Edited by Caitlin Gowans The hype around #Canada150 has seemingly come and gone and like many others, I spent Canada Day in reflection. On this occasion there was an outpouring of ‘think pieces’ from white individuals, myself included, stating their discomfort or feelings of awkwardness in regards to celebrating Canada Day this year because of … Continue reading New Criticism & Writing From a Place of Privilege
The End? of Art
This Dark Day Monday I’d like to lean back into a more theoretical query: what is the end of theatre? I’m being deliberately vague (not to mention pretentious) about this question, because it lets me explore a few boring assumptions about theatre in an interesting way. This question has two distinct meanings that I’d like to … Continue reading The End? of Art
The Critic is Dead (Long Live The Critic)
The critics panel last week at undercurrents Festival had some interesting discussion about the future of arts journalism. I am going to take this opportunity to further flesh out some of the emerging trends that were discussed at the conclusion of the panel. Principally, I want to talk about our long-form brand of criticism, … Continue reading The Critic is Dead (Long Live The Critic)
Scarcity Culture (or Attitudes for Making Art)
Scarcity culture is the persistent systemic feeling that there’s not enough of something to go around. In theatre, that usually means one of two things. In the first place, usually from the mouths of artists: there isn’t enough audience for their work. In the second place, usually from the mouths of people who consume art: … Continue reading Scarcity Culture (or Attitudes for Making Art)
Criticism Begins with Because
In a recent article in Exeunt magazine, three theatre critics engage in a long, and poignant discussion about the nature and role of criticality in the theatre and the world at large. I won’t expound upon it, but it is distinctly worth reading here. Instead, I would like to focus on expanding on one point … Continue reading Criticism Begins with Because
The Separation of Art and Critic
Confession time: I am writing a play. I hope you come see it at the Fringe this summer. Now that that’s out of the way, I want to address a common misconception about theatre critics and criticism. Namely, that critics speak objectively about the art they critique. Wrapped up with this idea are all … Continue reading The Separation of Art and Critic
The New Ottawa Critics 