Play Reading and Analysis–An Important Skill for Our Students

Play Reading and Analysis–an Important Skill for Our Students

I am a drama teacher. Consequently, I eat, sleep and breath theater even now that I’m newly retired.

I listen to the Sirius Broadway station all day which keeps me abreast to upcoming productions and tours.

Because of my love for theater, I spend a lot of time on Pinterest.com pinning anything that pertains to theater–plays, musicals, set design, costume design, stage properties do it yourself creations, stage makeup, videos, lighting plots, show posters, etc.

I have A LOT of boards…………….:)

I see theater teachers in Facebook groups looking for play titles to read with their students, especially middle school. If you are looking for a good one to study, try Tim Kelly’s dramatization of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Here is a study guide and set design unit for it: Study Guide and Set Design Units Tom Sawyer

Sorry, I digressed.

Strengthening Literacy through Play Reading

Back to literacy.

I looked for research concerning the reasons our students should read a play script and of course, ran on to balanced literacy.

“When students have a voice in the reading process, they’re learning to contribute to their own knowledge. Because they can select the books (in my case, plays) they wish to read, they have greater control over what they want to learn. Students are much more likely to view reading as a priority when they have some ownership in the reading process.

However, this doesn’t mean students can make their independent reading choices willy-nilly. There does have to be some structure involved. First of all, the independent reading selection must be at their reading level. No “easy” books during independent reading. “At their reading level” means students should be able to read their selections with 95%-100% accuracy.”

I agree with everything mentioned above.

Reading a play can be an amazing, satisfying experience. Once my students become accustom to reading a script aloud (which takes about one class period), they are invested.

Here are some of the reasons for our students to read a play:

The dialogue is terrific. You can’t help but be engaged. The playwright hones his script to be the most compelling experience he can create. He certainly doesn’t want an audience member leaving the production. When an audience members leaves, it’s not the same as turning off the television–EVERYONE sees the bored person leave. Yikes! Also, if you are teaching students how to write dialogue, reading a script will help them immensely.
There is no narration or superfluous information. There might be someone who narrates, but again, the narration is short, concise and entices the audience.
For many moments in the plot, stage directions are included. If the play reader becomes lost, it is easy to find one’s place in the script merely by reading the directions. The stage directions help a reader to visualize the action. They were either added to the script by the playwright or placed there in honor of the first company who produced it.
Characters are well developed. A well crafted play can be read without looking at each character’s printed name within the play. A reader should be able to read down the middle of the script and know who is speaking and why.
Each scene and act follows the traditional plot structure–a beginning (the conflict is unveiled), rising action and some sort of resolution. Generally, an act is ended like a cliff hanger in a movie or book. Or, it makes a thought provoking statement which enhances the theme and encourages the audience member to return after intermission.
Generally, the plot concerns a short amount of time in the main character’s life. If the script becomes too epic, the audience is lost and again they’ll quit listening.
Everything that is published in the script is vitally important to its success on the stage. That means anything mentioned or used has been carefully chosen.
I can’t think of a script I haven’t enjoyed reading. Sure, I’d rather see the script in a live production but reading the script works for me almost as well.

Strengthening Literacy through Play Reading

So how do you find the scripts your students will enjoy? I surveyed a group of drama teachers from all over the world and they helped me come up with a list of plays they think students should read.

For High School

Harvey
Arsenic and Old Lace
Still Life With Iris
To Kill a Mockingbird
Oslo
Inherit the Wind
Diary of Anne Frank
The Giver
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds
Anne of Green Gables
Fences
Vanities
Yellow Boat
The Giver
Dark Road
Children’s Hour
Our Town
The Crucible
Raisin in the Sun
Antigone
The Doll’s House
Glass Menagerie
Dancing at Lughnasa
Death of a Salesman
Doubt
Proof
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The Heidi Chronicles
Last Night at Ballyhoo
The Miracle Worker

Strengthening Literacy through Play Reading

Most of these scripts can be purchased through one of the various script publishers. If you don’t know where to start, try searching the nae of the script, such as “The Giver, the play version.”

If that gets you nowhere, you can try findaplay.com This site used to be my favorite, but I’ve noticed not every script is listed there anymore.

Your students may find on-line versions to read, especially of the classics (our Town, The Crucible, Raisin in the Sun, The Doll’s House, etc.) or check out your school or public library.

Sometimes you’ll find them in anthologies, especially if they were Tony Award Winners. I believe this list includes only Tony Award winners.

I have a unit (two actually) which can help you teach about play analysis. It is: Play Reading and Analysis (PDF)

and Play Reading and Analysis Google Classroom