Lesson 5 - Experience
Reader’s Theatre
The Grown-Up Scoop
Books Alive! Student Entertainment (BASE) Reader’s Theatre is designed to engage participants in social emotional learning and apply lessons taught through reading and stories.
Creating Your Production
Together create your own version of Giraffes Can’t Dance in its entirety or part. To help you through this process, follow these five steps:
1. Think about a journey you will take. Use VOICE/WORDS, to describe a plan, divided into three parts: a beginning, a middle, and an end. Just a sentence or two will do!
Where does your story begin? (Gerald? At the dance? Meeting the cricket?)
Who will be the main characters? (Gerald and warthogs, rhinos, lions, chimps, baboons, cricket?)
Why are they there? (Gerald doing what he does best? Trying to dance? Listening to the advice of the cricket?)
2. Next, think about the BODY and the movement /music for the journey:
What will your body be doing in the story? (dancing, sitting, eating, buckling at the knees, etc.?)
Are you reminded of a favorite animal song? A song about trying your best? Will the song have words or be all instrumental? Will you sing a few lines or use a CD?
Will you incorporate musical instruments? (Will you recreate the beats of the jungle, tango, chacha, waltz, Scottish reel? Make instruments or have an authentic one?)
3. Use your IMAGINATION, creating/collecting some props/costumes from around the house/classroom. Go back to your plan, the middle of your journey:
How will you demonstrate your story? (Few presenters or group? Simple scene or more complex?)
*Reflection: The age, personalities, skills, and engagement of the children should be the driving vehicle in this journey!
Will you gather some items from around the house/classroom OR make a few things to accent your story? (Animal headbands? Masks? Tails? Grass? Trees? Moon? Stars?)
Are you adding dimensions to your story through your five (5) senses? ( Smell of grass? Texture of fur? A spotlight? Taste of herbs? Sound/rhythm of background music?)
4. Now FOCUS:
How are the child(ren) feeling about this endeavor? Why? Are they able to verbalize their favorite thing about this process? What feels easy? Are there problems?
5. PRACTICE: run through your production in full costumes and using all your props.
COOPERATION for your own dress rehearsals: Not all children may want to perform, solo or in a group. All members of a family, classroom, or community can contribute to a performance. Cooperating comes in many forms: gathering props; drawing artwork for scenery, invitations, programs; creating outfits; singing/dancing; providing background sounds; adjusting lighting; distributing flyers; and LISTENING!
Perform!
You’ve created your play, now it’s time to perform it! When your group feels ready, invite an audience. Your audience could be family members, friends, other students/classes, or community members!
