Lesson 4 - 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 Kaya’s Heart Song 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 will your journey begin?
WHAT will you bring, do, or find on the journey?
WHERE will your journey end?
2. Next, think about the BODY and the movement /music for the journey:
HOW can you incorporate movement into your performance?
Can you find music that reminds you of Kaya’s story? Can you sing Kaya’s song? (Boom taktak boom taktak boom, shick shak shook…)
3. Use your IMAGINATION, creating/collecting some props/costumes from around the house/classroom. Go back to your plan, the middle of your journey:
WHAT or WHO are you bringing, doing, or finding?
How will you represent the characters in your play? (through clothing, name tags, props, etc.?)
Using a paper roll and markers, think about the amazing backdrop you can create for your production!
4. Now FOCUS:
How are the child/children 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!
