Best of Weekly Howl on Social Media and Criticism

This afternoon Washington Post theater critic, Peter Marks (@petermarksdrama), co-hosted our conversation about social media's impact on arts criticism. These are just a few highlights from our hour-long twitter conversation on #newplay:

@HowlRound find that interaction has made me less defensive, feel less isolated in opinion formulation. Dont worry as much abt pov #newplay — Peter Marks (@petermarksdrama) April 3, 2012

@HowlRound the dearth of rigorous criticism predates social media. #newplay — Tony Adams (@halcyontony) April 3, 2012

@petermarksdrama @HowlRound @playwrightsteve feels like it allows for quick and responsive commentray, not always thoughtful #newplay — Polly Carl (@Pollykcarl) April 3, 2012

@gkershner If you view soc med as 1-way, just shouting at, it's pretty one-dimensional. Beauty is in what you hear,receive on here #newplay — Peter Marks (@petermarksdrama) April 3, 2012

@michaeldove ashamed to say I relied far too much on pr contacts to know what's going on. Twitter grants me access to wide chorus #newplay — Peter Marks (@petermarksdrama) April 3, 2012

@petermarksdrama What work have you had access to that perhaps you would not have because of social media, sans pr contacts? #newplay — Geoffrey Kershner (@gkershner) April 3, 2012@Pollykcarl It's like having a 1,000 channels of theater ppl on radio, hearing what matters to them. Can't help but influence me. #newplay — Peter Marks (@petermarksdrama) April 3, 2012

It's like having a 1,000 channels of theater ppl on radio, hearing what matters to them. Can't help but influence me.

#newplay: I'm delighted at "new relationship" between critic & theater-makers. But relationship w/readers & w/plays more important — Jonathan Mandell (@NewYorkTheater) April 3, 2012

@jfdubiner Absolutely. ur roles become clearer, your various "missions" (ugh) too! I have to step back when I write, but it informs #newplay — Peter Marks (@petermarksdrama) April 3, 2012

@petermarksdrama Creating a context for the work and what it is engaging. "I liked this" or "I didn't like this" doesn't cut it. #newplay — Dan Rogers (@doctorogres) April 3, 2012@MichaelAvolio Love is many splendored thing. If I love show, I want others to c. If time permits, write more 2. Twitter helps that #newplay — Peter Marks (@petermarksdrama) April 3, 2012@petermarksdrama @jamiegahlon interesting, the "I" actually makes it more powerful for me..personal means more than universal #newplay — Polly Carl (@Pollykcarl) April 3, 2012@doctorogres Agree. As space in print dwindles, contxt gets shorter shrift Also reader A.D.D. That's y long-form needs preservation #newplay — Peter Marks (@petermarksdrama) April 3, 2012

#newplay I fear social media-inspired relationships will make critics more focused on theater-makers at expense of theatergoers. — Jonathan Mandell (@NewYorkTheater) April 3, 2012@Pollykcarl Yeah, stars are undoubtedly reductive. & imply apples-to-apples comparisons of diff kinds of theater, even. #newplay — Kris Vire (@krisvire) April 3, 2012

@travisbedard @NewYorkTheater I think that’s great paradox for critics. Assessing art via own aesthetic & being consumer reporter. #newplay — Howard Sherman (@HESherman) April 3, 2012

@petermarksdrama @HowlRound i hear you, but something really hit me in your chat w @ddower: RE not your job to sell tix for shows #newplay — Jason King Jones (@jkjplays) April 3, 2012

@petermarksdrama I like reading the same critic regularly: find one to read who's reliably smart & get to know their preferences #newplay — Michael Avolio (@MichaelAvolio) April 3, 2012

@petermarksdrama @HowlRound @krisvire yeah this question of amateur versus expert is throwing all creative endeavors up for grabs #newplay — Polly Carl (@Pollykcarl) April 3, 2012