Bringing books to life through performance, creativity, and connection.

Act Me a Story is an engaging video series that celebrates children’s literature through theatrical performance. By combining the magic of storytelling with the joy of theater, we make books more accessible, exciting, and memorable for young children—especially those just learning to read.

Created in partnership with professional actors from the PlayZoomers ensemble, this series supports early literacy by helping children build comprehension, vocabulary, and a love for books in a fun and creative way.

What We Do

Act Me a Story features short, high-quality videos of actors performing children’s books in lively, expressive ways. Each performance is designed to:Act Me a Story features short, high-quality videos of actors performing children’s books in lively, expressive ways. Each performance is designed to:

  • Highlight the structure and rhythm of the written word

  • Bring characters and plots to life with dynamic, age-appropriate acting

  • Model reading comprehension and fluency strategies

  • Model reading comprehension and fluency strategies

The videos are distributed to partner classrooms and community organizations, with accompanying materials to spark conversation, reinforce vocabulary, and invite creative response through drawing, acting, or retelling. In addition to the video series, we occasionally host live performances and interactive storytelling events in local schools—offering students the opportunity to meet actors, engage with stories in person, and imagine themselves as storytellers, too.

Why It Matters

We know that young children need repeated, joyful exposure to stories in order to become confident, capable readers. But for many children, especially those facing economic hardship or language barriers, books can feel intimidating or distant.

Act Me a Story bridges the gap by making stories feel relevant, exciting, and fun. Through expressive performance and emotional connection, theatrical storytelling engages multiple senses and helps children build background knowledge, expand vocabulary, strengthen listening and focus, and gain confidence in sharing their ideas. Just as importantly, it sparks imagination—something every child deserves to explore.

Watch The Videos

Visit our YouTube playlist to see the series in action. Performances include beloved children’s books by authors like Ezra Jack Keats, Mem Fox, and more. Each video is created with love by the PlayZoomers team, a talented group of Michigan-based theater professionals who are passionate about early childhood development and community impact.

WATCH HERE

Want to Learn More?

We’re always planning what’s next at the Thriving Educator Institute. Reach out to find out about upcoming retreats, workshops, or ways to get involved. Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or supporter, we’d love to connect.

CONTACT US
DONATE