Reader’s Theatre
Student Actor Objectives
When performing reader’s theatre, the student actor should be striving to achieve the following. After a first showing of a scene the teacher/director should give notes stating which objectives need the most work. Assessment on a second showing should be based on the actor’s and group’s ability to improve on the objectives noted at the first showing.
Poise and Focus: The actor must stay "in character" at all times. There should be no fidgeting or looking around. The cardinal sin of any theater class is GIGGLING. It is important that actors understand the difference between the humor of their characterization causing the audience to laugh and they themselves laughing while performing.
Characterization and Acting: The actor should have a full understanding of the scene and her role in it. This should be apparent in vocal inflection, facial expressions, and body position.
Eye Contact: The audience should always be able to see the actor’s eyes. This means that the actor must look down quickly to remind him of the line but must have eyes up when speaking the line. Focus should be on a fixed point above the audience. When characters speak to each other, the actors do not look at each other but speak to their focus area as if it were the other character.
Projection and Diction: The student should be able to be heard clearly from the back of the classroom. Every student is capable of this but they may need to practice, as with any skill.
Pace: While an actor is performing, the pace should be comfortable but never too fast. Actors need to anticipate their cues and come in immediately with no pauses. The entire cast should use accelerated tempo to build a scene to a climax.
Ensemble: All actors in a scene should be working together to create their performance. There should never be a feeling of the actor grandstanding or performing in his own little world.
Peer Evaluation: When a group is performing the rest of the class should be watching and noting whether the above objectives are being met. All evaluation should be presented positively. This can be done orally or eventually (after students are comfortable with positive criticism) on "stickie" notes that can be collected for later reflection by the group. This can be one of the most valuable tools for actors. If actors can see what works or doesn’t work in other people’s work, they will use that knowledge in their own work.
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