ISSUE #1-Summer (July, August, September) 2003

Editorial: Why Are We Doing This
A Brief Encounter with Aaron Shepard, professional story teller and writer of Readers Theatre playscripts
Readers Theatre; Teaching to Multiple Intelligences. Lucy Rioux shares some insights and opinions about Readers Theatre in the classroom.
Readers Theatre Activity in the Northwest. Irving Zimmer writes about the Island Players in the community of Mercer Island, WA.
Reviews: Books, web sites, plays.   If you can see it, read it, hear it or taste it and it is relevant to RT, you may see it reviewed here.
What is Readers Theatre? Here's our opinion.  What's yours?

ISSUE #2-Fall (October, November, December) 2003

Editorial: Our Goal, Editorial Balance:
Have Script, Will Travel: Gordon Bigalke introduces us to the Recyclables, a senior Readers Theatre group in Bay City, Michigan.
Teaching Students to Script Material for RT: Lucy Rioux continues her series on RT in the classroom.
Staged Readings for Grownups: An interview with Mary McDonald-Lewis of Readers Theatre Repertory company in Portland, Oregon.
A Matter of Opinion: From Hawaii, Vanita Smith logs on with her own unique perspective on "What is Readers Theatre?"

ISSUE #3-Winter (January, February, March) 2004

Editorial: A Promising Start; A Ways to Go.
Readers Theatre in Education: Lucy Rioux Continues her popular series on RT in the classroom.
Readers Theatre for grownups: Mary MacDonald-Lewis discusses play selection and production issues.
Touring Readers Theatre to Schools and Libraries: The Open Book Players bring RT to venues in rural Maine.
Organizing a Seniors Readers Theatre Program: Number two in a series on RT and the Recyclables by Gordon Bigalke.
Reprinted with permission from TeacherVision: The first of an every-so-often series of the best of the Internet related to RT.
From Grand Rapids to Hibbing: An interview with Roy Booth about one very active RT group in Minnesota.

ISSUE #4-Spring (April, May, June) 2004

The Politics of Readers Theatre: Can controversial political Readers Theatre be staged successfully? Mary McDonald-Lewis says it can, and cites an example.
Readers Theatre - Not Just For Academics: Lucy Rioux Continues her popular series on RT in the classroom.
Seattle Repertory Theatre’s Staged Reading Program: By Gemma Drouhard, Tacoma School of the Arts student and SRT intern.
Performances and How to Schedule Them: Gordon Bigalke continues his series on Senior's Reader's Theatre.
Book Review: Aaron Shepard does it again.
Editor's Notes: Coming in future issues - a look down the road.

ISSUE #5 - Summer (July, August, September) 2004

Readers Theatre is Not Exempt From Copyright Laws: A previously unpublished article by Mel White suggests that this subject needs more attention that it gets.
Editorial: Is Four Times A Year Enough?This Issue - Number 5 - begins our second year of publication. Three months is a long time between issues and a bit too long to establish a sense of continuity from one issue to another.
What Can the United States and Denmark Teach Each Other Abouit Literacy? That's what 14 students from Ball State and Silkeborg Seminarium, a teacher education institution in Silkeborg, Denmark, are discovering during their semester-long project "Readers Theatre: Creating Cross-cultural Connections."
Readers Theatre Puts an Edge on Dull Topics: Lucy Rioux demonstrates how RT saved the day early in her career as a teacher by communicating the definitions, dangers, and universal precautions associated with bloodborne pathogens.
Seattle Jewish Theatre Troupe Debuts with "Today, I am a Fountain Pen", by Israel Horowitz: Irving Zimmer shares some production details on the readers theatre staging of this delightful Jewish comedy.
It's A Wonderful World of Senior Theatre: In previous articles by Gordon P. Bigalke you read about organizing and selecting materials. Now you will want to promote the troupe to prospective members.

ISSUE #6 - Fall (October, November, December) 2004

The Spoken Word: It Is Different - An excercise in Oral Interpretation
by Professor Walter Ray Stump
Artful Dialogues: Readers Theatre is an excellent method for bringing dialogues to life; it allows a great deal of choice in levels of theatricality, preparation and rehearsal. by Steve Williams
In the Classroom: Readers Theatre and Poetry...
"The Intensity of Feeling" by Lucy Rioux
RT for Seasoned Citizens: Making Reader's Theatre Work by Gordon Bigalke
Reprint from the Pratt (Kansas) Tribune: A Not-so-common way to use RT
Book Review: Aaron Shepard does it again.
Notes from the Editor: Readers Theater is for grownups, too.

