The Next Step Playwriting Program

LOOKING AT A PLAY FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF AUDIENCE, PRODUCER, LITERARY MANAGER, DESIGNER, ACTOR AND DIRECTOR--HELPING THE PLAYWRIGHT TAKE THE NEXT STEP.

Playwright Jack Neary (TRICK OR TREAT, AULD LANG SYNE, THE PORCH, JERRY FINNEGAN'S SISTER, FIRST NIGHT, KONG'S NIGHT OUT) offers private evaluation, via email or US mail, for playwrights and screenwriters who are interested in an assessment of their scripts in the formative stages. To utilize the service, please scroll down, choose your preferred assessment level and use the PayPal button to purchase the service. Within 24 hours (usually much sooner) Jack will contact you to arrange the method of receiving your script, either via email or snail mail. He will then respond with the assessment within 10 days (again, usually much sooner).

"Thank you very much, Jack, for your very detailed and extremely helpful notes.  They were exactly what I needed! Your feedback was timely, insightful and well worth the price." - Mike McGeever, member, Play Submissions Helper.
 

"I recognize subject mastery when I see it. I see it in your assessment. Thank you for your assessment. You are a master at what you do.- Clarke Ahlers, Columbia, MD.

"Jack commented on the strengths of my play which were good to hear; but more importantly, I was impressed with how accurately he pointed out weaknesses in its thread, cited specific spots where it could be held together better and recommended critical adjustments.  He’s a master builder of drama."  −Isabel Gardner  

"Jack Neary is a mysterious man. He exists somewhere online and somewhere near a theater where he is in production. But he will read your work (for a small fee) and tell you the TRUTH. He's the "friendly read" you don't have because you can't trust your friends or family to a) know anything and b) tell you the truth. Worth every penny." Andrew Smith, playwright, member Play Submissions Helper

  Please see MORE TESTIMONIALS below...

Jack offers assessments of plays at various levels of progress:

400 word assessment of a full length play (100 pages or fewer): $125

400 word assessment of a full length play (101-125 pages): $150

400 word assessment of a one-act (or short) play (50 pages or fewer): $85

200 word assessment of a 10-minute play (12 pages, maximum): $50 

400 word assessment of a partially completed play, with recommendations for the next step in the process: $150

CLICK ON THE "BUY NOW" BUTTON, USE THE DROP DOWN MENU TO SELECT YOUR "NEXT STEP" OPTION, AND PAY VIA PAYPAL

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IF YOU ARE USING THIS SERVICE VIA PLAY SUBMISSIONS HELPER, USE THIS BUTTON:

PSH Options

The most thorough NEXT STEP service, recommended for playwrights looking for very specific comments and recommendations along the way, is the DETAILED ASSESSMENT, which follows this procedure: 

Jack will read through a script for the first time and make comments in the margins in blue ink. He will then make comments from a second reading in red ink, and return the script. Writers who have taken advantage of this service have found that this two-tiered assessment is very helpful in taking the next step towards a new draft of the play. The turnover time of this process is ten days.  The cost for this service is $225.  

Payment for the DETAILED ASSESSMENT can be made via PayPal by using the button below.  If you are contacting us via PLAY SUBMISSIONS HELPER, use the second option (PSH) in the drop down menu.

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Playwrights may submit hard copies or electronically mailed manuscripts.  To begin the process, please send Jack an EMAIL or call 978-853-9620. 

A FEW TESTIMONIALS...

"Thanks very much for the great feedback; these are the types of comments that I was hoping for.  I'm glad that I started with you, because I have a feeling that producers/directors would have been saying similar things to themselves, then passed on producing it without me knowing what to fix..." GARY HOHBEIN, playwright
 

"Until learning of Jack Neary and his playwriting-review service, I did not, despite numerous inquiries, encounter anyone who had any prior experience as to exactly how to successfully write a play. I found Jack's observations to be insightful, and reflecting on obvious experience in theater and production. What was so difficult to see in reading my own work became so much clearer from reading Jack's two-tiered commentary, I would undoubtedly have saved a lot of time had I known of Jack sooner. " FRAN DORAN, playwright.

"Jack...Your comments on the play were EXTREMELY helpful. Thanks. After my rewrites, I will probably contact you again. " CURT STRICKLAND, greatamericanpicture.com

“I just received and read your notes on my play GHOSTS OF OCEAN HOUSE. You have given me excellent practical (and workable) suggestions, exactly what I was hoping for. I'm grateful to you.” MICHAEL KIMBALL (Novelist—“Green Girls” and playwright—“Santa Come Home.”)

"My evolution as a playwright has been an informal affair. After having Jack Neary evaluate and criticize my work, I feel much more able to create plays on a par with those with years of classroom training." TOM DOYLE, PLAYWRIGHT

"I've had the experience of listening to many of (my) scenes read cold by a variety of actors over a period of three months. I rewrote several scenes based on their suggestions or my reactions to hearing it performed. It was this experience which has reinforced my desire to make this play stageworthy. However, your critique is far tougher and therefore far more helpful than their comments-or the director's, for that matter. So I am very grateful that I picked up that newspaper that featured an article about you." HELEN HART, ASPIRING PLAYWRIGHT

"Jack-I cannot thank you enough for your comments. I am feeling so motivated to edit, rewrite, etc. Extremely helpful. You have articulated flaws in the
show which I sensed, but was too close to to bring to the surface for consideration...Your comments are super helpful and timely. I am so glad I
sent you the script. Many thanks." SANDI HAMMOND, SINGER/SONGWRITER

"Your advice has been invaluable. If the play ever gets produced I would love to give you credit for your assistance." DON DIVECCHIO.