Read-Aloud Plays

Horace HolleyProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.5

Word count: 118K words
Chapters: 12

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Read-Aloud Plays by Horace HolleyAuthor: Holley, Horace, 1887-1960,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Jun 4, 2005

Editor's review

This is a collection of short plays written for reading aloud. The author, Horace Holley, prioritizes the rhythm of dialogue and the division of roles; sentences are short and scenes clear, making the plays well suited for multiple people to perform aloud in character. Its strength lies in practicality: it does not aim for complex stage direction but makes voice the primary means of expression, so readers can use it directly in living rooms, classrooms, or small reading groups. The texts are short and the language lively, serving both as English oral reading practice material and as an introduction to the popular appeal of early American short drama. For readers who want to organize group read-aloud activities, train oral expression, or learn about early twentieth-century English-language dramatic sketches, this collection offers an accessible entry point; those expecting profound social critique or full-length plots should adjust their expectations.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Teachers and organizers arranging role-reading in classrooms or reading groups
Learners wanting to practice English speaking and reading rhythm
Readers interested in early twentieth-century American short plays
Amateur performance groups needing lightweight script material

Not a good fit for

Drama readers seeking complex plots and deep themes
Professional theater companies wanting complete stage direction
Readers who prefer novel-length narrative

Reading tips

Read through the whole piece first, mark role and scene changes, then assign reading parts.
Pay attention to pauses and tone shifts while reading; record yourself and listen back to improve rhythm.
Rehearse only one or two short plays per session, leaving time to discuss character motivation.
Compare how different plays open, observing how the author quickly establishes the situation.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Are these short plays suitable for classroom teaching?

Yes. They are short, with clear roles and straightforward dialogue, making them convenient for in-class role reading and immediate discussion. Teachers can arrange oral practice based on them but should supplement background notes and vocabulary explanations.

Do I need a stage and props to use them?

No. The title emphasizes reading aloud; the core is vocal presentation and role division, and a table with a few chairs suffices. Adding simple gestures or sound effects is only auxiliary and does not affect the text's usability.

How difficult is the English?

The language is generally lively with short sentences, typical of readable popular drama. Beginners may encounter occasional period expressions, which a dictionary can resolve; there is no need to give up on role reading out of concern about difficulty.

Comments

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About the author

Horace Holley Author · American · 1887–1960

Horace Holley (1887–1960) was an American Bahá'í leader and writer. He long directed Bahá'í affairs in North America, bearing important responsibilities for the organization and promotion of the faith, and was known for this work. Beyond his religious service, Holley also wrote; his representative work is Read-Aloud Plays. Public information on the details of his life is limited. From the available facts, his writing was closely connected with dramatic reading, public education, and the cultural outreach of religious communities, and his style tends toward accessibility, suited to group reading and sharing. One of his works is held in the collection. Overall, he was both an organizer of the North American Bahá'í community and a writer for general readers, and his work reflects efforts to bring religious ideas to a broad audience through literature and reading aloud.