[NEohioPAL]Reviewing College Theatre

[Christopher Fortunato]

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I assume that most professional reviewers like Tony Brown, Christine Howey, Keith Joseph and others have reviewed plays and musicals produced under the auspices of a university like Porthouse at Kent State rather than Kent State University's Drama Department productions.
   
  College students should welcome reviews by professional critics either at a summer program like Porthouse or a departmental production if only to gain input from an outside source.  So long as a critique is constructive, I cannot see how a college student would receive a bad experience even if the production was one that went out on a limb.  
   
  From what I have read from our usual critics, they seem to appreciate avant garde, out on a limb attempts.

Ansley Valentine <avalentine at wooster.edu> wrote:
  I think there is a difference between student shows produced BY a college and those that take place AT a college. The examples you use are essentially professional productions being produced AT the College facility. Although they probably involve students, these productions are less purely educational and intended to be more community-based or professional (whatever that means). For example, BOOTH involves a number of professional New York actors. 

As an educator, I have always had mixed emotions about critical reviews of theatre departmental productions. Of course, the review is part of the professional "real world," but would an emerging talent be served by being publicly reviewed, persumably held to a high professional standard? There was a time when I was a student and I wanted to read those "kudos" in the newspaper. But after being in the public eye for a number of years, I went back to graduate school. I welcomed the opportunity to explore, risk, AND fail, outside the scrutiny of the professional press. If I knew I was going to reviewed by a paper like the Plain Dealer, I might have been more reluctant to go out on a limb and truly develop my talent. 

Having said that, I think it is wholely suitable for papers to do previews or other feature articles about college productions. I agree that some of the most interesting work happens on a college campus. They often have resources to do plays that might be out of reach for most groups--either because of money, audience, cast size, or subject matter. The public should know about the wonderful work happening in Northeast Ohio. Many college productions only run one weekend. A review might come out after the fact, and have little impact on audience attendance. As someone who sees five to ten college productions each semester, I know that there are things well worth seeing. However, a review may not be the best way of getting the word out. But when the art is of merit, our area theatre writers should find a way to feature the work.

In one last note, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that there are even some area high school productions that are truly exceptional--and often only the parents and grandparents know.

Ansley Valentine
Ohio State Director, KCACTF Region III
Associate Professor
Department of Theatre & Dance
Film Studies Program Chair
The College of Wooster
1189 Beall Avenue
Wooster, OH 44691
330-263-2028 Office
330-347-1519 Cell Phone
330-263-2690 Fax
>>> "Robert Lewis" 06/21/07 3:10 PM >>>
A few weeks ago, WCLV's broadcast included interviews with local
Cleveland theatre critics. During the broadcast, the subject of college
theatre came up and most critics stated that "they do not cover college
productions".

Based upon the number of reviews I've seen on the neohiopal site, covering
productions at Lakeland, and CSU (see below), I would say that
the statement above is obviously not true. Some of the best acted
and directed productions I've seen in Cleveland were presented by college
theatre departments and they should be frequented by the theatre-going
public and the critics as much as possible. Also, the admission price to
these plays are much less expensive than their "profession" counterparts,
so basically, one gets a bigger bang for your buck.

Its evident that the critics *choose* to review certain colleges and not
others. Why? There could be many answers but it really comes down to the
fact that Cleveland theatre is very political and like politicians, the
critics say one thing, but mean another.



BOOTH by Austin Pendleton, the story within the story of the famous family
made infamous by the 1865 assassination of Abraham Lincoln, opens this
weekend at the CSU Repertory Theatre on East 24th Street between Chester and
Payne Avenues.

Featuring stars full of "innocence and desire", directed with "unfettered
glee", and a "no holds-barred performance [by Everett Quinton] that must be
seen to be believed"* (Plain* *Dealer)* the show reflects "precisely the
kind of bright future that the promising CSU summer project will... build on
*." (Free Times)*

