1. Much Ado about Nothing
Readers’ Theater

2. This is a close reading activity.
You do not have to memorize your lines.
You are, however, required to use the appropriate voice and actions to convey the ideas and emotions of the scene.
Read closely and rehearse ahead of time, using intonation and gestures appropriate to your character and your character’s words.
You may also wish to use simple props, costumes, and/or background music.

3. Performance Guidelines
Use simple props, costumes, and background music as appropriate.
Rehearse your parts ensuring clear and fluent reading with appropriate voice. You should use appropriate actions, gestures, tone, and facial expressions.
Since Shakespeare doesn’t tell us how the characters should behave, or where they should move, how can we figure this out?

4. Performance Guidelines
Choose a narrator to introduce the scene and to close the scene (plus to explain transitions as necessary). The narrator should open the scene by setting it up for us: What events prompted this scene? They should also close the scene: What is Shakespeare’s purpose in this scene/these events? How will this scene/event influence the outcome of the play?

5. Opening: Set the stage for the viewers
Note: the person who plays the character with the fewest lines should also take on the responsibility to open and close the performance:
Opening: Set the stage for the viewers
Closure: Discuss the significance of this scene in the context of the play

6. See handout for the scenes/roles
# of roles
Act/Scene/Line
Roles
Summary of scene
Team 1:
5 roles
(p. 19 “Look, here she comes” to end of scene)
Benedick, Don Pedro, Beatrice, Claudio, and Leonato
B & B banter; Claudio is jealous; plan to play cupid
Team 2:
4 roles
(p. 26 after Exit Balthasar to p.29 before Benedick’s soliloquy)
Don Pedro, Claudio, Leonato, and Benedick
Benedick is tricked into thinking Beatrice loves him
Team 3:
(all of 3.1)
Hero, Margaret, Ursula, and Beatrice
Beatrice is tricked into thinking Benedick loves her
Team 4:
3 roles
(p. 36 enter Don John to end of scene)
Don John, Don Pedro, and Claudio
Claudio is duped into suspecting Hero’s virtue
Team 5:
(all of 3.5)
Leonato, Dogberry, Verges, and Messenger
Dogberry and Verges try to talk to Leonato
Team 6:
6 roles
(p. 47 to 50 “That may be wished for…”)
Leonato, Friar, Claudio, Hero, Benedick, and Don John
Claudio rejects Hero at the church
Team 7:
5.2.(all of 5.2)
Margaret, Benedick, Beatrice and Ursula
Benedick and Beatrice mock fight
Team 8:
9 roles
(p. 73 “Good morrow” to end of scene)
Don Pedro, Leonato, Claudio, Antonio, Friar, Hero, Benedick, Beatrice, and Messenger
The end of the play!
See handout for the scenes/roles