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Criticism

Here, you’ll find content about the art and practice of theatre criticism. Many pieces grapple with questions of how to diversify the field, making it more accessible for young people, queer folx, and critics of color. This section also contains all the pieces of criticism in the Journal, which we call “NewCrits.” NewCrits analyze productions and go beyond “thumbs up, thumbs down” reviews, placing the work(s) in question in a larger, broader context—whether that’s the context of the time or place it’s done in, the artists’ body of work, or its genre. Are you interested in writing a NewCrit? Check out our guidelines and best practices!

The Latest

Essay
Black Survival and Cyclical Fate in Hang Time
by Ciaran Short
4 June 2026
Essay
On a Theatrical Pilgrimage to See Carolina Bianchi and Cara de Cavalo's Chapter II: The Brotherhood
by Amanda L. Andrei
6 April 2026
Essay
How The Last Country Amplifies Stories of Immigration and Belonging in South Africa
by Tonderai Chiyindiko
4 February 2026
Essay
2 December 2015

Patricia Davis on the world premiere production of Audrey Cefaly’s Maytag Virgin at Quotidien Theatre in Washington, DC.

Essay

A Living Cubist Portrait of John Henry

1 December 2015

David Dudley reflects on Steel Hammer and the John Henry myth, at the Krannert Center in Urbana, Illinois.

Essay
27 November 2015

David Bruin on Teatro Patologico’s production of Medea at La Mama in New York City. 

Essay

Toilet Fire and the Merits of Unserious Theatre

24 November 2015

Brett Aresco on Eliza Bent’s ode to poop, Toilet Fire, in New York City.

Essay
20 November 2015

Critic Fabiana Cabral advocates the need for more accessible training for writing theatre criticism.

Essay
19 November 2015

Jeff Chang on Detroit-based Complex Movements’ Beware of the Dandelions, a narrative, concert, visual installation, architectural piece, and convening space to distribute revolutionary ideas and activate creative ecosystems and economies of change. 

Essay
15 November 2015

Jonathan Mandell reflects on a recent experience at a Grateful Dead concert, and asks if theatres can adopt some similar strategies for audience engagement.

Essay

A Weekend in the Emerald City

10 November 2015

Holly L. Derr on Destiny of Desire by Karen Zacarías, Animal by Claire Lizzimore, Queens Girl in the World by Caleen Sinette Jennings, Women Laughing Alone with Salad by Sheila Callaghan, and Uprising by Gabrielle Fulton, all part of the Women’s Voices Theater Festival in Washington, DC.

Essay

Hamilton, Perfect Arrangement, Who’s Your Baghdaddy? and More

5 November 2015

Jonathan Mandell explores how several recent works on New York Stages portray history and the questions they raise. 

Essay
3 November 2015

Effy Redman on Love, Sex, and Death in the Amazon by Robert Murphy, the inaugural production of Collider Theater Company, in New York City.

Essay
1 November 2015

Steve Lyons redefines a good theatre review as one that helps readers determine if a play is one they’d be interested in attending. 

Essay
29 October 2015

Donald Sanborn on the evolution of Gigi from novella to film, film to stage, and stage and to stage once more.

Essay

HerSelf Rises (And We Are Lifted)

27 October 2015

Steele Campbell on HerSelf Rising by Girls on Trapeze at Sideshow Fringe Festival in Nashville, Tennessee.

Essay

Fun Home’s Growing Pains

22 October 2015

Manuel Betancourt on the development journey of Tony-winning Broadway musical Fun Home by Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori.

Essay

The Understated Inclusivity of The Golden Drum Year

20 October 2015

Brett Aresco on Radical Evolution’s production of The Golden Drum Year by Beto O’Byrne.

Essay
15 October 2015

Patricia Davis interviews Ron Menzel, an actor in Studio Theatre's production of Lucy Kirkwood’s Chimerica in Washington, DC.

Essay
13 October 2015

Marcina Zaccaria on the 72nd Annual Venice Film Festival and the intersection of theatre and film acting.

Essay
8 October 2015

Martha Steketee explores the lens and artistry of Jody Christopherson in “Necessary Exposure The Female Playwright Project: Portraits of Playwrights Who Identify as Female” in New York City.

Essay

A Moon for the Misbegotten at Williamstown

6 October 2015

Michael Lueger on Gordon Edelstein’s production of A Moon for the Misbegotten at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts.

Essay

A Reconsideration of the Hopeless Landscapes of Samuel Beckett

20 September 2015

Mackenzie Ward considers a more hopeful interpretation of the hopeless landscapes of Samuel Beckett.

Essay

Outliers and Oddities

17 September 2015

Susan W. Kemp on The Moisture Festival in Seattle, Washington.

Essay

An Avant-Garde for the Undocumented

15 September 2015

Christopher Goodson on Rose Cano’s adaptation, Don Quixote: Homeless in Seattle, produced by eSe Teatro in Seattle, Washington.

Essay

A Requiem

11 September 2015

Neal Reynolds on American Theatre Company’s Youth Ensemble production of Greensboro: A Requiem by Emily Mann in Chicago, Illinois.

Essay

An Interview with Andy Field of Forest Fringe

10 September 2015

Patrick Gaughan interviews Andy Field, co-director of Forest Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

Essay

Latinx Theatre Commons’ Carnaval 2015

8 September 2015

Tiffany Ana López on the LTC’s Carnaval of New Latina/o Work hosted by the Theatre School at DePaul University July 23-25, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois.

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