Readers Theater Regents' Center for Early Developmental Education Rheta DeVries, Ph.D, Director Music for Readers Theater Readers theater is a fun and effective way for children to dramatize a story or poem. In this type of theater, one or more people read the story while a cast of actors or puppeteers act it out.
Music is a natural accompaniment to any kind of theater.
Pick a story that you and the children like and brainstorm some ways that music could be used to help tell the story. Rhythm instruments from Africa, Asia, and South America are particularly dramatic and appealing to children. Planning the Music Call a separate meeting of the musicians to plan the music for the story. Have someone read the script and let the musicians improvise. Some children may wish to make notations on the script to help them remember what they did.