Join critics, editors, producers, actors, directors, funders, and the theater community for Rethinking Theater Criticism, a conference set to occur Saturday, February 18, and Saturday, February 25, 2023. Theater journalism in Washington, D.C., is struggling with a trio of challenges common across the county, including reduced paid opportunities for critics, lack of a diverse critics corps, and a struggle to bring people back to the theater since the COVID closure. Help understand and envision the future of criticism during two days of discussions and workshops.
All events are free; advance registration is required for some sessions.
Rethinking Theater Criticism is produced by Day Eight with DC Theater Arts, Arena Stage, Shakespeare Theatre, Round House Theater, Signature Theatre, Mosaic Theater, Studio Theater, Gala Hispanic Theater, Studio Acting Conservatory, The DC Line, and DCTrending and through support from HumanitiesDC and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. The conference includes a day of virtual panel discussions Saturday, February 18, and a day of in-person events — including workshops, panels, a keynote session, and reception — Saturday, February 25.
Registration will be available soon for the three free Theater Criticism workshops to be taught by Peter Marks (Washington Post), Celia Wren (Washington Post), and Nicole Hertvik (DC Theater Arts) concurrently 10:30am to noon on the 25th.
Keynote speakers to address the conference on the 25th include Diep Tran (Playbill), Soyica Colbert (Shakespeare Theatre), Molly Smith (Arena Stage), Peter Marks (Washington Post), Nicole Hertvik (DC Theater Arts), and Reginald Douglas (Mosaic Theater).
Immediately prior to the keynote session the theater community is invited to a Community Roundtable with Theater Critics including Peter Marks (Washington Post), Celia Wren (Washington Post), Sarah Marloff (Washington City Paper), John Stoltenberg (DC Theater Arts), and Nicole Hertvik (DC Theater Arts.)
Panel discussions to occur include “The Role of Arts Journalism and Demands for White American Theater,” moderated by Soyica Colbert; “A Conversation with Theater Funders,” moderated by Robert Bettmann; and “New Models in Criticism,” moderated by Rob Weinert-Kendt, Editor-in-Chief of American Theatre Magazine.
View session descriptions, registration links, and bios of participating teachers and speakers on the conference home page soon – save the dates!
View details from past annual conferences on the webpage here.