What is the best way to incorporate feedback from a playwright in theatrical production problem-solving?

1 Establish rapport

Before you start working on the script, it is essential to establish a rapport with the playwright. This means getting to know them as a person, their background, their influences, their goals, and their expectations. You can do this by having informal conversations, sharing your own perspectives and experiences, and expressing your appreciation and respect for their work. Building trust and rapport will make the feedback process more productive and less stressful.

2 Ask questions

One of the best ways to incorporate feedback from the playwright is to ask questions. Questions can help you clarify the meaning, purpose, and tone of the script, as well as the playwright's intentions and preferences. Questions can also help you explore different possibilities, alternatives, and solutions for any issues or challenges that arise during the production. Asking questions shows that you are interested, attentive, and open to the playwright's input.

3 Listen actively

Another key skill to incorporate feedback from the playwright is to listen actively. This means paying attention to what the playwright is saying, as well as how they are saying it. You can demonstrate active listening by nodding, making eye contact, paraphrasing, summarizing, and providing feedback. Active listening can help you understand the playwright's perspective, emotions, and concerns, as well as identify any gaps, misunderstandings, or conflicts that need to be resolved.

5 Implement effectively

Once you have received and discussed the feedback from the playwright, you need to implement it effectively. This means making the necessary changes, adjustments, or revisions to the script, the direction, the design, the acting, or any other aspect of the production. You also need to communicate the changes to the rest of the production team and ensure that they are aligned and consistent. Implementing effectively can help you demonstrate your commitment and responsiveness to the playwright's feedback, as well as showcase the final result of your collaboration.

6 Evaluate and reflect

The last step to incorporate feedback from the playwright is to evaluate and reflect on the outcome of the production. You can do this by soliciting feedback from the audience, the critics, the cast, the crew, and the playwright themselves. You can also review the feedback process and identify what worked well, what didn't, and what can be improved for future productions. Evaluating and reflecting can help you learn from your experience, celebrate your achievements, and grow as a theatrical producer.