An Introduction to Dramatic Readings and Plays for New Readers

By catrose Plays are great fun to do, here at LibriVox -- it's a wonderful way of involving the wide range of voices our global membership can boast. However, the way they work is slightly different to other readings at Librivox. Dramatic projects on Librivox come in two main forms: plays and dramatic readings.

Differences between Dramatic Projects and Other Projects

The main difference between dramatic projects and, say, group projects is that in a dramatic project, you claim a character instead of a chapter and YOU ONLY READ THE LINES OF THAT CHARACTER. You need a different file per Act (or sometimes Chapter)and you don't need to read the disclaimer. Also, most parts in Dramatic Projects are smaller than chapters, but the projects generally take longer.

As I mentioned above, there are two types of Dramatic Project:

Plays

Well, plays are plays! They are linked to a script as the source and you read off the script listed under Source on the first post (same as a book) unless it states otherwise. Instead of claiming a chapter (or Act), you only claim a character. And you only record lines for that one character. You don't need to read the stage directions or what's in the brackets, you just read what an actor would perform if he was given the play to perform. It really is that straight forward. You start by saying [Character Name] read by [your name] and example of this would be Silvius read by Charlotte Duckett. You don't read the disclaimer. Then you record your lines. Generally you need to leave 2-5 seconds silence between each line. This makes it easier for when the BC is editing the final scene together.

Dramatic Readings

A Dramatic Reading is like a solo project, except different people read for each character. Most scripts for these are Google Documents (though some people do use PDFs.)You read these Google Documents (found in the MW) instead of the text source (usually Gutenberg) Other than that, it is almost exactly the same as a play. You only read what your character says. In ones that are color coded, these lines are the ones that are your characters colors (it says so on the top of the Google document) or, in the case of Circe, in the MW. Easy.

How do you tell?

Well, this question is fairly easy to answer. It's in the title! In the Dramatic Works Forum, if it says Dramatic Reading, Dram. Reading, Dram. Read. etc. it's a Dramatic Reading, if it doesn't it's almost certainly a play!

Cat's Top Tip

The best friend of every Dramatist at LV is the F3 key. It allows you to search for a specific word or phrase in a piece of text. If you're looking at a script, press it and type in your characters name to find lines more easily!

Step By Step - Your first role in a Play

Here is my step to step guide to claiming a part, finding the text, recording and uploading your first part in a play:

1. Click on a play

- It may sound simple- it is! Before you click on it, make sure it's Open (there are parts left to claim). This is said in the Title, for example [OPEN] The Skin Game by John Gallsworthy- tg (as apposed to [FULL] DOCTOR FAUSTUS by Christopher Marlowe - ek)

2. Please read the first post Carefully

- If you are interested, the first post will tell you more. Like on any other project, it has notes about the tech settings and it tells you a bit about the play.

3. Still interested?

- Well then, take a look at the characters. Look at the script. Any stand out? You claim them in the same way as you claim a chapter. It is generally appreciated if you include the section number in you claim (eg. "Can I please claim 03- Jill?" or "Can I please read Jill (03)?" ) Nothing stand out? Why don't you ask "Can you suggest any role for me?" ? All Drama BCs are incredibly nice helpful(not at all Diva-ish!)people and know the play inside out, so most of the time, they'll be happy to suggest a part that would suit your voice! Please don't do this for very large Dram. Projects like Circe, because there are over 150 parts, and most are small, so you should be able to choose.

5. The BC Responds

- After you've claimed a part, the BC puts your name down for that part, just like in a group recording. Then it's up to you to record your lines. Remember to look at the MW notes to see what Acts your character appears in.

6. Recording Your lines

- You only need to read the lines that YOUR CHARACTER SAYS. Leave about 2-5 seconds between each line, which makes it easier for the BC (or Editer) to edit together the finished acts. You also need to say [character] recorded (or read) by [Your Name] for example Silvius read by Charlotte Duckett, or Frances recorded by Charlotte Duckett. Normally files need to be saved as MP3, but occasionally a BC will want FLAC instead. Always check the first post for more details.

7. Uploading

- Well, you're almost done! You need to save your file under the file name in the first post (example. asyoulikeit_silvius_4 ) and you upload it to the MC's folder (again, on the first post).

8. Posting

- You need to copy the link you're given as you upload, and post the link as a reply in the project thread, as in a group project. After this, it'll be put in the MW and PL'd.

9. PL Notes

- If you get PL notes that you don't understand, just PM the BC or DPL and ask them about it.

10. PL OK

- Well, you've got a PL OK! You need to get all of the acts uploaded separately and once they're all there and PL OK, congratulations. You've just read your first part in a Dramatic project. Now you just need to sit back and listen to the applause!

How To Find The Google Document Text

In Dramatic Readings and some Plays, you are asked to read from the Google Documents in the MW instead of reading directly from the source. This makes it easier to see character lines. Here is my Guide to Finding the Google Documents.

1. IGNORE THE PROJECT GUTENBERG TEXT.

- This will show you the book, but for Dramatic readings, the BC would have either colour coded all of the parts or written the book out as a script, so it's easier for the reader to know what to read.

2. On the first post

-Please read this well. It explains a lot about the book

3. Scroll down on the MW,

-until you can see the bottom sections. They say the Chapter Names (Normally Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, etc.) These are normally grey and have the BC/Editor’s name next to it. This is not because they'll be reading all of the chapter, it's because they're in charge of editing and putting the finished chapter together.

4. In the notes section

-for all sections from the one marked Chapter 1 the last section, you will find a button/link that normally says "Link to Text" or something similar to that. Right-click on it and open it in a new tab. This is a Google Document with all of the characters in a different color. This is the text.

5. Go back to the MW.

-Now look at all of the sections above Chapter 1. These are the characters. You need to claim one that is available (blue) and ask to claim it.

6. The BC will agree

-(or suggest you try a different character that'll suit your voice more).

7. In the notes section of each character,

-it says what chapters they appear in. Example.In Wuthering Heights, I read Frances. She only appears in Chapters 6, 7 and 8.

8. You then scroll down the MW

-to the part with the text for your chapter. You need to click on the link for the Google Document of that chapter. Example. The first one I was in was Chapter 6, so I needed to find chapter 6, and click to find the documents.

9. Remember

-You only need to read the lines that are IN YOUR CHARACTER'S COLOR or that are YOUR CHARACTER'S Lines

10. You don't read the Disclaimer (Unless you're narrating)

-But you do need to say [Character name] recorded by [your name]. Example Frances recorded by Charlotte Duckett. This need to go at the beginning of your clip.

11. Saving and Uploading

-Then you save your finished character's lines, as directed by the first post. You need to upload them to the MC's folder and post the link and the time in the thread