There are two valid and accepted forms of Theatre Criticism. The first is the "Enlightened Audience Member" approach. This takes a person with a love of theatre, but little-to-no actual experience or bonds within it, and asks them to react as theatergoers would. They tend to comment more on the entertainment values of the show as a whole, and aim their comments to potential audience members.
The second is the "Theatre-Insider" approach. This takes a person with a certain amount of theatre experience in any or all aspects of theatre, and asks them to break down a production based on the individual performances, designs, and contributions, pointing out in specific detail the good and bad points of the mechanics of a piece of theatre. The critiques are more for the theatre community than the theatergoer. As long as these "theatre insiders" are fastidiously scrupulous about remaining objective, and always critiquing the performance, direction or design while never commenting on or showing a bias toward or against the performer, director or designer, then this approach will prove beneficial to the members of the theatre community.
With 20 years of experience in the theatre, as a playwright, dramaturg, actor, director, producer and stage manager, I am committed to helping theatre companies to create the best work they can. I hope to give advice and suggestions to the members of the theatre community, highlighting both the successful and unsuccessful aspects of productions. While these comments are aimed more for the members of the production, in exposing theatergoers to the inner workings of theatre, I hope to raise their level of sophistication and appreciation of theatre arts.
I am determined, both through my reviews and my contributions to the theatre community, to make sure that we grow and thrive. I believe in always giving your best, and in a free and open exchange of ideas and opinions. Just as I wish to give honest, fair and constructive critiques to those theatre companies I review, I always ask for honest, fair and constructive critiques of all my work, whether within the theatre, or as a reviewer for the community I serve.
Freelance Writer and Theatre Reviewer-at-Large
Goldfish Publishers, L.L.C.