What’s Wrong with Post-Show Discussions?

Abstract

In this chapter I critically examine what isn’t working in post-show discussions. I discuss the dearth of literature, playwrights’ dislike of them, and the lack of facilitator training, clear focus, and a trained audience, and how all of these factors conspire to create post-show discussions that satisfy very few who participate in them. This is not to say that all post-show discussions are bad, but that many are, causing playwrights to detest them and creating headaches for facilitators preparing them and audiences participating in them.