LIA Open Reading Project

A community reading initiative from Love In Action Network and Love City Arts Academy where actors, performers, writers, and developing readers can strengthen their skills by reading plays, scripts, scenes, monologues, new works, and selected existing works aloud in a supportive environment.

What is the LIA Open Reading Project?The LIA Open Reading Project is an ongoing opportunity for people who want more chances to READ.

We bring readers together primarily through Clubhouse to explore dramatic and creative material aloud.

That may include:

• New plays and works in development
• Published plays and established works
• Scenes
• Monologues
• Short plays
• Original scripts
• Screenplays
• Musical theatre scenes and librettos
• Poetry and spoken-word pieces
• Experimental work
• Material submitted by participating writers

The purpose is simple:

The more you read, the stronger you become at reading.

This is a place to practice, experiment, listen, take risks, discover new material, and become more comfortable bringing words from the page to life.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is this for?

The project is for people interested in developing their ability to read and interpret material aloud.

That may include:

• Actors
• Singers and musical theatre performers
• Voice artists
• Writers
• Directors
• Teaching artists
• Theatre students
• Emerging performers
• Experienced performers who want to keep their skills active
• People interested in exploring performance

You do not have to be a professional actor to participate.

2. Do I need acting experience?

No.

Some readers may have extensive professional experience. Others may be newer to the craft.
What matters most is your willingness to read, listen, learn, take direction, and respect the room.

3. Is there an audition?

Yes.

To participate as a reader, you will complete a brief 90-second WhatsApp audition.

This gives us an opportunity to hear you read and learn a little about your voice, instincts, and performance style before placing you into reading opportunities.

The audition is not about being perfect.

We are looking for people who are willing to explore, practice their craft, take direction, and contribute positively to the reading community.

Audition format: 90-second reading submitted via WhatsApp.

Additional instructions will be provided when you express interest.

4. Where do the readings happen?

Our primary reading rooms are hosted on Clubhouse.

Clubhouse allows us to gather readers from different locations, bring people onto the stage, assign material, and explore work together in real time.

Additional reading opportunities, workshops, rehearsals, or development sessions may occasionally happen through other Love In Action Network or Love City Arts Academy spaces.

5. What exactly will we read?

It will vary.

One session might involve cold-reading scenes from a play.
Another might feature a writer bringing in a brand-new script.

Another could focus on monologues, character work, comedy, dramatic scenes, or ensemble reading.

We want readers to encounter a wide variety of voices, styles, characters, genres, and material.

6. Are the reading sessions auditions?

No.

While there is a 90-second WhatsApp audition required to join the reader pool, the regular reading sessions themselves are primarily about practice, exploration, community, and skill development.

However, reading regularly also gives us an opportunity to discover performers.

Love In Action Network, Love City Arts Academy, and our collaborators regularly develop creative projects. Participation does not guarantee casting or employment, but relationships and future creative opportunities can naturally grow from being in the room.

7. What skills can this help me develop?

Regular reading can help strengthen:

• Cold-reading skills
• Script analysis
• Character interpretation
• Vocal expression
• Pacing
• Listening
• Emotional connection
• Storytelling
• Confidence
• Sight-reading
• Making quick creative choices
• Ensemble awareness
• Taking direction
• Audition preparation
• 
  

Most importantly, you get repetitions.

Creative skills become stronger when they are actually practiced.

8. What is a cold reading?

A cold reading is when you perform or read material with little or no rehearsal beforehand.

You receive the material, make quick choices, and begin.
Cold reading is an extremely useful skill because auditions, workshops, callbacks, rehearsals, table reads, and development sessions often require performers to process material quickly.

9. Do I have to prepare before each reading?

Not always.

Some sessions may intentionally be true cold readings.
For others, material may be distributed beforehand.
Instructions will be provided whenever preparation is required.

10. Do I have to perform perfectly?

Absolutely not.

This is a practice room, not a perfection room.
You may stumble over a word.

You may make a character choice that does not work.
You may completely change your interpretation after hearing another reader.

Good.
That is part of the process.

We want people willing to explore rather than people obsessed with appearing perfect.

11. Will I receive feedback?

Feedback will depend on the type of session.

Some readings may simply focus on reading and experiencing the material.

Others may include:

• Coaching
• Direction
• Reader feedback
• Writer feedback
• Discussion
• Character exploration
• Script analysis

When feedback is part of a session, we want it to be constructive, respectful, specific, and useful.

12. Can writers submit their own work?

Yes.

One of the goals of this project is to create opportunities for writers to hear their words spoken by real people.

Writers may be invited to submit:

• Scenes
• Short plays
• Full-length plays
• Screenplays
• Monologues
• Musicals
• Spoken-word material
• Works in development

Submission does not automatically guarantee that material will be selected for a reading.

13. Can I participate as both a writer and reader?

Yes.

You are welcome to participate in multiple capacities when appropriate.

Writers can learn an enormous amount by reading other writers' material, and actors often become stronger interpreters when they understand the writing process.

