How to Be Theatre Critic - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

The consistent success of Broadway theatre productions has a direct effect on the careers of theatre critics. With their in-depth reviews and critiques, theatre critics are highly sought after by major publications and websites. As Broadway continues to draw in high attendance numbers, the demand for theatre critics to provide expert opinion and analysis increases. Because of this, theatre critics often benefit from increased career opportunities, as well as higher salaries, recognition, and respect in the industry.

Steps How to Become

1. Get an education. A bachelor's degree in theatre, English, journalism, or a related field is preferred.
2. Gain experience. Participate in theatre productions, intern with theater companies, and volunteer to review plays for local newspapers, magazines, or websites.
3. Develop writing skills. Work on writing reviews that are both informative and entertaining.
4. Network. Make connections with theatre professionals and producers to get access to new productions.
5. Join professional organizations. Look for organizations that focus on theatre criticism and join their ranks.
6. Publish your work. Reach out to newspapers, magazines, and websites to publish your reviews.
7. Be open-minded and objective. Even if you don't like a particular production, be respectful and professional in your review.

Theatre criticism requires a combination of knowledge, skill, and experience in order to be successful. A skilled critic must have a deep understanding of the theatre industry, be familiar with the trends and conventions within the art form, and have a keen eye for detail. They must also be able to evaluate a production objectively, while also being able to identify and articulate the specific merits and flaws of a particular production.

Furthermore, they must be able to communicate their opinion in a way that is clear, concise, and engaging to the reader. Lastly, they must have the ability to remain impartial in their judgement, while also being able to express their own unique point of view. All of these qualities are essential for a competent theatre critic.

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Job Description

1. Analyze theatre performances to evaluate the quality of the production, actors, direction, and other elements.
2. Write reviews of theatre productions for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other publications.
3. Interview actors, directors, and other theatrical professionals to gain insight into the production.
4. Attend press nights and other special events related to theatrical productions.
5. Monitor current trends in theatre and theatre criticism.
6. Research historical information related to plays and performances.
7. Attend performances of plays, musicals, and operas to review them.
8. Visit rehearsal spaces and watch rehearsals to gain a better understanding of how a production is developed.
9. Edit reviews for accuracy and clarity.
10. Attend meetings with editors to discuss upcoming reviews and assignments.

Skills and Competencies to Have

1. Knowledge of theatre and production techniques
2. Ability to analyze theatrical performances
3. Understanding of theatre terminology and conventions
4. Strong written and verbal communication skills
5. Knowledge of relevant historical, social and cultural context
6. Ability to form and express opinions objectively
7. Good research skills
8. Ability to draw conclusions from observations
9. Attention to detail
10. Time management skills

Being a theatre critic requires an impressive set of skills. A critic needs to be able to assess and analyze performances objectively, articulate their thoughts in an intelligent and articulate manner, and have a vast knowledge of the history of theatre. In order to be successful, they must be able to draw connections between different performances, the actors, and the playwright’s intent.

Furthermore, it is essential for a theatre critic to possess a keen eye for detail and be able to detect even the subtlest of nuances on stage. These skills help them to accurately evaluate a performance and provide constructive feedback. it is the critic’s job to capture the essence of a performance, as well as the overall experience of the audience, while still being able to remain unbiased.

Without these skills, a theatre critic would not be able to effectively assess and review theatre performances.

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Frequent Interview Questions

• What made you decide to become a theatre critic?
• What have been the most rewarding aspects of being a theatre critic?
• How do you go about selecting which shows to review?
• What do you think makes a play successful?
• What criteria do you use when evaluating a performance?
• Describe your writing style and how it contributes to theatre criticism.
• How do you ensure your reviews are fair and balanced?
• What do you think sets good theatre criticism apart from mediocre reviews?
• How have you seen the role of theatre critic evolve over the years?
• As a theatre critic, how do you engage readers and encourage them to attend the shows you review?

Common Tools in Industry

1. Script Analysis Software. This software helps analyse scripts to identify areas of improvement and make recommendations. (e. g. Final Draft)
2. Audience Tracking Software. This software tracks audience demographics and engagement levels to help measure the success of a performance. (e. g. Audience Insights)
3. Social Media Management Software. This software helps manage social media accounts to build an audience and promote performances. (e. g. Hootsuite)
4. Professional Networking Platforms. These platforms allow theatre critics to connect with peers, industry professionals, and like-minded individuals. (e. g. LinkedIn)
5. Review Writing Software. This software helps compile reviews into a cohesive format and provides templates for writing reviews. (e. g. Wordpress)
6. Word Processing Software. This software helps create documents, edit text, and insert images into reviews. (e. g. Microsoft Word)

Professional Organizations to Know

1. American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
2. Theatre Communications Group (TCG)
3. League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW)
4. International Association of Theatre Critics (IATC)
5. National Critics Institute (NCI)
6. National Theatre Conference (NTC)
7. National Association for Theatre in Higher Education (NATHE)
8. Society of Professional Theatre Researchers (SPTR)
9. American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR)
10. Playwrights Guild of Canada (PGC)

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Common Important Terms

1. Audience. The people who attend a live performance, such as a theatre play or a concert.
2. Performance. A live event or activity, such as a play, dance, or concert.
3. Plot. The sequence of events in a play, novel, or other work of literature.
4. Character. A person, animal, or imaginary figure in a work of fiction.
5. Costume. Any clothing worn by characters in a performance.
6. Dialogue. The conversations between characters in a play or other work of fiction.
7. Set Design. The design and construction of the scenery and props used in a play or other performance.
8. Lighting Design. The design and use of artificial lighting to enhance the mood and atmosphere of a performance.
9. Direction. The art of guiding performers, creating the mood and atmosphere of a performance, and providing the necessary interpretation of the text.
10. Review. An evaluation or critique of a performance by a theatre critic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Theatre Critic? A1: A Theatre Critic is a journalist or writer who reviews performances of plays and other theatrical productions. They provide an evaluation of the production and offer insight into the quality of the performance, set design, costumes and script. Q2: What qualifications does a Theatre Critic need? A2: Theatre Critics typically need a university degree in journalism, communications, or theatre arts. They should have a comprehensive knowledge of theatre and theatre history, as well as the ability to write effectively and provide constructive criticism. Q3: How do Theatre Critics review performances? A3: Theatre Critics review performances by attending performances and taking detailed notes. They then use their notes to write reviews which are typically published in newspapers, magazines, or online. Q4: What impact do Theatre Critic reviews have? A4: Theatre Critic reviews can have a significant impact on the success of a production in terms of ticket sales and public opinion. Reviews often influence audience decisions and can be an important factor in determining the success or failure of a show. Q5: What is a Tony Award? A5: The Tony Award is an annual American theatre award given to recognize excellence in theatrical productions on Broadway. It is one of the most prestigious awards in theatre and is considered to be the highest honor for professional theatre actors, directors, designers, playwrights and producers.

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Web Resources

• Theatre Critics | Victoria Wiet - scholar.harvard.edu scholar.harvard.edu
• Theater critics | Archival and Manuscript Collections findingaids.library.northwestern.edu
• Theater | McMurry University - mcm.edu mcm.edu