Theater House Parties

There is a hidden, underground movement afoot in America. No, it is not associated with covens, cults, or cloistered communities. But it does probably have something to do with our need to get out of our computer cubicles and connect with each other around the hearth fire. Live theater, both amateur and professional, is knocking on our doors and finding the Welcome Sign operational.

Looking for something fun and different for your next house party or family get together? Bring theater into your living room, back yard, or patio. It’s a do-it-yourself or provide-the-readers activity which will bring everyone in your gathering into an exciting experience.

Living Room Theater Happening Now

Story-telling house parties are the growing party experience in my neighborhood in eastern Virginia. Local story tellers are finding a wealth of performance opportunities at homes throughout the state. Lynn Reuhlmann has been honing her craft for years. (Story from Lynn)

Home productions have been the rage in California for years. Jan Quackenbush’s Cold Day in Hell, a one-man, one-hour show, ran consecutively for 32 weeks at the home of _______________ for audiences of __________________. 

The Independent Eye, an acting husband and wife duo based in California, have made their living for years by bringing Shakespeare adaptations augmented by puppetry to homes and small venues throughout the country.

Just this December, ___________ ordered The Concise Christmas Carol from Blue Moon Plays with the note that he wanted to read it for his family for Christmas. (Quote about how it went?)

Getting Involved—How You Can Do It

For small family gatherings, find a play that members of your family can read. No artistic talent necessary. (Give suggestions for holidays.)

Why Choose a Play Rather than a Novel or Short Story

Plays already have the characters and their dialogue clearly marked. Plays formatted for Readers Theater have a minimum of stage directions which can be designated to one of your “cast” members.

Finding Appropriate Plays

Look for a play that has the requisite number of characters or appropriate theme for your gathering.  (Give examples) Blue Moon Plays has a designated page for plays formatted specifically for Readers Theater in the home or classroom to make reading easier which are royalty free for reading aloud on the living room, garden, or classroom. You need only to purchase the number of scripts required by the play. (Is this feasible, Mags?)