My Reader’s Theatre Script
A Beginning

By: Original Author
Adapted by: Me

TIME:
LOCATION:
The notes on time and location will help actors with their
roles, and the notes will help the designers choose props
and scenic elements appropriate to the story.

CHARACTERS
Narrator
Character 1
Character 2
Character 3
Etcetera

SCENE 1
Stage directions and important setting notes are in italics
 underneath the Scene heading.

NARRATOR:
Once upon a time, some Characters created a
Reader’s Theatre script.

CHARACTER 1 (with excitement):  
Character names should be in all capital letters, so the
 actors don’t mix them up with the words they’re supposed
to say in the performance.  The dialogue should be in
 regular type, and it should be indented a bit.  Again, this
will help the actors find their text quickly
with their eyes.

CHARACTER 2 (eagerly):
    Why is it important to layout the text so carefully? 
Well, the audience wants to see the
actors’ faces and eyes. 
The easier the layout is to follow,
the more quickly and
successfully students can add acting
elements to their roles and stop burying
their faces in the script!
    
NARRATOR:
The Narrator can speak any time in the script.  He/she
can introduce new characters; give detailed images
of the setting; give insights into characters’
inner feelings; and provide transitions in the story. 
See pages 62-64 of From the Page to the Stage for
more details on introductions, transitions