Chapter+11

__Group Performance of Literature__ Reader's Theatre is used in classrooms today. Teachers can either find a script, or students adapt a story into a script with a narrator and characters. Once the student's have written the script, they will practice and perform it in front of the class. While performing, the characters stand in a line and whoever is speaking steps forward out of line to deliver the line. The performer's talk to the audience, much as Shakespeare's Hamlet talks to his audience. This allows the audience to be more involved. In Chamber theatre, the narrator is at the center of the stage, while performers act out the script (sans script in hand) around the narrator. There may even be costumes, however, the narrator tells the audience what is happening as it happens. It is almost like reading a novel and watching the "movie in your head" effect. Performer's may still be more than one character. When performing a film script, a performer should act as they "eye of the camera"-or narrator, while other's perform the script around them. I find that reader's theatre and even chamber theatre can be interesting additions to the English/Language Arts and Reading curriculums. Students will not only be enhacing their reading and writing skills, but they will be learning how to listen and speak fluently, while other students are on stage with them, making them more comfortable on the stage. This is great for students to learn inflection, pacing, pitch, projection, and some key forms of body language. Power of Reader's Theatre Activities: Reader's Theatre scripts Students select a text and modify it into a script. They then practice with their group and perform it to the class. (Groups of about 4 students) Chamber Theatre-Students are given various props and costumes to use. Students then pick their props and costumes and develop a character based off of these items. They also use the props to determine what the characters do. The narrator will tell the audience what is going on, as the oral interpreters perform with the props and costumes around the narrator. media type="youtube" key="kj9XhcwImmk" height="315" width="560" [] I would use this video to demonstrate Reader's Theatre to my students. media type="youtube" key="1uwHp4IrbxA" height="315" width="560" [] This would be used as an example for chamber theatre for the students in the classroom.