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Open Readings are FREE events held by the San Diego Shakespeare Society. They are informal readings of the plays (and sometimes sonnets or monologues) with the audience participating in the scenes.
We currently have two Open Readings a month (click on the links below for more info):
1st Tuesday of every month: Upstart Crow Bookstore, Seaport Village
2nd Tuesday of every month: Encinitas Library
FAQs
Q: Do I have to act?
A: No, absolutely not. You are welcome to show up and just watch. I do suspect, however, that it will look like too much fun for you to resist for long.
Q: Do I have to bring a book?
A: It is recommended that you bring your own copy of the text to be read that night. There are usually only a few extras to go around. You are welcome, of course, to watch without reading along.
Q: Can I act as a specific character or be in a particular scene?
A: That may be possible. Each evening has an assigned director who has planned what scenes to cover. If you are really anxious to act in a specific scene, talk to the director at the start and see what can be arranged. No guarantees, but if the scene is being done that night, it might be possible. All scenes are cast that night right before they are read, so usually everyone who wants to act has the chance to do at least a small role.
Q: Who can participate?
A: Everyone! If you want to read Shakespeare, you can come to an Open Reading. They are free and open to the public.
Q: I want to set up an Open Reading in my area. / Why isn’t there an Open Reading near me?
A: Open Readings are arranged by our volunteers. If you want one to be closer to you, we need: a location willing to have people once a month (on a date we are not already holding an Open Reading), a dependable organizer who is willing to find directors (or be the director every month), and publicity (we help with that!–but you have to provide the other two). Contact us if you can be the organizer for a new location of Open Readings for a year.
