Being involved in the Institute for Theatre Journalism & Advocacy here at the Kennedy Center has turned out to be (though not a bad thing) quite different than what I expected, and the atmosphere has taken a unique shape. Given the Institute's emphasis on criticism as an art form, it's almost mystical or Meyerholdian when considered how the sessions take shape from the outside: The critics, all tucked into a small room at the end of the hall in the back of the back of the back of a theatrical building; glasses perched at the bridge of noses, eyes narrowed as forty fingers bludgeon keyboards relentlessly. Sages of the generations past visit the young artists to share their wisdom as part of an even grander festival celebrating the Arts while shaping and molding the future. Aristotle would be proud.
Joining the aspiring journalists during the day are Bob Mondello of NPR and Chris Klimek of the Washington Post. Mondello shares his wisdom in the field of radio-delivered criticism by offering tricks of the trade and encouraging each of us to venture out and join our local radio stations because they are "in dire need of critics . . . and they want the youth". Klimek offered to read our reviews of Laugh and gave constructive criticism to help us better revise our columns. After a hasty dinner and spectacular performance of Man of La Mancha, we were (albeit exhausted) to bed to await another day.
No comments:
Post a Comment