpretation motivates more practice.

Emergent readers need short scripts (e.g., 1-2 pages). Beginning readers benefit from appropriate scripts (e.g., 1-5 pages) for building vocabulary. Primary and elementary readers enjoy scripts of almost any length. Some scripts tell one story in 2-3 parts, though. Most scripts should take about 5-15 minutes to perform. (Practices usually take longer because students are learning vocabulary and building fluency.)

No, since the scripts are held in stapled pages (or folders) students can focus on fluency and interpretation while building their confidence. Some teachers choose to color-code parts to help their students. Some teachers project short scripts on a screen.

Some teachers choose to enjoy Readers Theater as a classroom tool for building lifelong skills every day: Monday–introducing the script, Tuesday-Thursday–rehearsing the script, Friday–performing the script for an audience (e.g., classmates, younger class...). Choosing scripts in different subject areas (e.g., language arts, science, history, health) enhances unit studies. Some teachers choose to enjoy Readers Theater monthly, for easy substitute teacher plans, or for special holidays and programs.

Studies show that repeated reading improves fluency and comprehension. Readers Theater provides a purpose for repeated readings, thus motivating students. Since Readers Theater is often fun–not boring, students enjoy the repetition. They can even change voices for the different parts, enhancing the fun.

Readers Theater can sneak into any elementary classroom since it integrates learning across different skills and subjects. Choose shorter scripts, use choral readers theater or scripts with a chorus, and rotate through different groups reading their scripts. Many elementary teachers use a block of time on Fridays for short performances.

A Readers Theater audience can be almost anyone. Invite parents, school staff, and friends to periodic performances. Or, create opportunities for your students to perform for younger classes. Encourage students to perform scripts for their own classmates. And, if you have young students let them bring an "audience" of stuffed friends. Remember to applaud enthusiastically.

There are lots of Readers Theater rubrics online for you to evaluate students and for students to evaluate themselves or each other. We have some free rubrics on our website: Readers Theater All Year.

Teachers Pay Teachers offers both free and paid Readers Theater scripts. But, you can also find scripts in various places online. Readers Theater All Year seems to provide the most flexible and comprehensive library of hundreds of trustworthy Readers Theater scripts for Script Buffet Club members, but you'll also find many free Readers Theater scripts there.

Yes, students of all ages can learn to write their own Readers Theater scripts based on their own creative writing or from published literature that has lots of dialogue. Narration goes to the narrator and dialogue goes to the speaking parts. Students as young as first grade have created original Readers Theater scripts.

Both fiction and non-fiction texts work well for creating original Readers Theater scripts. But, you should ask the question, "What is the purpose of this Readers Theater script?" Then, choose an approach for conveying that purpose.

Yes, original or published poems and song lyrics can easily be adapted to Readers Theater. Oftentimes, choosing 2-4 parts works best.

Yes, homeschoolers can receive the same benefits of Readers Theater as other students (e.g., fluency, confidence, comprehension, teamwork, oral reading and delivery skills...). Family and friends Readers Theater builds fun memories. Homeschool co-ops enjoy Readers Theater for co-op classes and group performances.

Yes, community groups, senior centers, colleges, adult literacy classes, English Language Learners, and more use the amazing tool of Readers Theater for entertainment and education. Scripts may be shared as trainings that lead to further discussions (e.g., medical students).

Sure! But, choose a script with lots of dialogue and less narration. And, consider recording the voices ahead of time so the audience can hear and understand the speakers better.

You could have a small Readers Theater club with several families in your neighborhood, church, or co-op. You could work with the administration at your school to establish an after-school Readers Theater club. You could even try an online Readers Theater club with friends and family using Zoom.

You can save time, money, and stress by embracing the affordable membership in Readers Theater All Year's Script Buffet. You'll have Readers Theater "insurance" with a growing library of trustworthy scripts available 24/7 to make lesson planning easy. And, some Script Buffet Club members suggest topics for original scripts that are shared with our entire caring community of teachers. Plus, your membership pays to help keep Readers Theater All Year online to serve teachers around the globe. (Carol doesn't take a salary yet.)