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ART (Authors Readers Theatre) is a group of authors who have formed a traveling troupe, performing reader’s theatre across the country. We’ve been performing together for four years at conventions and conferences of teachers and librarians. We arrive the day before the conference, rehearse all day, and then perform our program the following day for conference attendees.
What is Readers Theatre?
Readers Theatre takes many forms, but we follow the tradition of readers/actors (us) standing on stage, reading from prepared scripts. There are no costumes or props, merely our voices to transport the audience ‘into’ the text.
We’ve revamped our own writing (selections from our novels or picture books) into theatrical scenes; we rehearse at length; we perform with scripts in hand. Each scene runs about ten minutes, and two scenes from each author are included. All four authors appear in every scene.
Who are the authors involved in ART?
ART was founded in 2006 by Avi, Sharon Creech, Walter Dean Myers and Sarah Weeks. The troupe has since expanded to include many wonderful authors, all of whom have participated in at least one ART performance. The current core group includes Avi, Sarah Weeks, Richard Peck, Brian Selznick, Bruce Coville and Cynthia DeFelice.The pieces used in our programs change, depending on which authors are participating in the event.
If you’d like to see us in action and learn more about readers theatre in general, visit http://teachingbooks.net/readerstheater
How long is the program?
The program runs approximately 90 minutes, including a question-and-answer session We are happy to autograph books after the program. Copies of our books will be available for sale and autographing at each event.
Who is your intended audience?
Our target audience is teachers and librarians in conference-type settings. At this time we are not offering ART for audiences that are solely children. We require an audience of 500, minimum.
How can your group be booked and what is the cost?
We begin scheduling ART events about a year in advance. Please contact
 Avi at awortis@qwestoffice.net or Sarah Weeks at authorweeks@aol.com. The cost is $4,000 ($1,000 per author) plus travel, hotel and meal expenses for all four authors. In addition, there is a $750 fee for our manager, Amy Roberts. For an additional fee, authors can do individual breakout sessions in addition to the ART event.
ART requirements:
Minimum audience of 500. Keynote slots are ideal.
Theatre venue. If a ballroom setting is all that's available, theatre arrangement of chairs (no meal-function seating please!) and a raised stage.
4 black metal music stands.
4 wireless lapel mics and a professional sound/lighting person on site to set up and monitor during the performance.
Sales of books at events.
Travel and accommodations (i.e. flights, airport car service, hotel and meals)