A crash course in criticism

Send us Fan MailSummer camp for theatre critics, a community theatre showdown and our top 10 Colorado HeadlinersToni's back from two weeks at the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, where 14 working critics from around the country spent every day seeing shows, writing overnight reviews and having their work critiqued by peers and program director Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune. He shares what he learned about writing leaner reviews, leading with a clear opinion, staying "on the side of the art" and why the future of arts journalism looks a lot like what we're building here at OnStage Colorado.Plus, Alex talks with Shane DeLavan, board president of the Colorado Community Theater Coalition, about the Colorado Theatre Festival coming to the Historic Elitch Theatre in Denver Aug. 14-16 — how adjudication works, why this cycle year could send two companies to regionals and how to attend or compete. Details at cctcfestival.org.And as always: the best things we've seen lately, our top 10 Colorado headliners and a preview of our theatre road trip to Creede.Chapters00:00 – Welcome and episode preview01:26 – Best things we've seen: 'Shakespeare in Love' at CSF, 'Sinners' at Red Rocks, plus review crew reports from Aspen, Breckenridge and Central City Opera06:04 – Main topic: Inside the National Critics Institute — daily reviews, peer critiques and the three audiences every critic writes for14:09 – "On the side of the art": cheerleaders, haters and how to assign blame (hint: it's usually the director)25:02 – First time in a newsroom, plus lessons from film, food and dance critics30:58 – The state of arts journalism and why local platforms are the answer36:59 – Interview: Shane Delavan on the CCTC's Colorado Theatre Festival, Aug. 14-16 at the Historic Elitch Theatre59:22 – Top 10 headliners: 'Around the World in 80 Days' (Buntport), 'Grease' (Theatre Aspen), 'The Yeomen of the Guard' (Empire Lyric Players), 'Henry V' (Telluride Theatre), 'Dames at Sea' (Butte Theater), 'Honky Tonk Angels' (Little Theatre of the Rockies), 'Matilda' (Candlelight), 'The Witch' (BETC), Thingamajig Theatre's summer season and 'Dear Jack, Dear Louise' (Vintage Theatre)1:11:12 – Upcoming reviews and our Creede road trip, July 17-191:14:45 – Offstage: 'Bridesmaids' at Red Rocks, Nolan's 'The Odyssey,' 'Silo' season 4 and 'The Invite'Subscribe to the OnStage Colorado Weekly Blast newsletter at onstagecolorado.com for reviews, news and detailed calendar listings every Thursday.