The seven exercises presented in this paper provide the initial foundation needed for exploration and experimentation through reader's theatre, the visual and oral dramatization of a literary work. Each of the exercises presented in the paper serves as a working blueprint to stimulate student awareness of the principles of staging reader's theatre, to provide the basic ingredients of vocal and physical performance of literature, to develop believable characterization, and to stimulate student appreciation of the mechanics involved in bringing a scripted program of literature to life in a classroom performance. The exercises offered include (1) presenting the basic principles of "voicing" (vocal variety, volume, and projection); (2) developing an awareness of offstage focus by using mirrors; (3) introducing pantomime as a way of visualizing words; (4) encouraging students to "physicalize" the literature by practicing simple body movements and body language; (5) communicating mood or attitude with facial expressions; (6) using the vocal variables of pitch, rate, and volume to suggest characterization; and (7) creating a "metaphor" of a person or character after a detailed observation and analysis of personal habits, mannerisms, gestures, movements, and vocal qualities. (RL)