NEA Arts Journalism Institute for Theater and Musical Theater

"First-rate arts criticism helps strengthen cultural institutions and the communities they serve," said Geoffrey Cowan, former dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and an award-winning playwright. "NEA’s support of this unique program will make it possible for the USC Annenberg School to enrich the perspective that critics in every part of the country bring to their coverage of classical and modern theater."

The NEA Arts Journalism Institute for Theater and Musical Theater features a rigorous schedule of interactive instruction integrated in four modules. The Theater Arts segment includes journalism training and formal instruction in the basic elements of dramatic production, including the history of theater; hands-on experience in writing, directing, acting, set design, lighting and costume design; and analytical readings of reviews by influential theater critics. This section also provides insight into theater policy and business practices, including public relations, budgeting, and marketing. The Journalism Skills module provides instruction in the basic skills required to produce thoughtful, intelligent theater reviews, including research, critical writing, interviewing, and narrative writing. This is combined with professional critiques of reviews written by participants during the institute.

Annenberg Institute for Justice and Journalism senior fellow Victor Merina leads a writing class. Photo courtesy of the USC Annenberg School for Communication.

In the Expert Dialogue portion, participants take part in informal discussions with leading professionals and faculty members. A Performance module includes "behind-the-scenes" experience of theater productions, including backstage observation, rehearsal attendance, and interviews with key members of the theatrical companies. Participants attend productions of plays, sometimes seeing the same one more than once, and write a review on deadline that is critiqued by leading professionals from the Los Angeles print and broadcast media.

"Theater helps define American cultural life," said Michael Parks, director of USC Annenberg’s School of Journalism and former editor of the Los Angeles Times. "Better informed and trained theater critics will offer audiences beyond our largest urban centers more exciting choices for cultural participation and appreciation."

Faculty and speakers at previous institutes include Robert Brustein, Founding Director & Creative Consultant of American Repertory Theater; Gordon Davidson, Artistic Director of Center Theatre Group; Thomas Leabhart, Resident Artist and Professor of Theatre at Pomona College; Madeline Puzo, Dean, USC School of Theatre; Steven Leigh Morris, Theater Editor of the LA Weekly, and Jack Viertel, former Chief Theater Critic for the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner and currently Creative Director of Jujamcyn Theaters.

2008 Institute for Theater and Musical Theater: February 5 - February 15, 2008

National Endowment for the Arts · an independent federal agency
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