Readers Theatre
In Readers Theatre, participants read aloud from play scripts. As team building, the activity can be for the "actors" only, or they can have an audience. Actors use vocal expression rather than visual storytelling such as sets, costumes, and intricate blocking.
Before an audience, the actors can sit stools or chairs or stand at microphones. There can be no costuming, or the costumes can simple as hats and jackets, or more elaborate. As a party game, there is no rehearsal necessary; some groups do have rehearsals and even memorize the lines. It can be done with or without a designated director.
Objectives
Fun and entertainment; getting to know each other; reading material of interest to the group and relevant to its regular activities; stepping outside the box, education about a topic.
Group Size
Materials
Scripts can be found at libraries, bookstores, and online.
Set Up
Decide on a play, obtain copies of the script, schedule a date with adequate time, arrange for audience if desired.
Debrief
Discussions about the theme, messages, and characters can lead to insights about team activities. Discussions about the process of organizing and doing the activity can inform future projects.
Alternatives
With smaller groups, each actor can take more than one part. This works best if the characters appear mostly in different scenes.
Shakespeare In a Box is a packaged product with a condensed script of one of several Shakespeare plays, directions on how to divide the parts for different sized groups, and some simple props. Here is an example: Taming of the Shrew
