Wednesday, October 09, 2013
A Shrinking Landscape: Theater Criticism in Chicago Then and Now
HowlRound: The tension—healthy or unhealthy—that has always existed between the artist and the critic is no secret. Having one’s creation judged by someone whose role seems to be to dictate the value of said work is a naturally touchy endeavor. Egos flare, defiant stances are taken, fingers point, and artists either breathe sighs of relief or look ahead to the task of rebuilding. Given the personal stakes at play here, it is no surprise that artists tend to view critics with trepidation and suspicion, if not outright disdain. - See more at: http://www.howlround.com/a-shrinking-landscape-theater-criticism-in-chicago-then-and-now#sthash.rKk3UffE.dpuf
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2 comments:
I'm really glad I read this article- I never even thought about the roles of critics in the publicity and legitimacy of small theatre companies. I always thought of critics as people who just wrote their well-informed opinions about big shows. I now have a great respect for those who managed to cover all of the shows in Chicago and made it possible for small companies to become respected. In my opinion, one of the essential points of this article is that these critics were so necessary because they treated young companies with just as much respect as they gave to big, traditional companies. This is how we keep art fresh and important- by supporting those who bring new perspectives. I hope the decline of critics does not cause the loss of this important facet of American theatre.
It had never really occurred to me how important artistic criticism is, not just so that the artist can improve, but so that they can expand and get bigger audiences. Critics in popular culture sometimes are portrayed as heartless and disparaging, but if done correctly and thoughtfully, criticism can make a huge difference. It's also really essential to have critics like Christiansen that are willing to go see any theatre, no matter the place and no matter how small. It's those non-traditional, experimental shows that make things interesting and can even change our culture, and the critics that help to present them.
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