Anyone participating specifically as a reader will still need to complete the 90-second WhatsApp audition.

14. Are these performances?

Not necessarily.

Think of them primarily as readings and development sessions.

Some may feel similar to a traditional table read.
Others may become more performative.

Occasionally, a project may grow from an informal reading into a workshop, showcase, staged reading, production, or another creative opportunity.

But that is not required for the reading itself to be valuable.

15. Will readings be recorded?

Some sessions may be recorded or documented.

If a particular session will be recorded, streamed, repurposed, or distributed, participants will be informed of the applicable expectations.

Participants should never assume that a digital room is completely private.

16. What about copyrighted material?

We take intellectual property seriously.

Existing published works may be used only in ways appropriate for the specific educational, developmental, licensed, public-domain, or otherwise permitted context.
For public presentations or performances requiring permission, appropriate performance or usage rights must be secured.

Writers submitting original work should only submit material they own or have permission to share.

17. Does submitting my writing give LIA ownership of it?

No.

Submitting material for consideration does not, by itself, transfer ownership of your intellectual property to Love In Action Network or Love City Arts Academy.

Specific projects requiring additional permissions, recording rights, production rights, licensing, or agreements will be handled separately when applicable.

18. Is there a cost to participate?

Reading opportunities may be offered as free community experiences, Academy activities, workshops, classes, or special programs depending on the session.

Any cost associated with a particular opportunity will be communicated before participation.

19. How often will readings happen?

The Open Reading Project is intended to be an ongoing initiative rather than a single event.

Readers can audition to join the reader pool and then participate in opportunities that fit their interests and availability.

20. What happens after I express interest?

The process is simple:

Step 1: Express your interest.
Let us know you would like to become a reader.
Step 2: Complete your 90-second WhatsApp audition.
You will receive instructions for submitting a brief reading through WhatsApp.
Step 3: Join the reader pool.
Selected participants may be added to our pool of readers for upcoming sessions and projects.
Step 4: Read with us.

When an appropriate opportunity becomes available, readers may be invited to participate based on the material, availability, and needs of the session.
Being in the reader pool does not guarantee placement in every reading.

21. What are the expectations for readers?

Come ready to participate.

We ask readers to:

• Be respectful.
• Be encouraging.
• Listen when others are reading.
• Follow the moderator or director's instructions.
• Treat writers and their material with respect.
• Avoid publicly tearing down another participant's work.
• Be willing to experiment.
• Communicate if you commit to something and can no longer attend.
• Help us create a room where people can take creative risks.

Talent matters.

But generosity in the room matters too.

22. Can professional actors participate?

Absolutely.

Professional performers need practice too.

Reading unfamiliar material regularly can keep your instincts active, strengthen cold-reading skills, introduce you to writers, and create relationships with other working creatives.

23. Can beginners audition?

Yes.

You do not have to wait until you feel like a “real actor” before you start practicing acting.

The 90-second audition is simply our opportunity to hear you read and determine whether the project is currently a good fit.

Come willing to learn.

24. Can directors participate?

Yes.

We are also interested in connecting with directors, facilitators, acting coaches, dramaturgs, writers, and other creative professionals who may want to help lead or support future readings.

25. Is this only for people in Savannah?

No.

Because many of our readings happen virtually through Clubhouse, participation can extend well beyond Savannah.

Our goal is to build a diverse community of readers and creatives who can connect across geography.

26. What kinds of voices are you looking for?

All kinds.

Different ages.
Different backgrounds.
Different vocal qualities.
Different levels of experience.
Different performance traditions.
Different perspectives.

A strong reading community becomes more interesting when everybody does not sound, think, or perform exactly the same way.

27. Why are you doing this?

Because performers need places to practice.

Writers need places to hear their work.
Directors need people to explore ideas with.
Emerging artists need opportunities to get repetitions without every creative experience feeling like a high-stakes professional audition.

And creative people need community.

The Open Reading Project is designed to create more opportunities for all of those things to happen.

Our Philosophy:

You do not become a stronger reader by waiting for somebody to cast you.

You read.
You practice.
You stumble.
You listen.
You make choices.
You discover what works.
You try again.
And eventually, something that once intimidated you starts feeling natural.
That is what this project is about.

More rooms to practice.
More stories to explore.
More people to meet.
More opportunities to grow.

Interested in Reading With Us?

If you would like to participate in the LIA Open Reading Project, the first step is to express your interest and complete a 90-second WhatsApp audition.

You do not need to be perfect.
You do not need an enormous résumé.
You do need to be willing to show up, read, explore, listen, and grow.

Actors are welcome.
Writers are welcome.
Beginners are welcome.
Professionals are welcome.
Curious creatives are welcome.

Your next step:

Express your interest here: 

https://lovedandlovable.org/#talentintake

 → Complete your 90-second WhatsApp audition → Join the reader pool → Come read with us.

Love In Action Network
Encourage. Equip. Empower.
Love City Arts Academy

Creative development through practice, community, and opportunity.