ISSUE #7 - WINTER (January, February, March) 2005

Radio and Readers Theatre: an interview with Mary McDonald-Lewis and Sam A. Mowry, co-directors of Ensemble of the Airwave¹s production of Sunday Night by the Philco, a series they stage every year for Mt. Hood Repertory Theatre in Gresham, Oregon.
Writing Your Own Scripts:   RT for Seasoned Citizens by Gordon Bigalke.
Readers Theatre and Civil Rights: Lucy Rioux continues her pupular series for the classroom.
Annual Report to Our Readers: Ye Ed takes a brief look into the future.

ISSUE #8 - SPRING (April, May, June) 2005

Bill Adams, Friend and Mentor - Lucy Rioux comments on the passing of this leader and innovator in the field of readers theatre, and recalls his influence on her development as a professional readers theatre practitioner.
Adams Obituary
I RISE: A Testimony of Commitment and Sacrifice for Civil Rights An analysis of a Readers Theater Documentary compiled, cdited and directed by Dr. Richard Emanuel.
Using Readers Theatre in a Kindergarten Classroom
by Kelly A. Kroon
Preparing Readers Theatre From a Standard Script by Irving Zimmer
Editorial - A comment, a plea and an invitation from Ye Ed.

ISSUE #9 - SUMMER (July, August, September) 2005

Readers Theatre in London - Walter Stump reports from the Readers Theatre Institute's London Workshop.
Spoon River - Masters' masterpiece offers a range of dramatic monologues to challenge the most skilled readers theatre actor. A brief how-to guide.
Readers Theatre and Student Improvement - Lucy Rioux believes that RT can also be used successfully to increase comprehension and retention of pertinent information in all subject areas.
Why We Need Readers Theatre in Your Community - A "raison d'être" by Gordon Bigalke
Books, Books, and more Books - A partial ungraded list of books related to Readers Theatre.
From the Editor - Changes they are a-coming
Bits N' Pieces - Useful information too short for a full-length article. This page will be updated as often as necessary between issues.

ISSUE #10 - FALL (October, November, December) 2005

RT for Seasoned Citizens - Taking the Plunge with RT - by Gordon Bigalke
The Montgomery Bus Boycott - A Readers Theater Production Compiled, Edited and Directed by Dr. Richard Emanuel
This script was inspired by the students at Alabama State University (ASU) in Montgomery, Alabama.
All About Medical Readers Theatre - by Todd L. Savitt
To help laypeople and medical professionals consider some of the issues that arise during illness, East Carolina University's Brody School of Medicine has developed a medical readers' theater program based on a number of carefully selected short stories about medicine.
RT and Special Occasions - by Lucy Rioux
Readers Theatre Holiday greetings.
Books, Books, and More Books - compiled by Staff    
Number Two of an every-so often listing of books related to readers theatre. We haven't reviewed them and there is no significance to the order in which they are listed.
Editor's Notes
With ten issues and some sixty articles behind us, we're getting to know ourselves better and we have a clearer sense of where we should be going. But we face a number of challenges.

ISSUE #11 - Winter (January, February, March) 2006

RT for Seasoned Citizens - By Gordon P. Bigalke
In November I received an urgent email from Professor Monica Bergers at the University of Iowa asking if I had used RT in the classroom and could I let her know how it had worked out.
READERS THEATRE: A Family Affair? - by Dean Roberts
Mr. Roberts relates a successful experiment with a most unlikely application of the RT form.
Once Upon A Time....With Readers Theatre - by Lucy Rioux
Fairy tales, myths and fables are universal and timeless, and each child has his or her favorite that they can recite and retell, adding all of the sound effects and interpolations in exactly the right places.
TOURING: How one RT Ensemble does it - By Bob Demers
The idea of touring our Readers Theatre Ensemble around the State of Maine came early on. We formed Open Book Players in the spring of 1996 as a specialized community theater.
EDITOR'S NOTES
About being late, more links, the Katrina RT project, rights and copyrights

ISSUE #12 - Spring (April, May, June) 2006

University of Kentucky Readers Theatre Program
The Donovan Story by Arleen Johnson, PhD, Donovan Scholars Program Director
In 1972, an endowment from one of the Donovan Scholars enabled the establishment of special free self-enrichment classes for students aged 60 and older.
Reprints From Hither and Yon compiled by staff
Is Readers Theatre Too Easy? Dean Roberts thinks so and makes a good case for his opinion.
The History of Readers Theatre, Part One by Walter Stump
The art of story telling is probably as old as the human race. Stories in the form of myths existed long before a methodology for transcribing them was formulated.
Editorial - All about the Readers Theatre Newsletter and why you should care.

