50 Theatre Journal Prompts for Serious Theatregoers

You're in the lobby at intermission, surrounded by people buzzing about what just happened. You have a strong opinion about that first act. By the time the curtain call happens, that opinion has shifted. Neither version makes it into your memory unless you write it down.

The average Broadway show runs 2.5 hours with intermission. That's a lot of moments, staging choices, performances, and reactions compressed into one evening. Without prompts, most people default to "it was good" or "I loved it" and leave everything else behind.

These 50+ prompts give you a framework for capturing what matters. Use them after every show (whether it's a Broadway musical), a touring production, or community theatre in your hometown.

The Basics (10 Prompts)

Start with the facts. These anchor your memory and let you find specific shows later.

1. What show did you see? (Full title, including any subtitle like "The Musical")

2. What date and time was the performance? (Matinee vs. evening affects the energy)

3. What theatre or venue? (Include the city if you travel for shows)

4. Where did you sit? (Section, row, seat (and was the view worth it?)

5). Who did you go with? (Solo attendance counts too)

6. How did you get tickets? (Lottery, rush, resale, subscription, gift?)

7. How much did you pay? (Useful for comparing value later)

8. What type of show was this? (Musical, play, revival, one-person show, immersive?)

9. Why did you choose this show? (Recommendation, cast, reviews, bucket list, curiosity?)

10. How many times have you seen this show before? (First time or repeat visit?)

Cast & Creative (10 Prompts)

Broadway shows feature 20-25 songs in a typical musical, but it's the performers who make those songs land. Document who you saw.

11. Who played the lead role(s)? (Principal cast you'll want to remember)

12. Were any understudies or standbys on? (Often noted in a slip in the playbill)

13. Which performer stood out most? (Not necessarily the lead)

14. Was there a performance that surprised you? (Better or worse than expected)

15. Who was the playwright? (For plays) or book writer? (For musicals)

16. Who directed? (Director's vision shapes everything)

17. Who composed the music and/or wrote the lyrics? (For musicals)

18. Did you notice the choreographer's style? (Signature moves, dance breaks, ensemble work)

19. Any creative team member whose work stood out? (Lighting designer, set designer, costume designer)

20. If you've seen this show before with a different cast, how did this cast compare?

The Experience (12 Prompts)

A theatre trip is more than the two hours in your seat. Capture the full evening.

21. What did you do before the show? (Dinner, drinks, travel to the theatre)

22. Where did you eat? (Restaurant name, what you ordered if memorable)

23. What was your mood arriving at the theatre? (Excited, skeptical, exhausted, neutral?)

24. What were your expectations going in? (High, low, none?)

25. What was your intermission reaction? (First impressions before Act II changed anything)

26. Did you get any refreshments at intermission? (The $7 candy bar is part of the experience)

27. What was the audience energy like? (Enthusiastic? Reserved? Tourists? Regulars?)

28. Did anything happen during the show that wasn't part of the show? (Late arrivals, phone went off, someone in your row was emotional)

29. What did you do immediately after? (Stage door, walked around, went home, went out?)

30. Did you wait at stage door? (Stage door waits average 15-45 minutes after curtain (was it worth it?)

31). Did you buy any merchandise or souvenirs? (Program, t-shirt, cast recording?)

32. Who did you talk to about the show afterward, and what did you discuss?

The Performance (12 Prompts)

The actual content of what you saw. This is where specificity matters most.

33. What was your favorite scene or moment? (Be specific (which song), which scene, which line?)

34. Was there a moment that gave you chills or made you emotional?

35. What was the funniest moment? (If comedy was involved)

36. Was there a quote or lyric that stuck with you?

37. Describe a staging choice that worked particularly well.

38. Was there a staging choice that didn't work for you?

39. How would you describe the pacing? (Did it drag anywhere? Rush through important moments?)

40. What stood out about the set design? (Minimal, elaborate, surprising, distracting?)

41. What stood out about the costumes?

42. How was the sound quality? (Could you hear everything? Was it too loud? Balance issues?)

43. If it was a musical, which song was the standout?

44. If it was a play, which act was stronger?

Critical Reflection (10 Prompts)

Your actual opinions. The prompts that force you to take a position.

45. What surprised you? (About the show, production, your reaction)

46. What disappointed you? (Be honest (no show is perfect)

47). How did reality compare to your expectations? (Better, worse, different?)

48. Would you recommend this show? To whom specifically?

49. Would you see this show again? (Yes, no, maybe (with explanation)

50). Three words to describe the show. (Forces clarity that paragraphs don't)

51. Rate the show overall. (1-5 stars, 1-10, whatever scale you use)

52. Rate the performances specifically. (Separate from overall (sometimes acting saves a weak script), or vice versa)

53. Rate the production values. (Set, costumes, lighting, sound as a whole)

54. If you could change one thing about this production, what would it be?

The Theatre Itself (8 Prompts)

The venue shapes the experience. Some theatres become destinations; others fade into the background.

55. What were your impressions of the theatre as a venue? (Historic, modern, intimate, massive?)

56. How was your seat? (Legroom, sightlines, comfort)

57. Could you see everything, or were there obstructed views?

58. How were the restrooms and intermission logistics? (Lines, timing, accessibility)

59. Did the theatre's location add to the experience? (Times Square, historic district, downtown, local arts center)

60. Would you return to this specific theatre for another show?

61. Any details about the theatre itself worth remembering? (Architecture, history, lobby art, pre-show announcements)

62. How did this venue compare to others where you've seen theatre?

Using These Prompts

You don't need to answer all 62 prompts for every show. Choose what resonates with the experience you just had.

For a quick entry: Hit the basics (1-10), pick 2-3 from Performance, answer #47 (expectations vs. reality), and give your ratings. Five minutes, done.

For a detailed entry: Work through each category, skip the prompts that don't apply, and spend extra time on reflections. Fifteen to twenty minutes for a show that mattered.

For a show you've seen before: Focus on comparison prompts (#20, #47) and what was different this time. The repeat viewing is its own experience.

The goal isn't completeness. It's capturing enough that you can revisit this entry in five years and actually remember what you experienced.

For a structured format with these prompts built in, see the Theatre Remembered journal (three pages per show with fields for cast), reflections, ratings, and memorabilia. And for a complete guide to building a theatre documentation habit, read our theatre journaling guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to answer every prompt after every show?

No. Pick the ones that matter for that specific experience. A quick community theatre show might only need the basics and a few reflections. A bucket-list Broadway trip deserves the full treatment.

When should I fill out these prompts?

As soon as possible after the show. The car ride home, that evening, or the next morning at latest. Memory fades fast (intermission thoughts can disappear by the time you're at dinner).

What if I don't have strong opinions about a show?

That's data too. "Nothing stood out, wouldn't see again, fine but forgettable" is a valid entry. When you look back at 40 shows, knowing which ones left no impression is useful.

Should I write during intermission?

Only quick notes (jot your immediate reaction in your phone if you want to capture it). Don't spend intermission writing essays. Be present for the second act.

How do I use the "three words" prompt?

Force yourself to choose exactly three. It creates clarity. "Heartbreaking. Gorgeous. Long." or "Clever. Uneven. Memorable." These distilled reactions are more useful for quick reference than paragraphs.

What about shows I saw years ago (should I go back and document them?

If you remember enough to make it worthwhile), sure. But focus on capturing shows going forward. Better to build a habit than to reconstruct fading memories.