One of my favorite things about writing theater criticism is the opportunity to get to know and get involved with the Bay Area’s phenomenally creative and adventurous theater makers. The number of local companies doing thoughtful and often innovative work is remarkable. Shortly after I started reviewing for the Bay Area Reporter, I met with Patrick Dooley, founder and artistic director of Shotgun Players in Berkeley. We had a great conversation about public engagement with the arts. And the seeds of a new program were planted.
Next Wednesday (9/19) after the 7:30 p.m. performance of Kiss, I’ll be participating in the first in a series of Back Talk programs. At each Back Talk—which will be held toward the end of a show’s run—Shotgun will host a local critic for a post-performance discussion of the production in light of an already published review. (During the upcoming run of Women Laughing Alone With Salad, Shotgun will host Lily Janiak of the San Francisco Chronicle).
As Patrick and I discussed that day in late spring, ongoing dialogue between artists, critics and audiences is an essential part of civic discourse. Even when we disagree, the ability to acknowledge and appreciate one another’s perspectives can be both restorative and constructive. It so happens that I strongly disliked Kiss, the show I’ll be watching again and then discussing next week. As the flyer I’ve included below makes clear, there were plenty of other critics who enjoyed it.
True story: I was in the midst of writing my review when Patrick emailed to invite me to help kick off this series. I told him that while I’d be happy to participate, he might want to schedule me in conjunction with a different production. “I am writing a strongly negative review,” I emailed him, “I think your colleagues may be very angry at me.”
That my warning didn’t lead to a moment’s hesitation on Patrick’s part made me all the happier to be involved with this project. In the end, when artists, critics and audiences pursue their individual roles in good faith, they end up playing a more essential collective role: Engaged participants in our community and society.
Please join us.
