PLAY CRITIQUES

Play critiques are intended to encourage you to think critically about the stories and art you observe.
To be successful on this assignment, you will need to do more than just sit back and enjoy the
show. You will need to pay careful attention to the parts of the play and how they interact.

RULES:
1. Critiques are DUE within one week of seeing the
show.
2. You must turn in your program or ticket stub with
your critique for full credit. If its missing, you will
lose 10% of your grade.
3. You cannot critique a show if you are involved as a
member of its cast/crew.
4. Your critique must be typed using 11-12 point font.
There is no length requirement for your critique. More
importantly, do your best to follow these guidelines for
each paragraph:
Paragraph 1: Identify the show you saw, the date of the
performance, and the name of the theater or production
company. You might also include important information like the directors name, playwrights name,
and the names of lead actors and actresses if you will be referring to their specific contributions later
in your critique. Give a brief plot synopsis of the show, like you might find on the back of a
book/DVD.
Paragraph 2: State what you believe was the overall message or theme of the play. Themes are
more than just one word (e.g., The theme of the play is friendship=BAD). Make an argument for
how events and elements in the play provide a commentary on the theme (e.g., The theme of the
play is how powerful friendships are formed with people you would least expect=BETTER). Provide
2-3 examples of how that theme is demonstrated or developed in the play.
Paragraphs 3-4: Describe the effectiveness of the parts of the show. Pick one theatrical element per
paragraph and analyze how that element supports the theme. You might consider the acting, design,
directing, writing, or technology choices. Explain how these elements contributed to the overall
quality and unity of the production.
Paragraph 5: Conclude with your personal opinion of the show. Did you like itwhy or why not?
What are your personal preferences for theatre? Would you recommend it to any particular person or
group of people? You should also describe the shows impact on its audience: were they silent and
focused on the performance or chatty and restless? Think about any comments and opinions you
heard from audience members during intermission and after the show. Did the show meet, exceed,
or fall short of the audiences expectations? Explain how the show was received by the audience.