Dramaturgy and Script Development
Whether you're wrestling with structure, trying to deepen your characters, or preparing a script for submission or production, I offer clear, collaborative dramaturgical feedback designed to help your work reach its fullest potential.
I work as a dramaturg and script consultant with writers at every stage of their careers—from first-time playwrights to established professionals—and tailor my feedback to the unique needs of each project. Rather than offering a list of fixes, I aim to ask the questions, identify the patterns, and provide the practical tools that help writers move confidently into their next draft and discover the strongest version of the story they want to tell.
Why Work With Me
I bring a multi-dimensional perspective to every script I read. Years spent creating new work, exploring scripts with actors in the rehearsal room, and working alongside the people who champion and develop new plays and musicals have given me a deep understanding of how different readers engage with a script—and how those perspectives inform one another. My feedback is designed to strengthen not just the writing itself, but the script's ability to inspire collaborators, thrive in the rehearsal room, and connect with audiences.
I know what it takes to build a script from the inside.
As an award-winning playwright and musical theatre writer, I understand the challenges of developing new work because I face them myself. My feedback is grounded in the realities of the writing process, helping you clarify what your script is reaching toward and how to bring it fully to life.
I know how scripts live beyond the page.
Years of directing new plays and musicals at all stages of development have taught me how actors interpret a script, where scenes come alive, and where they stall. My notes consider not only how a script reads, but how it will play in the room and on stage.
I know how new work moves toward production.
From reading scripts professionally at theatre, film, and television production company Crocodile Eyes to serving as Associate Director throughout the development of the Broadway musical The Outsiders, I've helped shape projects at every stage of development. Along the way, I've collaborated with directors, literary teams, producers, and artistic leaders, giving me insight into what they respond to and how scripts move successfully through development.
I help writers realize their script's potential.
Every writer works differently, and every project needs something different. Rather than prescribing solutions, I aim to identify the questions that unlock your next draft, helping you hone in on the story you're trying to tell. My goal is for you to leave with renewed momentum and a clear roadmap for making that story as emotionally and theatrically compelling as it can be.
Ways to Work Together
I work with playwrights, musical theatre writers, and screenwriters at every stage of script development, from early ideas to production-ready drafts. Whether you're looking for detailed notes on a finished draft or an ongoing creative partner, I tailor every collaboration to the needs of the writer and the project.
Written Script Feedback
Ideal for writers looking for fresh eyes on a completed or in-progress draft.
You'll receive:
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A detailed written dramaturgical report tailored to your goals and questions
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Honest, thoughtful feedback that identifies both your script's strengths and its greatest opportunities for growth
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A clear, actionable roadmap for your next draft, with practical suggestions for bringing your script closer to the play you want it to be
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An optional follow-up consultation to discuss the feedback and plan your next steps
Script Consultation
Perfect if you'd rather talk through a challenge than receive written notes.
A one-on-one video session where we can:
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Brainstorm solutions to structural or storytelling challenges
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Talk through character development and dramatic arcs
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Develop a focused, actionable plan for your next draft
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Prioritize the revisions that will have the greatest impact before your next deadline or opportunity
Ongoing Development
For writers developing a project over multiple drafts.
Together we'll build an ongoing collaborative process with recurring feedback, consultations, and accountability tailored to your project's timeline.
Areas of Particular Expertise
I have particular experience supporting work that explores Jewish identity and women's experiences. Whether you're writing from within those perspectives or portraying experiences beyond your own, my feedback focuses not only on authenticity, but on helping those elements serve the emotional and dramatic life of the piece.
What Writers are Saying
"Dylan is thorough, kind, insightful, and—on top of it all—brilliant. Her feedback was spot-on, highlighting not only problem spots in my play, but also affirming what works. It is super clear that Dylan's skills as both a writer and dramaturg are A+, and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from her."
-Teresa Lotz
"Dylan has been helping me workshop and hone my play for about a year, and her insights have been invaluable. She sees both the big-picture weaknesses in a narrative and the small details that need chiseling. She gets storytelling to its core and is helping make my play as bombastic as it can be."
-Gili Malinksy
"Dylan's enthusiastic and insightful feedback helped me see blind spots in my character development and narrative thrust. It was exactly the gentle nudge I needed to make Smalls & Talls a more effective and poignant piece."
-Rebbekah Vega-Romero
Smalls & Talls subsequently became an O'Neill National Playwrights Conference Finalist.
Pricing
Every project is different, and I'm happy to discuss the best approach based on your goals and timeline.
Written Feedback (Plays & Screenplays)
Written Feedback (Musicals)
Consultation (without advance reading)
Consultation (with advance reading)
Rush deadlines, exceptionally long scripts, and ongoing development packages are priced individually. If you're not sure which option is the best fit, feel free to get in touch—I'm happy to recommend the approach that I think will be most useful.
Starting at $200
Starting at $300
$125/hour
Starting at $250