Comprehensive instructions for selecting, staging, directing, and evaluating a program of readers theatre is provided for teachers of the elementary school grades. A step-by-step guide using a wide variety of detailed examples is presented in the first section of the booklet. Various chapters in this section discuss (1) readers theatre's unique contribution to the language arts curriculum; (2) material selection, including what to look for in terms of story, plot, character, and dialogue and where to find it in picture storybooks, fairy tales, fables, realistic stories, and plays; (3) guidelines for compiling and adapting material; (4) classroom activities designed to activate interest in readers theatre and to develop an understanding of adapting and staging literary material; and (5) procedures and forms for evaluating student progress. The second section presents a detailed description of a model readers theatre program that was used by a fifth grade class in Woodmere, New York, and two model scripts. An annotated bibliography and photographs are also included. (JL)