A Boot Camp for Critics (but not everyone will be up for it!)

Calling all theater critics. If you haven't experiences the National Theater Critics Institute at the O'Neill Theater Center in Connecticut, you should. In fact, I think it should be required for any professional critic. I was a fellow in 2008 and I have never learned more through a professional development experience.

-- Lauren Yarger

The institute, held on beautiful waterfront grounds in Waterford, CT, is the nation’s foremost program designed for early and mid-career arts writers and critics to strengthen their skills. Helmed by Chris Jones, chief theater critic and Sunday culture columnist at the Chicago Tribune, the 2018 session will take place July 1-15.  Applicants may submit their materials for consideration through April 23. There is no fee to apply.

“This is now the only such major program in America that focuses on arts criticism and reporting, and the faculty and fellows are a formidable group. The achievements of our passionate alumni speak for themselves," Jones said.

The institute convenes concurrently with the O’Neill’s National Playwrights and Music Theater conferences. NCI is a two-week residential workshop which includes: writing workshops in the crafts of reviewing across disciplines and writing more exciting profiles in the field of arts and entertainment; insights into the critical process with a world-class faculty; explorations of the relationship of critics with social media; study of blogging best practices; off-site trips; and many opportunities to network with other critics and creative professionals.

For the second year, NCI will join with American Theatre and Theatre Communications Group’s Rising Leaders of Color to address the lack of diversity in the critical talent pool, and to create new opportunities to nurture and grow arts journalists to reflect the increasingly diverse work on US stages.

Application & additional information: http://www.theoneill.org/summer-conferences/nci.