Critical Review Writing Workshop

Critical Review Writing Workshop
30 April – 21 May 2011 (4 sessions)
Sessions: Saturday 30 April and 7, 14 and 21 May, 10am – 12:30pm
The Substation Classroom 2
Instructors: Matthew Lyon and Kenneth Kwok
Course Fee: $120
Admission: For more information about this course, or to register, contact Mish’aal 6337 7800 / registration@substation.org

A performance is staged. But after the curtain falls, what remains?

This course is an opportunity for you to learn about the art of theatre criticism and will include many hands-on activities to deepen your learning experience. The course will help you to develop your critical faculties for watching theatre as well as better articulate your opinions when discussing a show.

Arts’ writing plays a vital role in the growth of any arts community because it serves as a formal record of performances. In some cases, the number of people who read about a performance may exceed the number who actually saw the performance itself. Arts’ writing is also an opportunity for practitioners and audiences to receive considered and informed feedback about a work.

Sessions are facilitated by the editors of online arts journal, The Flying Inkpot Theatre and Dance. The Inkpot has amassed over 800 theatre and dance reviews in its archives since it was launched in 1996 and the editors have conducted arts writing workshops for institutions such as The National Arts Council, and various learning institutions.

Course Breakdown:

Session 1
The Evolution of Critical Writing about Theatre in Singapore
Key features of a theatre review: Understanding purpose, audience, components of theatre, and components of a theatre review, different writing styles
Critical analysis of sample professional reviews

Session 2
Context: The History of Theatre in Singapore
Group analysis of a set text and video clip of performance
Critical analysis of sample professional reviews

Session 3
Critical analysis of participants’ writing
Conversation with the director / playwright / cast of Cake’s Substation production

Session 4
Dialogue about Cake’s Substation production
Critical analysis of participants’ writing
Critical analysis of sample professional reviews