Actors Reading with Kids

THE ARK IS FULL FOR 2026

We are no longer accepting students

Watch this space in April 2027 to sign up for next year

Actors Reading with Kids

Made possible by

Friends of the Union Library

Registration for 2027 will take place in April of next year.

Screenshot of text and faces of the student and tutor

"I didn't think it was possible to have him enjoy reading, and you did -- for that I'm truly thankful."

-- parent of an ARK student

ARK is a summer program run in conjunction with the Union Public Library, Union Township, NJ.

Strengthening skills -- building enjoyment in reading

Students grades 2-6 are paired with actor/tutors for weekly Zoom sessions July - August to work on reading aloud, vocabulary and comprehension skills. Registration takes place in each April for the summer program.

ARK started as an answer to the following question: during the Covid theater shutdown, how could actors who would normally be preparing to perform on stage use their skills and time to benefit the community? ACTORS READING WITH KIDS was piloted in the belief that acting and teaching have much in common, and that, as skilled, trained readers, actors could coach children in developing confidence and excitement for the vital exercise of expressing the written word.

CONGRATULATIONS, SIMON!

Simon, who took part in the 2025 program, worked with actor Gary Glor, The Theater Project’s general manager. Simon’s teachers had given him an assignment: memorize and recite an anonymous poem titled “A Smile.” He had always felt uncomfortable reading aloud in class. Simon and Mr. Gary, as he called his tutor, worked together to give him the confidence to stand in front of a group of teacher adjudicators and present the poem’s eight lines. The teachers selected him to recite the poem two weeks later in the school’s speech showcase. He brought home a blue ribbon. According to Simon, “It’s because Mr. Gary helped me.”

ARK is fun!

But don't take our word for it -- listen to Isabella in the video.

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The Reviews Are In:

From Students

(2025) I think the tutoring made me read better and it made me feel like I was ready for fourth grade and ready to carry on my reading skills to college.

Ms. Simone inspired me!

Liz was fun, nice and helpful. I really liked the Flat Stanley books. (from JAKE)

I really liked reading with you. In the past I have not enjoyed reading, you have made it super awesome and fun! I wish to do this program again, especially if I can do it with you. You made this program super fun, I wouldn't wish for anyone else to read with me. (from ANDERSON)

I like reading with Gary because he is helpful. For example, when I do not know how to pronounce a work he helps me pronounce it. I also like it because when it is the end we play hang man to go over the words I did not know. I really enjoy reading with Gary and book we chose, "Smile", was great. (from GRACE)

I like reading with Angela because she is very helpful and nice. She helps we with sounding out my "r" words, my pronunciation and reminds me to stop at the periods . We read "The Call of the Wild" and it was a very good book. I can't wait to watch the movie. Thank You for helping me, Angela. (from NICHOLAS)

We read a thousand hundred books ... I want to keep reading for the rest of my life. (from ISABELLA)

I like reading with Mr. Matt because he always chooses dinosaur books. I love the dinosaur books! My favorite books were about sea giants and velociraptor. I like talking with Mr. Matt while I read. I told him about the geologic times. Mr. Matt helps me read the words that I don’t know how to read yet. I think I can read better because of Mr. Matt. (from JUAN PABLO)

I had a great experience reading with Lynn. She introduced me to some cool books and helped me express myself when I read. Lynn was very nice and helpful. Thank you. (from JULIA)

From Parents

To Samantha -- 2025: I'm writing to share my thoughts about our experience with the ARK summer reading program. My son loved the program and his instructor Samantha Simone. Ms. Sam made reading fun and entertaining. The reading program has helped my son improve his reading skills. He also made improvements in sharing story summaries. Overall, the program was a great way to keep my son interested in reading throughout the summer months. I hope we have the opportunity to participate again next summer. Thank you.

To Liz --2025: My child had his final ARK session with Liz Samuel today and I wanted to write and let you know that he loved the program! He was a very shy reader at the start of the summer - he would only read out loud to me under much protest and then mumble so quietly that it was difficult for me to tell how much or how well he was actually reading. Liz did a great job of drawing him out and helping him become a more confident and expressive reader. A few weeks ago he was "entertaining" a table of adults with a joke book - something that I couldn't have imagined at the beginning of the summer. This program was a great way for him to practice reading - and I don't think it ever felt like work! Thank you so much to the Theater Project and Liz!

