Things You'll Need:
- Computer
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Step 1
1. Get Feedback. Take your play to a reputable instructor or playwriting group. They will tell you what isn't clear or can be improved. Listen to what they say - especially when more than one person says the same thing.
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Step 2
2. Get a Staged Reading. See if there's a theatre or playwriting group that can give your play a staged reading. If all else fails, get a group together in your living room to read it out loud. There is no substitute for hearing how others interpret your words and witnessing the reactions of your audience. You'll learn how many lines of dialogue can sound completely different from what you imagined.
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Step 3
3. Don't get Defensive. When receiving feedback, you of course need to take it with a grain of salt. But remember, the audience isn't wrong about when they're bored or confused. They may not have the best ideas about how to fix your play, but pay attention to their reactions.
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Step 4
4. Don't Lose Track of your Original Vision. On the other hand, don't listen every critique. Don't forget what you were trying to accomplish or say through the play in the first place (although those ideas may shift during the writing). Sometimes others have ideas for making your play funnier or more dramatic that don't actually fit with your vision. Remember, it is your play.
