This handbook defines Readers Theatre, explores the selection and adaptation of material, and discusses casting, rehearsing, and performing of literature. It is divided into three major parts. Part One, "Origins, Concepts, and Precepts," emphasizes current trends in Readers Theatre and considers problems stemming from the introduction of multimedia into readers theatre; Part Two, "This Is the Way It Was Done," presents a series of summary-descriptions, including diagrams and photographs of how productions have been staged; and Part Three, "Sample Scripts for Readers Theatre," contains literary-dramatic materials and includes several scripts useful in demonstrating techniques of adapting material. Some production notes are included, to show that there are no fixed rules to follow. For those wishing to pursue the study of Readers Theatre further, a 67-item selected annotated bibliography is appended. (RB)