Editing Read-through (section)

{{Short description|Reading of a screenplay or script by actors with speaking parts}}
{{redirect|Table Read|the ''Space Ghost Coast to Coast'' episode|Table Read (Space Ghost Coast to Coast){{!}}Table Read (''Space Ghost Coast to Coast'')}}
[[File:Table read of sitcom pilot.jpg|thumb|Read-through of sitcom pilot]]

The '''read-through''', '''table-read''', or '''table work''' is a stage of [[film production|film]], [[television production|television]], [[radio]], and [[theatre production]] when an organized reading of the [[screenplay]] or [[script (performing arts)|script]] is conducted around a table by the [[actors]] with speaking parts.<ref name="TT">{{cite book|last=Campbell|first=Drew|title=Technical Theater for Nontechnical People (page 210-211)|edition=2|publisher=Allworth Communications, Inc.|year=2004|pages=272|isbn=1-58115-344-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h3PzcjyIHcMC&q=%22Read-through%22,+theater&pg=PA210}}</ref><ref name="TS">{{cite book|last=Leach|first=Robert|title=Theatre Studies: The Basics (pgs 135-137)|publisher=Routledge|year=2008|pages=194|isbn=978-0-415-42639-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6kFqik4Z3icC&q=%22Read-through%22,+theater&pg=PA135}}</ref>

In addition to the cast members with speaking parts, the read-through is usually attended by the principal [[financier]]s or [[studio]] [[corporate officer|executives]], [[film producer|producers]], heads of department, writers, and [[film director|directors]]. It is generally attended only by people involved in the production. It is usually the first time that everyone involved in the production gathers together, and it is traditional for all people to introduce themselves by both name and job.{{fact|date=October 2017}} The director may then open proceedings by making a short speech outlining their aspirations for the project.

An additional professional actor not otherwise involved in the production may be hired to read the non-dialogue parts of the script such as scene headings and action. These parts of the script are usually edited down severely for the purposes of the read-through to maintain the pace of the reading.