Forget movie night — here's how to host a table read instead

Big Night In is a series where Canadian experts and creatives share advice on how to spend a magical night at home. It's the ultimate guide to staying in — whether solo or with friends — featuring thoughtfully curated ideas that are anything but routine.

A table read is a simple but brilliant way to shake up your typical movie night: instead of just pressing play, you and your friends take on the film's roles yourselves. "A script becomes an invitation to your imagination," said Amanda Parris, award-winning playwright, host of For the Culture and creator of Revenge of the Black Best Friend. Rather than simply watching the adventure unfold, "you can be a part of it."

Like a real-life producer, you'll need to pick the right script. "I recommend going big, going campy and going for laughs," Parris said. "Musicals, comedies or a super silly horror-comedy." She suggests looking for movies or plays with memorable lines, an ensemble cast and plenty of back-and-forth dialogue to keep everyone engaged. "This isn't the time for the artsy, visually rich [but] dialogue-sparse indie or the romantic two-hander," she said. 

For a mix of theatre and karaoke, she recommends Rent. For a girls' night, Bridesmaids — which Parris calls a "near-perfect comedy script" — is a great choice. If you're gathering a co-ed group, the 1999 film The Best Man is ideal — "and make sure you have the soundtrack close on hand," she said. If you want full-blown theatrical silliness, she recommends a horror-comedy like the 1991 version of The Addams Family, which will invite dramatic line readings and maybe even a little costume fun, like "red lipstick for whoever is playing Morticia."

Parris suggests printing out scripts to keep distractions to a minimum, but if you must use mobile devices, set them to airplane mode to keep everyone focused. You don't need to sit at a table, but seating should be arranged so everyone can see one another. She suggests playing the film's soundtrack to set the mood as your guests arrive and encourages snacks that connect to the film — like Bridesmaids-themed baked goods, a nod to the film's "Cake Baby" bakery. 

When deciding who gets what part, Parris recommends casting roles in advance via group chat to give friends a chance to prepare or even get into character. "You can insert your own interpretations or you can recall the [actor's] iconic delivery ... and try your best to recreate it," she said. If anyone is hesitant to take a speaking part, she suggests letting them read stage directions or handle music cues.

"Intro the night by giving a brief background on the film or musical, [including] production facts, its reception — and make room for people's personal reviews," Parris said. She suggests taking a break at a natural midpoint to refresh drinks and reset before continuing. Then, once the reading is complete and everyone takes a bow, "turn the music back up … it's time to celebrate."