____________________________________
Cain Park presents OLIVER! June 21 - July 8. Tickets: 216-371-3000
_____________________________________
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<div>I assume that most professional reviewers like Tony Brown, Christine Howey, Keith Joseph and others have reviewed plays and musicals produced under the auspices of a university like Porthouse at Kent State rather than Kent State University's Drama Department productions.</div>  <div> </div>  <div>College students should welcome reviews by professional critics either at a summer program like Porthouse or a departmental production if only to gain input from an outside source.  So long as a critique is constructive, I cannot see how a college student would receive a bad experience even if the production was one that went out on a limb.  </div>  <div> </div>  <div>From what I have read from our usual critics, they seem to appreciate avant garde, out on a limb attempts.<BR><BR><B><I>Ansley Valentine <avalentine at wooster.edu></I></B> wrote:</div>  <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">I
 think there is a difference between student shows produced BY a college and those that take place AT a college. The examples you use are essentially professional productions being produced AT the College facility. Although they probably involve students, these productions are less purely educational and intended to be more community-based or professional (whatever that means). For example, BOOTH involves a number of professional New York actors. <BR><BR>As an educator, I have always had mixed emotions about critical reviews of theatre departmental productions. Of course, the review is part of the professional "real world," but would an emerging talent be served by being publicly reviewed, persumably held to a high professional standard? There was a time when I was a student and I wanted to read those "kudos" in the newspaper. But after being in the public eye for a number of years, I went back to graduate school. I welcomed the opportunity to explore, risk, AND fail,
 outside the scrutiny of the professional press. If I knew I was going to reviewed by a paper like the Plain Dealer, I might have been more reluctant to go out on a limb and truly develop my talent. <BR><BR>Having said that, I think it is wholely suitable for papers to do previews or other feature articles about college productions. I agree that some of the most interesting work happens on a college campus. They often have resources to do plays that might be out of reach for most groups--either because of money, audience, cast size, or subject matter. The public should know about the wonderful work happening in Northeast Ohio. Many college productions only run one weekend. A review might come out after the fact, and have little impact on audience attendance. As someone who sees five to ten college productions each semester, I know that there are things well worth seeing. However, a review may not be the best way of getting the word out. But when the art is of merit, our
 area theatre writers should find a way to feature the work.<BR><BR>In one last note, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that there are even some area high school productions that are truly exceptional--and often only the parents and grandparents know.<BR><BR>Ansley Valentine<BR>Ohio State Director, KCACTF Region III<BR>Associate Professor<BR>Department of Theatre & Dance<BR>Film Studies Program Chair<BR>The College of Wooster<BR>1189 Beall Avenue<BR>Wooster, OH 44691<BR>330-263-2028 Office<BR>330-347-1519 Cell Phone<BR>330-263-2690 Fax<BR>>>> "Robert Lewis" <ROBLEWED at GMAIL.COM>06/21/07 3:10 PM >>><BR>A few weeks ago, WCLV's broadcast included interviews with local<BR>Cleveland theatre critics. During the broadcast, the subject of college<BR>theatre came up and most critics stated that "they do not cover college<BR>productions".<BR><BR>Based upon the number of reviews I've seen on the neohiopal site, covering<BR>productions at Lakeland, and CSU (see
 below), I would say that<BR>the statement above is obviously not true. Some of the best acted<BR>and directed productions I've seen in Cleveland were presented by college<BR>theatre departments and they should be frequented by the theatre-going<BR>public and the critics as much as possible. Also, the admission price to<BR>these plays are much less expensive than their "profession" counterparts,<BR>so basically, one gets a bigger bang for your buck.<BR><BR>Its evident that the critics *choose* to review certain colleges and not<BR>others. Why? There could be many answers but it really comes down to the<BR>fact that Cleveland theatre is very political and like politicians, the<BR>critics say one thing, but mean another.<BR><BR><BR><BR>BOOTH by Austin Pendleton, the story within the story of the famous family<BR>made infamous by the 1865 assassination of Abraham Lincoln, opens this<BR>weekend at the CSU Repertory Theatre on East 24th Street between Chester and<BR>Payne
 Avenues.<BR><BR>Featuring stars full of "innocence and desire", directed with "unfettered<BR>glee", and a "no holds-barred performance [by Everett Quinton] that must be<BR>seen to be believed"* (Plain* *Dealer)* the show reflects "precisely the<BR>kind of bright future that the promising CSU summer project will... build on<BR>*." (Free Times)*<BR><BR>____________________________________<BR>Cain Park presents OLIVER! June 21 - July 8. Tickets: 216-371-3000<BR>_____________________________________<BR>Support Neohiopal - learn how here: http://www.fredsternfeld.com/neohiopal.htm#support<BR>______________________________________<BR>Neohiopal is SELF-SERVE. If you need to unsubscribe, change from digest to one-at-a-time delivery or vice-versa, go on hiatus while out of town, switch from mime to plain text or vice-versa, etc. check out the FAQS at http://www.fredsternfeld.com.<BR>_______________________________________<BR>Disclaimer: The facts and/or opinions expressed in this
 message are solely those of the person in the "from" or "reply-to" header. The fact that this message is posted should in no way be taken as an endorsement by the administrator of this list. Subscribers should perform due diligence for all goods, services and activities promoted on NEohioPAL.<BR><BR>NEohioPAL mailing list<BR>NEohioPAL at lists.fredsternfeld.com<BR>http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal<BR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><p> 
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