A Comprehensive Guide to Readers Theatre —
Abstract of

Chapter 1
An Introduction to Readers Theatre

Alison Black

Anna M. Stave

This chapter familiarizes you with the concept of Readers Theatre and its theoretical base, highlighting the many proven benefits of this instructional method and placing it within the specific context of a middle school classroom. It provides a general overview of the core elements of Readers Theatre, describing the roles of the teacher and students, possible settings, and the selection of audience for rehearsals and performance, and it illustrates how Readers Theatre has the unique ability to make a variety of texts accessible to students. The discussion of the research base and theoretical background covers the following areas: oral communication skills, reading fluency and comprehension, reading motivation, vocabulary development, story schema, and language structure. The importance of collaboration and a brief exploration of the adaptability and practicality of Readers Theatre are also addressed.

Black, A., & Stave, A.M. (2007). An Introduction to Readers Theatre. In A Comprehensive Guide to Readers Theatre (pp. 3-18). Newark, DE: International Reading Association.