To Lynn Marie -- 2025: I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the ARK Reading Program. My 7-year-old daughter, Camila, who is going into second grade, participated this summer and absolutely loved the experience. She was paired with Lynn Marie, an actress who was patient, engaging, and wonderfully kind. With Lynn Marie’s encouragement, Camila read chapter books for the very first time, expanded her vocabulary, and made noticeable progress in her reading skills. Most importantly, her love for reading grew tremendously—she now looks forward to picking up books on her own. Camila described the program as “amazing” and is already hoping to join again next summer. We are truly grateful for the opportunity and the positive impact it has had on her confidence and enjoyment of reading.

To Kim -- 2025: Kim was amazing! She was so engaging and just kind to my child. Kim showed a genuine interest every session and really wanted her to understand what she was reading. This program definitely helped my child read more expressively and gain a new interest and books. It's one thing to read books in school for an assignment but it's another thing to read books in your leisure time and I feel like she's developed a habit of doing so over this summer with Kim. This is something we will definitely continue throughout the school year - reading chapter books outside of her normal school assignments.

To Anna -- 2025: I was talking with Juan José about the reading program, and he told me he really liked it. He felt nervous at first, but he gained confidence and likes to read aloud. He feels a little sad that the sessions are about to end, but he's very happy to have done them with you. For my part, I thank you because in each session I listened to him and saw his enthusiasm while reading the books he likes, such as Snoopy. Thank you very much, and a thousand blessings.

To Angela and Liz: Vincent, Lucy, and Sophie all had a wonderful experience. The teachers even came up with additional activities to enhance their reading.

To Samantha: My daughter loved spending reading time with Ms. Samantha Simone. She actually looked forward to it even when we were away on our vacation. Every week, she talked about it with her family full of excitement, My daughter said someday she would like to do this. She will be volunteering to do reading for Seniors.

To Emily: Emily was great. She had some great suggestions to help with my son's comprehension. He's shy, but by the end of the program she had pulled him out of his shell.

To Liz: The Reading with Actors program was such an enriching experience for my son this summer. He enjoys theatre and thought it was great to meet and work with an actual actor. We were happy to be paired with Liz Samuel, who brought so much energy and professionalism to a virtual environment. She was patient and genuine in learning my son's interests to incorporate them into the lessons. We would love to do this again!

To Angela: I didn't think it was possible to have him enjoy reading, and you did -- For that I'm truly thankful.

To Paul: Juan Pablo likes reading with you so much, he suggested to his friend that they read together over Zoom like he does with you! Juan Pablo was telling him all about how you read Godzilla and they are now reading Dog Man. Thank you for your positive example and influence!

Thank You for the opportunity to be part of your reading program and a big thank you to all the volunteers who organized. read, and encouraged our children to become better readers!

I loved this program. I really appreciate all you do for my daughter.

The reading program was a huge success with my children. (They) looked forward to meeting with the reading buddies each week and had a great time. Thank you very much.

My children looked forward to this program each week.

My daughter (and son) love this program. They looked forward to reading each week and working on their books. I would definitely sign up again next Summer.

Activites from ARK tutorials:

Matt Gonzalez's Very Cool Illustrated Diary

Debbie Pires, Matt's ARK coach reports:

"We are reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid - The Deep End. It's a diary with illustrations. He had registered for the Union Police Academy for Kids and would miss our session for a week. I asked if he would like to write his own diary, in the manner of the book, during the week he missed, and he agreed. The next session, he read it to me."

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Brandon Elizondo's ARK Animals

Brandon's coach Mary Jane Walsh tells us:

"The connection between our reading and the art work is the word “create,” which was new for him. After working on the word’s sounds, we worked on the meaning. I asked Brandon if he ever likes “to make” anything, and his enthusiastic answer was “drawings!” We discussed his drawings, I asked to see some, and he ran to get three. I asked if he’d like to have them displayed on the TTP site. Yes!"