Let’s be honest. Reading works of theater (instead of watching it) wouldn’t be nearly as popular or prevalent (especially in schools) if it wasn’t for one guy—Shakespeare. That’s right. The bard never published any best-selling novels. Shakespeare wrote some poetry, but he’s most well-known for his theatrical scripts.

Reading theatrical works or television scripts is different from most other written works. Because other than some random stage directions, almost all content is dialogue. The rest of the narrative has to be expressed by the actors—through tone of voice, facial expressions, and movement.

When you’re reading a script or screenplay, you’ve got to interpret those things for yourself. It’s called ‘reading between the lines.’ (Although, don’t try to do that literally because all that’s between the lines is blank spaces.)

Because so much of theatrical reading is dialogue, it’s often best done in groups. Preferably with one person reading for each character. While using funny voices and dramatic interpretations. That way, you get a better sense of what’s going on in the play. Plus, it adds a community level to the reading—it becomes a public rather than private experience.

Theater Terminology

While thinking about theatrical readings, here are some terms you might want to learn.

• **Cold reading:** This does not mean reading while freezing. It refers to the process of actors reading aloud from a script or screenplay without any prior rehearsal or preparation. Also known as a ‘sight reading.’
• **Stage reading:** When actors rehearse a play or show without sets or costumes. They act out the scenes but can read their lines directly from a printed script.
• Reader’s theater: a style of stage play where actors do not have to memorize their lines. They bring copies of the script with them during the performance. Also known as Chamber Theatre or Interpretive Theatre.