Chabot College
Fall 2002
Course Outline for Speech 5
READERS' THEATER
Catalog Description:
5 - Readers' Theater
3 Units
Introduction to the various media and techniques used in readers' theater and the arrangement and
programming of literature. Performance and/or arrangement of programs for specific audiences—
children, young adults, and adults—by using live theater presentations, television, and/or radio. 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1. demonstrate an appreciation and understanding of literature by participating in the reading and
arranging of programs for performance;
2. demonstrate familiarity with the techniques used in presenting choral reading,
chamber reading and concert readings;
3. design and develop programs;
4. design and develop staging, lighting and music.
Course Content:
Lecture-discussion presentation topics:
1. Introduction to the history of reader's theater
2. Introduction to the various techniques used in reader's theater
3. Introduction to and practice with existing materials used in reader's theater
4. Introduction to the various literary materials available for constructing
original scripts
5. Introduction to the various theatrical effects available for use in reader's theater
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lecture/discussion
Workshop sessions
Arranged rehearsals
Recordings, films and tapes
Typical Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. Select a short story to cut and edit for group performance. Performance should require a
minimum of three actors and a maximum of five actors and should not exceed 15 minutes.
b. Cast, direct and block a scene from our class script. Scene should include at least three
actors. The performance itself should not exceed 7 minutes.
c. Develop a lighting and/or set design for our final class theater project.
Chabot College
Course Outline for Speech 5
Page 2
Fall 2002
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Graded oral performances
b. Graded written critiques
c. Class participation
d. Midterm project
e. Participation in the final spring production
Text(s) (Typical):
None
Special Student Materials:
1. Performance script
2. Page protectors for performance script
3. Video/audio tapes
dk 11/7/01
D:\CURRIC\FALL01\SPEECH5.DOC