From: "Hunter, Kurt" <KHunter-AT-siemens-psc.com>
Subject: PUPT: Critique (was Striding toward the Millenium)
Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 11:21:08 -0500



I'm also a strong believer in the value of critique panels at festivals, but
they fell out of favor for the reasons that David described.  As artistic
director for the 1994 mini-national puppetry festival that we had in St.
Paul, Minnesota, I made a point to organize critique sessions.

The performers could choose whether or not to have their performances
critiqued and some did choose not to.  Actually, I think the main reason
some chose not to be critiqued was the horror stories they'd heard about
critique sessions at other festivals.

Our panel was made up of R.D. and Nikki Tilroe and George Latshaw.  They all
offered a very kind and constructive approach to the critique.  George is my
hero of the critique session, though.  He has a way of making people feel
good about what they're doing well and getting them excited about what they
can improve.  We had performers leaving the festival really excited about
making improvements to their shows.  Now that's what a critique session
should be.

Kurt Hunter

		-----Original Message-----
		From:	David A. Syrotiak [mailto:nmt-AT-sover.net]
		Sent:	Monday, June 21, 1999 8:59 PM
		To:	puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
		Subject:	Re: PUPT: Striding toward the Millenium..

		Don't mean to get off the 'thread' but picking up on what
Steve has just
		said do any of you remember years ago when there used to be
a critique panel
		at some of the regional and national festivals?  Various
companies could
		elect to have their performances critiqued the day following
their
		performance.  The idea was good and, in some instances, was
a great learning
		tool on how to look at and evaluate a performance for all of
us.
		Unfortunately some of the panel members really abused their
'position' in
		puppetry to be mean, cruel, vindictive and malicious.  My
favorite
		devastating comment by one of the 'names' serving on the
panel with me was,
		"Go out to your back yard and burn the show immediately".
OUCH!  Needless
		to say this S&M session died a natural death.  However,
while on several of
		these open panel critiques I had the pleasure of watching
Margo Rose in
		action.  What a gracious lady she was.  From her I learned
how to give an
		honest critique.  First, always say that, "This is only MY
opinion" as
		opposed to 'this is how everyone who saw the performance
feels about it'.
		Always point up the good aspects of the performance.  Even
in a terrible
		show there are always a few good moments (no, I don't mean
when the curtain
		closed at the end).  Concerning aspects of the performance
that 'you feel'
		should be changed - never leave the poor artist bleeding to
death - always
		be sure to give two or three alternate suggestions of what
might be done to
		make changes for the better.  Yes, everyone loves to hear
positive comments
		about their show but, aside from feeding the ego, does
nothing to improve
		their production.  It's an art to give an honest,
constructive critique and,
		if any of you are asked by colleagues what you thought of
their show please
		remember the above.



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