Born Storytellers: Readers Theatre Celebrates the Lives and Literature of Classic Authors

(Paperback)

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Description

Students in grades 6-12 assume the roles of authors of classic literature and characters from their books, as well as of storytellers who react to the subject matter and clarify the times. Excerpted and paraphrased passages from the books provide the flavor of the featured works. In contrast to Classic Readers Theatre for Young Adults (Barchers and Kroll), this collection focuses on the lives of the authors. Students in grades 6-12 assume the roles of authors of classic literature, characters from the books, and storytellers. Through the dialogue, the audience will have a glimpse into the life of the author and reactions and thoughts of the characters. The storytellers assume a contemporary voice to react and clarify the times, while passages from the books are paraphrased or woven into the play to provide a flavor of the literature class. In contrast to Classic Readers Theatre for Young Adults (Barchers and Kroll), this focuses on the lives of the authors.

Reviews

Here are ready-to-use scripts for teems who are studying Shakespeare, Defoe, Dickens, Stevenson, Poe, Kipling, Alcott, Shelley, Stowe, and Verne. Index this book in the catalog to ensure that it is instantly available. * Teacher Librarian *
The information in the scripts is compelling, including details about the authors' lives, the times they wrote in, and samples of their work.[p]resents a solid overview of each author's life and work. Turning classic literature into an informative performance is a solid concept, and this book provides one possible tool for putting that concept into action. * VOYA *

Author Bio

Ann N. Black is a former Assistant Professor of English and Creative Writing at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. A native of Iowa, Black graduated from Northwestern University, where she received a B.S. from the School of Communication, then worked as an actress and a writer and producer of children's radio dramas. After marrying a theatre professor, she, too, switched to the academic life, still specializing in drama and often serving as a Critic Judge for the Interscholastic League One-Act Play Contests in Texas. Her experiences from directing, teaching, and writing led her to a M.A. in English and Oral Interpretation from the University of North Texas, then to her teaching position at Northwestern State University of Louisiana.