The Theatre Classroom — Readers Theatre

May 25th, 2012

An anecdote about successfully using readers theatre

Sorry to be so late in submitting my blog — the month of May just got away from me.

I said that I was going to use the App “The Amazing Improv Generator” I talked about in my March 7 blog when I started teaching “Let’s Act Up Some More” with my over 50 “kids” (Montana Osher Lifelong Learning Institute — MOLLI). Well … to make a long story short, I was unable to do it.

I had a very small class with wonderful folks, a third of which were unable to get up and “do.” One had a cane and a magnifying class, another had a very bad leg and had great trouble moving, and another had to use a walker and could not walk without it. So all my plans for any kinds of “doing” activities was out. Back to the drawing board!

I settled on presenting a readers theatre with pieces from James Thurber, Shel Silverstein, Delia Ephron, among others, but because of attendance — I never had everyone there for any class — I was unable to do any kind of directing or polishing. On the last day of class, minus one of the members, we did perform for the MOLLI staff and my “kids” were amazing (see the two pictures above).

Now to get back to the App.  I am going to teach again up at the wonderful Flathead Lake with the Missoula Children’s Theatre Fine Arts Camp. I will be working with the students on improv and putting that App to use. I’ll report back in September.

Have a wonderful summer.  Hopefully it won’t be too hot!