Taking the Stage at Tully Elementary
Readers’ Theatre Comes to Life
On Wednesday, December 17, the third graders at Tully Elementary took a big step — from practice to performance. After weeks of reading, rehearsing, and learning how to use their voices and bodies to tell a story, students shared their work in a Readers’ Theatre presentation for a live audience.
The performance marked the culmination of a collaborative effort between students, teachers, and Altrusa volunteers, focused on building confidence, literacy, and a love of storytelling.
From Practice to Performance
In the weeks leading up to the performance, students worked through scripts, practiced expressive reading, and learned how to support one another as a cast. Readers’ Theatre gave them a chance to focus on clarity, pacing, and emotion rather than memorization, allowing every student to participate fully.
Along the way, they explored familiar stories and characters, experimented with melodrama, and learned how narrators and actors work together to move a story forward. What began as careful line-by-line reading gradually became confident storytelling.
Performance Day
The audience for the December 17 performance included a first-grade class, fellow third graders, members of the Tully staff, and about 15 family members who came to support the performers. The third-grade students presented scenes from Jack and the Beanstalk and readings from Elephant and Piggie, showcasing both classic storytelling and playful, character-driven humor.
With scripts in hand, students projected their voices, stayed in character, and worked together to keep the story flowing. Narrators guided the audience through the action while actors brought giants, animals, and familiar characters to life.
A Moment of Pride
For many students, this was their first time performing in front of an audience. The experience offered more than just reading practice — it gave them a chance to feel proud of their progress and comfortable being seen and heard.
Applause from classmates, staff, and family members reinforced the effort that went into preparing for the performance and highlighted how far the students had come since the first rehearsal.
Literacy Grows Through Experience
The Readers’ Theatre performance at Tully was a reminder that literacy grows through experience. By combining reading, acting, and collaboration, students didn’t just practice skills — they shared a story, supported one another, and discovered the confidence that comes from standing up and using their voices.
Altrusa is proud to support programs like this that turn reading into something active, engaging, and fun for students.