Reader's Theatre

Reader's Theatre

Readers Theatre or Reader's Theater is a style of theatre in which the actors do or do not memorize their lines. In Readers Theatre, actors use vocal expression to help the audience understand the story rather than visual storytelling such as sets, costumes, and intricate blocking.

Readers Theatre is also known as Chamber Theatre or Interpretive Theatre. Readers Theatre has no apostrophe in the name because it is not a theatre owned by readers, rather it is an interpretive art form by readers.

Readers Theatre became popular during and following the second World War when resources to produce plays were scarce. A common Readers Theatre will be presented using only the scripts and stools or chairs. Limited costuming is sometimes used. While the readers may interpret the scenes or poems cold, in most cases the scripts are memorized and rehearsals are conducted with even more intensity than those conducted for a regular play.