The current coronavirus pandemic is keeping people at home, self-isolating with time on their hands. One way to stay social, have fun, and read more plays is to start a virtual play-reading book club. Here’s a few tips on how to get your own group together, and don’t forget to share your tips and find members using the hashtag #ReadPlays
Updated: June 15, 2020
Choose a Play
You may have a large library of plays at home. For best results, you’ll want to make sure everyone in your group has the same edition. Here are some ways to get copies of scripts:
- Subscribe to the New Play Exchange and consider reading new works
- Order from your local bookstore online or by phone and have it mailed directly to you.
- Check out your local library’s e-book offerings. Many digital lending services include drama/play categories.
- Subscribe to Drama Online and access thousands of contemporary and classic plays from major publishers.
- Purchase and ship directly from major play publishers like Dramatists, Samuel French, Nick Hern Books, TCG, Faber & Faber, and Grove Press.
- Purchase and download through popular e-readers like Kindle and NOOK.
Gather your Readers
Tap your existing social circle or find willing participants using the hashtag #ReadPlays on Twitter. Consider sharing what plays you’re interested in up-front, or be willing to read a play someone else is interested in in exchange for one you would like to read. If you only have one other person, that’s ok! Choose plays which are either two-handers or that would allow you to double-up on characters.
Set-Up a Google Hangout
Agree on a set date and time to meet – don’t forget time zone differences! If you’ve got a big group, you can use a free service like Doodle to help. Google Hangouts doesn’t require advance registration and is relatively straightforward to use. A few bits of advice:
- Find a quiet space with a reliable internet connection
- Make sure whoever is coordinating the reading has shared the URL for the Hangouts ‘room’ and ensure the privacy settings are set to allow anyone with the URL to be able to join.
- Update your computer in advance
- Test your microphone and webcam
- Use the restroom before your planned meeting
- Have a glass of water or tea with you to stay hydrated
The Reading
- Look through the play in advance and see how many readers you’ll need and if any characters can be doubled (or tripled)
- Introduce yourselves if you don’t know each other.
- Consider an icebreaker like sharing why you’re interested in this, or what your favorite play is, or your most memorable experience in theatre.
- The coordinator might have planned out who will read which role ahead of time. Make sure everyone understands what they’re responsible for reading and don’t forget to have someone read stage directions!
- If it is a longer play, consider taking a brief break during intermission.
- Out of courtesy to your fellow readers, try to stay focused during the reading. Don’t check your phone or email, or eat or chew gum.
- Allow time at the end to discuss the play.
- Consider scheduling a time to meet again to try another play.
Share Your Stories
How did it go? Share tips, tricks, and success stories on social media with the hashtag #ReadPlays
Copyright Concerns
- Just like any book club, everyone involved in the reading should be participating and should have secured their own copy of the script.
- Recording and distributing a recording of a book club reading may constitute a copyright violation. Please don’t do this without securing permission from the playwright or copyright holder.
- If you do want to have a live performance or public reading online, consider using plays in the public domain or secure permission in advance.
- Please respect the labor of the writer and publisher and don’t make copies or scans of copyright-protected plays for your group.