Who/Where/When

If you read with friends in your living room, scheduling is a simple matter of finding a convenient time.  The following guidelines pertain to special circumstances.

Readers

Any two people can read together, each taking multiple roles as needed, but it’s better in a group, from a foursome up to ten. More than a dozen is too many, even for Shakespeare, and suggests splitting into two (or more) simultaneous reads at separate tables (or separate rooms), followed by a general talk-back.

Who these readers are depends upon the host (or committee), who schedules the events and invites whom they please. Most likely you’ll begin with people you know. Invite them as you would to a party, via face-to-face or phone (or text), snail or e-mail, social media.

If your friends don’t read, reach out to strangers. Pick a play, a time, and place, and publicize. See the post on Invitations for guidelines and examples.

Or check out any of the many institutions that offer community activities and suggest a demonstration workshop, to introduce cold reading and recruit readers for a potential pool. Volunteer to moderate a short-term seminar (three related plays, 6-8 weeks) at a senior center—or a full semester at your local community college. Organize a study group at church to  explore religious plays. You don’t need to be an expert, just get the ball rolling, make sure everybody reads, encourage conversation, and moderate (keep the read on track).

Create a group on social media and use it to post scheduled events, share it on related sites to recruit readers. A private group lets you pick and choose; a public group is open to all users, and may grow into a populous pool of potential readers (most of whom will never  read), any one of whom can host a read, announce it to the group at large and/or invite selected friends. The broader the scope, the more likely readers will be strangers, from all walks of life, whose only common interest is cold-reading plays.

Readers come for different reasons; all have unique personalities. Some simply like the sound of their own voices; others care more about the plot; still others get more from discussing than from reading. Some come to expand their knowledge; others are just lonely. All are welcome.

Some read every month (or week) with others who do the same, as a cohesive “Just Us” group. Others may join an open group and show up once in a blue moon, for plays that interest them. Group dynamics will determine how these elements balance out, so long as everyone’s included, no one misbehaves, and conflicts are resolved without bloodshed. Otherwise, the Host (or Moderator) leads the agenda.

Venues

For private reads, if not in living rooms, consider a library, school or church classroom, office, conference room, community center, dressing room—any place with comfy chairs, adequate light, a power source, and no distractions.

On the other hand, a public read might attract the notice of passers-by (an accidental audience), who might be encouraged to join in—as they might any public conversation (which is what plays are); maybe they’ll join up. Options range from coffee shops and pubs (in off hours) to book stores and art galleries—any place that’s comfy and relatively quiet (no loud music).

Many (most) venues charge for private space. Those that don’t must still be scheduled in advance. Public space is free by definition, although it’s best to consult with the management regarding days and times the group would be most welcome.

Some groups bounce around from place to place; others find a permanent home, ideally partnered with and featured in the program of a compatible establishment (library, theatre, book store).

Lastly, and most recently, we have video chat rooms, face-to-digital-face with people from around the world. This venue is addressed in Cold Reads/Online.

Date and Time

What days and times available at your chosen venue best suit you and your readers? (Or, conversely, what venues are available when your readers can attend?)

Readers who work nine-to-five can only come nights and weekends; seniors don’t like to drive at night; many have regular commitments elsewhere. Survey the group for availability and preferences.

A typical full-length read takes a full morning, afternoon, or evening: time to gather and greet; a couple of hours (or more) to read (and discuss)—three hours total.  Some plays, however (most of Shakespeare, for example) take three hours or more to read, and some plays generate lengthy discussions. In such cases, consider scheduling two or more sessions—or read/discuss till time runs out and finish on your own.

At the other extreme, a Ten-Minute Play can be fully explored over a cup of coffee.

Specify a time to start, and stick to it. Readers may come early (or stay after) to catch up and socialize.

The Occasion

In its simplest form, a cold read is a few people getting together to discover a play.  Other forms depend on the occasion. Throw a dinner party, for example (dine at intermission). Read a one-act over lunch.

How about a Shakespeare’s Birthday marathon of famous scenes at a local pub, where anyone can read a role? Or a musical comedy sing-a-long.

Regular readers may pre-read plays they plan to see (for the hard of hearing). Some groups invite guest scholars and artists to moderate and enlighten the read.

Picture a Cold Reads Weekend Retreat in the mountains (at the beach) to read a trilogy and relax—or (in time, perhaps) a Cold Reads Convention in Chicago with dozens of reads taking place at all hours.

There are as many types of occasion as there are creative minds to think them up. Several are suggested in Occasions and related posts.

Continue to Play by the Rules.