I have done several readers' theatre pieces - and they can be visually exciting.

My favorite technique is to use the audience as EVERY character in the play being addressed. If somebody offers a glass of wine to a character - offer it to the audience, as if that were the other character. It works well.

I often block certain portions of the play between a minimal number of characters. For these sections, the play is memorized, though the actors carry their scripts.

Make use of your lighting system!  Lighting shifts at dramatic or important moments can enhance your reading.  Long sequences between two characters can be done standing (or sitting) in a single spot light. The goal is to break up the monotony of looking at a line of people reading from a book.

I believe the very term 'staged' reading implies that it is more than just sitting on a stool and reading from a black bound copy of the script! And it IS meant to be 'theatrical' and engrossing. There is no reason for a staged reading to be simply a treatment one has to live through to get to the end!

You might take a peek here at some photos of a staged reading I directed. It will give you an idea of the kind of thing I mean. Naturally, LOL, most of the photos are of movement, since 465 photos of three people lined up reading would be pretty boring LOL. Approximately 1/4 of the piece was fully staged...including a section that required a short tap dance, which was very very funny - but would have been a nothing moment if simply read as stage directions. You'll also notice sometimes they share the script, if it brings them a little closer together for moments that are more effective that way.


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remember: there are no rules for staged readings! it's all up to you and how much time and effort you want to put into it. you're only limited by where  you want to be limited! have fun!