ISSUE #13 - Summer (July, August, September) 2006

Of Parables, Church and RT - By Fr. Matthew Powell
St. Matthew's Gospel tells us that Jesus taught the crowds by way of parables. "Indeed he said nothing to them without a parable" (Mt 13:34) Fr. Powell discusses the power of Readers Theatre in faith centered environments.
The History of Readers Theatre - Part Two by Walter Stump
Dr. Stump describes several styles of Readers Theatre
Is Readers Theatre Too Easy? Dean Roberts continues last issue's article and examines a few ways to make Readers Theatre a bit harder and, in some cases, maybe a bit better.
What is "Senior" Reader's Theatre? by Gordon Bigalke
Just when you think that everyone understands "Reader's Theatre" the questions start coming all over again. Gordon Bigalke answers one of them
Reader's Theater: A Reason to Read Aloud - by Cara Bafile
The Reader's Theater strategy blends students' desire to perform with their need for oral reading practice. RT offers an entertaining and engaging means of improving fluency and enhancing comprehension.RT tips from the experts!
Book Reviews From Ye Eds bookshelf
The Toronto Chronicles - Notes from Readers Theatre Institute International Workshop in Toronto
Editorial

ISSUE #14 - Fall (October, November, December) 2006

RT for Seasoned Citizens - by Gordon Bigalke - RT Success Stories! A couple of programs that are using RT and how they are progressing.
An International Readers Theatre Conference in 2007?
Hm-m-m. Why not?
It All Started in an Acting Class at the Oak Park Village Players. Larry Baldacci was teaching an Advanced Scene Study class; the students were people who had worked with and known each other for years. Because of that, the class was an exceptionally rewarding experience.
What Can Readers Theatre Do For Me? Lucy Rioux poses the question to severalofher students in this rural New England school sytem.
Readers Theatre on Television - Amateurs produce plays for broadcast- By Sylvie Belmond - Ever wanted to work a television camera, sharpen your acting skills or write an original play and see it come to life? This group is for you.

ISSUE #15 - Winter (January, February, March) 2007

The Challenges of Scripting Material Written in the First Person Point of View - by Lucy Rioux - Scripting literature using the readers theatre format is more flexible and easier to accomplish when the chosen material is written in the third person point of view.
Video of a Readers Theatre performance: "Three Wishes" performed by the Open Book Players. An experiment.
Editor's Notes - Are you a professional? ... Readers Theatre Conference ... A book worth mentioning ... miscellaneous opines (more)

ISSUE #16 - Spring (April, May, June) 2007

Students Bring Novel to Life with Readers Theatre - Author and filmmaker e. E. Charlton-Trujillo is working with Finneytown High School students to develop a new concept in author book signings.
How to Use "Sound Effectors"in Readers Theatre - by Lucy Rioux Whenever I have used readers theatre scripts designed for a "young" audience, an essential key component to guarantee a successful performance (translated to mean holding their attention for any length of time) is to encourage "participation" during the presentation.
Historical Events in Readers Theatre - by Walter R. Stump
Historical events and individuals have long been subjects for Readers Theatre writers and directors. Biographies of influential people adapted for classroom presentation have been a staple of teachers trained in Readers Theatre methodology.
Editor's Notes - Readers Theatre FOR Television. Think About it.

ISSUE #17 - Summer- (Special) 2007

RTDigest goes on vacation Since Readers Theatre is essentially an audio and visual experience why not integrate A-V elements into our basic textual web site? Achieving this is easier said than done. So, this being a one-man shop and with no budget for hiring an expert to do the technical stuff, Ye Ed has bitten the bullet.

ISSUE #18 - Fall (October, November, December) 2007

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