What are the most effective strategies for building a successful career as a theatre critic?

See everything you can without having read anything about it. Get to know people who work in theater, actors, directors, playwrights, designers, managers, without an agenda beyond getting to know them as human beings.

Ser espía de todo tipo de situaciones y experiencias de vida, sin prejuicios, para no caer en la endogamia del arte (que se mira sólo a sí mismo). Se debe cuidar ese feedback, ese ida y vuelta con la realidad y el contexto. Y luego ir a las obras tratando siempre de mantenerse en observación activa, sin juzgar con los criterios políticamente correctos, para eso hay otras disciplinas... no el arte. Sin perder ese hilo que conecta obra y realidad (o fantasía, pero en conexión con la vida y las experiencias) empezar a criticar esa experiencia, la de ver la obra. Analizar todo lo que te paso, pensar, sentir, deconstruir. Y volver a armar para decir algo nuevo. Y honrar el trabajo artístico. Ir a ver muchas y todo tipo de obras.

I have no idea how to build a successful career as a theatre critic, but once you have one I advise you to be objective, well-informed, and, kind. Avoid the snark or the attention grabbing, ever-dimissive one liner. Frame opinions in first person ("For me, . . ." "I felt . . ." etc.). Ultimately we all respond to productions in unique ways, with many mitigating influences that determine and color our perspective. The person sitting next to you - the one without the power of the media backing them - may have had a completely different, also valid reaction.

Learn as much as possible about the history of theater, and understand theater's place and influence in our culture so you can offer social context as well as critique.

En primer lugar algunos puntos para introducirse el mundo del teatro: - Ir a ver obras y estar actualizada sobre lo que hay en el mercado teatral. - Leer diariamente obras de teatro, y artículos sobre dramaturgos y personalidades de la cultura de admires. - Trabajá con objetivos puntuales y cercanos.

Agreed. However, don't be fooled by pop culture as though it's the be all- end all. Think outside the box. Be you. But always be polite, speak slowly, and have the facts.

I agree with everything stated above, and I think it’s important to remember that along with watching and reviewing as much theatre as possible, seeking out varying forms of theatre keeps one’s mind working in overdrive. New work, immersive shows, improv sketches, traditional book musicals, contemporary revivals and more all tell stories that are important to hear, and therefore, important to review. Diversifying not only review style but your review material makes for a well rounded writer who is open to learning and experiencing new forms of storytelling and art.

It’s an old adage, but do your homework. Even if you are the main critic or a regular critic try to leave yourself out of it. Weigh the piece on its reason for being, its context, its production values, its run time, its producing company, its artistry, and make an argument for why an audience may or may not enjoy it, or why or may be for some and not for others. I’ve often found the most respected critics can make their voices echo on the page with enough resonance that the producing company can make a note of things for its production or future shows. Above all be fair, objective and write for YOUR readership.

One thing I found useful while reviewing the performances was watching them rehearsing the scenes, understanding the process which helped understanding their vision and projection towards achieving a certain moment. Although nowadays different varieties of play performances used to happen but the essence could be found in few only, so criticising them with the appropriate things and words is important which can enhance their work in the future.

Personally, I'd rather have character than a reputation . So much of pop culture is shall I say 'lacking' vulgar, common, vile, misogynistic, violent. If you're doing this for the money, it will show. In time. I pray America and the western world will reject foolishness and put forth a more authentic decency. But big money seems to rule, and this is what what we get.

The question is where do you fit in the community of theatre makers and in the community at large? Who are you serving and why. Get clear on this first and then make the friendships and relationships necessary to be of service. We need theatre in this world. But we need to shift our view from transactional to relational. How can a critic enhance our community, our society and our world? What - sincerely developed - relationships are necessary to do that?

Know and appreciate the past.By appreciate you may not like it but you should acknowledge it. Don't dismiss it as being irrelevant. The theatre is always evolving and you should as well. Be hopeful everytime you go to the theatre. Look for the good, look for the "why" of a production - why was it written? Why was it produced? Why would anyone go and see it? Look at the ticket price - is it worth the money? Often something was thoroughly enjoyable or rewarding but is it worth the often ridiculous ticket price? Look and understand the overall context of the production - who is for? The Audience? The Creative team's ego? Above all "think" before you write .

Yes. Very true. But always be you! Practice your craft. Live it, breath it, sleep it,become obsessed with it. However, you might find your self alone because of it. But you must pay your dues. Decisions, decisions.

Consider the fact that there is no one in the west end scene currently talking about this on this thread on LinkedIn. I would ask some of the very few regular paid Theatre Critics left how they did it.