Your review Title

Reviews are expected to be:

HONEST
CLEAR (not ambiguous)
JUSTIFY OPINIONS (don't just say it stinks, say WHY)
COMPREHENSIVE
THOROUGH

Check:

Does it make sense?
Are there any contradictions?
Do the ideas flow and transition well?
Is the spelling of all names correct?
Is spelling correct in general?
Is the grammar correct?
Are the verb tenses consistent and fit?

Sometimes it is appropriate to change verb tenses based on how you write it - "The show tonight had a problem." (specific to this show). "The plot is good," (This won't change). "He sang well," (Pointing out a specific of the show - You could also say "He sings well". I try to use present/ongoing verb tense for praise and past tense directed to a specific show for negatives. Just try to make sure the verb tenses make SENSE and say what you mean to say.

Do you have minimal use of "I think"? Basically any review IS an opinion, so you don't need to keep saying "I think" this or that. No kidding.
Try to develop your own style of writing

Please add a blank line between paragraphs and before the byline.

Your review can be done in other orders, but I look for all these elements listed below. This is a pattern I have found works for me and new reviewers may find this useful. If you have suggestions for revisions/improvements for this how to guide, please send an email to me at director@sceneplay.com.

OUTLINE of HOW TO WRITE A REVIEW

show title
location
review title

I. Overall
Your overall feeling about the show, include name of show and where it's playing.

II. What makes is special?
Anything really unusual or unique about the show goes here. For instance, nudity, puppetry, accents, anything an audience might find offensive, etc. Or if the SET is really amazing, move that section here.. etc

III. Plot summary
This can be separate or incorporated into acting review.

IV. Acting review
(also review singing/dancing of main characters)
A. Cover all main characters and how well they did their roles
B. Cover any other roles that are outstanding (good or bad) for any reason
Please make sure you list both the role and the actor's name when first mentioned.
This section will be the bulk of the review and will cover several paragraphs.

V. Setting
Is it one or many sets?
How well do they transition from one to another?
Does anything about the sets stand out as very good or bad?
How realistic is it?
How elaborate?
Suggestions for improvement?

VI. Lighting
same questions as V.

VI. Sound
Same questions as V.
Are there any problems hearing the actors?
How did any other background sounds fit the show?

VIII. Special Effects
Anything outstanding?
If they are REALLY amazing, this might go to section II.

IX. Anything Else
Anything else not previously stated that should be mentioned would go here.

X. Summary
Why someone should or shouldn't see it and
Why they might or might not like it
Closure line.

XI. Byline
by [your name]
(PLEASE NOTE IF YOU FORGET THIS you might not receive credit for the review until I notice it myself)

XII. Title
After you have written the review, reread it and come up with a Title. This is the reviewer's job, not the editor's. Put the title at the top of your submission followed by a blank line.

Cast list and production crew may be submitted separately, but asap. Please keep reading.

Cast

Please state at the top if it's in order of appearance or alphabetical

Format of this is
character - actor's name

Please make sure you list the character first then space hyphen space followed by actor's real name.

Production Crew

Format of this is
role - real name

Please remember to do space hyphen space between the two and give the real name AFTER the hyphen. The script (computer program) which changes the second name to bold looks for the hypen with space before and after it.
(Note, if you write review text with hyphens or dashes, please try to remember to double then -- not just use a single one.)

Photographs

You should request a press photo at all shows you attend. If it is a community theater show, ask in advance when you get the comps. If they don't have any, that's ok, at least you tried. If you receive one, please get it scanned and email us the jpg . If you can find the same exact photo online elsewhere (such as at the theater's website or possibly another review of same show for large shows), send me an email with the url link immediately and I can use this - IF it is the same photo they gave out. You can get photos scanned at Kinko's and similar stores.

About the Copyright

Please note that although we claim copyright for what we publish, if you are the author of a specific review, we believe you own the rights to your own reviews and may publish your own work elsewhere as you desire at no compensation to Sceneplay - provided it does not require you to remove your already published work from Sceneplay. Intellectual property remains with the originator. These are the views of Sceneplay and its proprietors and may not be held by other publications (unfortunately).

Please add the following information about shows if you have it. It should be in press package you receive at the show:

Name of show
Plays til date
Theatre Name
Street Address, town
Phone # for box office
Ticket prices (if available)

GOOD LUCK!
Please email me if you have any questions at director@sceneplay.com

by Angel