Rosa Parks | Civil Rights Leader | Readers Theater Script

This Rosa Parks Historical Figure Readers Theater Script engages students in an interactive narrative instead of reading a dry history textbook. Abigail and Benjamin follow Rosa Parks from her quiet early life to the day she refused to give up her seat, witnessing how her small act sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and influenced civil rights victories.

Script Summary:

Abigail and Benjamin see Rosa Parks prepare for change as she grows aware of harsh segregation. Her refusal on the bus in 1955 triggers a year-long boycott. Supported by Edgar Nixon, Jo Ann Robinson, and guided by Martin Luther King Jr.’s nonviolent principles, the community unites in solidarity. Through perseverance, they win a Supreme Court ruling declaring bus segregation unconstitutional. Parks later speaks at the Alabama Freedom March (primary source, 1965), expressing her regained faith and stance for right over wrong. In a 1981 letter (primary source), she honors Dr. King’s legacy, showing her consistent belief in love and justice. Her life proves that quiet courage, unity, and faith in moral principles can reshape laws and transform society.

This product includes a zip file consisting of:

1) Readers Theater Script

• ~10 Characters, 1800 words, PDF & Editable DOCX Formats (7 pages)
• Includes factual historical information, primary source quotes, and narrative storytelling
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts

2) Comprehensive Script Worksheet

• Includes Answer Key, Google Slides & PDF Formats (4 Pages | 17 Slides)
• 10 Vocabulary Words: Definitions based on the context of the script to build historical literacy
• 10 Short-Answer Questions: Comprehension and recall questions based solely on the script, ensuring students can analyze the content without requiring additional research.
• Long-Format Writing Questions: Encourage deeper reflection and analysis, including one primary source exploration question.

3) Two Primary Source Documents

• Rosa Parks Speech at the Alabama Freedom March - March 25, 1965
• Rosa Parks on Martin Luther King (1981)
• Full Primary Source Text, PDF & DOCX Formats (2 pages)

Teaching Tips for Using the Script:

• For digital classrooms, upload the DOCX Script and convert to Google docs
• For More Students: Main character can be read by multiple students.
• For Less Students: Minor characters can be read by just one student.
• This script should take about ~25 minutes and depending on your classroom's level it may be suitable for other grade levels.
• An extra ~25 minutes for prep, discussion, vocabulary or short answer comprehension questions should also be planned.

This resource is part of a bundle dedicated to notable Civil Rights Leaders:

SAVE 50% and get the bundle here: Civil Rights Leaders Reader's Theater Scripts Bundle (12)