Reader's theatre

Reader's theatre is a style of theatre in which the actors do not need to memorize their lines. Rather, they either go through their blocking holding scripts and reading off their lines, or else sit/stand together on a stage and read through the script together.

In Reader's theatre, actors use much expression in voice to help the audience understand what is taking place. Also, facial expressions are more important since, by definition, reader's theatre has no blocking from the waist down.

In reading their lines to each other, actors look over the heads of their audience into an imaginary mirror at the far end of their theater, and not directly at their respective actors. The audience then perceives the dialog as normal as the production progresses.

Additionally, emoting on a dramatic scale enhances the performance and makes the production "more realistic".

Most importantly, plays have built-in strategies to help students improve their reading skills. The acting out of dialogue causes readers to work more closely with the text to project and interpret meaning into the reading experience. Consequently, students gain improvement in vocabulary, comprehension and retention.
Furthermore, reading in a small group provides reading role models which is also proven to improve reading skills in students.

Research has shown that Reader's Theatre can improve reading fluency, vocabulary and comprehension:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/instructor/readerstheater.htm
http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/read/rb/edlite-slide019.html
http://www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/publications/PFRbooklet.pdf (pages 24-29)

FREE Reader's Theatre scripts and resources can be found online:
http://www.playbooks.com/free
http://www.aaronshep.com
http://www.storycart.com/scripts_free.php
http://www.scriptsforschools.com
http://trickledownolympus.blogspot.com