Everyone's a Critic (And You Can Be Too)

Arts criticism is changing rapidly, and the internet has created more opportunities for people to get involved in the field, but success means more than just posting an opinion. Theater critic Lauren Yarger will run a five-week Everyone’s a Critic theater reviewing workshop at the Storyteller’s Cottage on Thursdays, starting January 30, from 6:00-8:00 pm. The class will also attend a performance of Pride & Prejudice at Playhouse on Park on February 20. Spots in the class can be reserved for $180 (which includes admission to Pride & Prejudice) at https://www.storytellerscottage.com/bookings-checkout/everyone-s-a-critic-theater-reviewing

Everyone’s a Critic will focus on theater reviewing, but the principles of critical writing apply to film, dance, books, etc. The workshop will include basic instruction for reviewing, group critique of written work (done outside the class), and a field trip to a local professional theater production so students can put what they’ve learned into action. Students will learn how to turn their love for the arts into a fun side gig or career path.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
As a theater critic, Lauren Yarger is a member of the Outer Critics Circle and the American Theatre Critics Association. She previously served as vice president and voting member of the Drama Desk. Yarger is a co-founder of the League of Professional Theater Women’s Connecticut Chapter. In New York, she reviews for Reflections in the Light and for BroadwayWorld. In Connecticut, she edits the award-winning site, CT Arts Connection. She previously served as a theater critic for the Manchester Journal-Inquirer, as Connecticut theater editor for CurtainUp.com, and as Connecticut and New York reviewer for American Theater Web.

As a writer and producer, she is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America and has written, directed, and produced numerous shows and special events. She is also a partner in Major Chord Productions, which is developing two musicals for touring, and is the owner of Gracewell Productions LLC. Yarger trained for three years in the Broadway League’s Producer Development Program, completed the Commercial Theater Institute’s Producing Three-Day intensive, and other training, and was a fellow at the O’Neill Theater Center’s National Critics Institute. She also reviews books for Publishers Weekly and is a member of the National Book Critics Circle.

The Storyteller’s Cottage is located in a vintage Victorian house in the center of historic Simsbury, CT, and hosts all manner of immersive literary events throughout the year, including Agatha Christie inspired live murder mystery parties, Great Gatsby themed Jazz Supper Clubs, fascinating close-up illusions at Fine Parlor Magic nights, a Literary Dinner Party series on select evenings at midnight, and more.

The Storyteller's Cottage is located at 750 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. Parking for The Storyteller's Cottage is free, and is available on the street in front of the building, and in the Fiddler's Green parking lot on Wilcox Street (behind the house). For more information, please call 860-877-6099 or visit www.StorytellersCottage.com.