I have a group that meets once a week during an extended lunch to simply read plays. Anyone in the Junior or Senior class is invited to attend. We take no notes; we take no quizzes; there is not a test in sight. We are going to write no paper. We will not cut-and-past a single thing from Wikipedia. There is nothing to prove. Why does reading always have to be connected to work, documentation and evaluation. Why can’t it just be reading for the love of reading? No wonder picking up a book is the last thing so many people would choose.
We gather only because we are addicted to this thing called story – and especially to the stories in plays. Sometimes I am convinced we need LESS analysis and breaking of things up – – and more time just letting the words of a story roll through us. There are times I feel that quantity MIGHT have an advantage over quality.
And – let’s read out loud. It is perhaps a bit elementary school to have things read out loud – but it can be ever as much as enjoyable as it was back in elementary school. Let’s sit on the floor; let’s snuggle up together; let’s dim the lights; let’s read and read. It WAS fun – it can certainly be fun again.