Citizens’ Reviews is a critical writing platform by Centre 42 for anyone who is curious to learn how to document their opinions, thoughts; and pen their perspectives on the performances and productions they had just watched. An open call is conducted annually, inviting up-and-coming theatre critics to participate and use the opportunity to hone their craft, and join a growing community of fellow reviewers.
Each year, selected Citizen Reviewers will:
- Be given tickets to attend a wide range of local theatre productions of their choice
- Write and submit reviews for editing and feedback
- Participate in monthly meet-ups with the editor and fellow Citizen Reviewers to discuss a range of topics related to the local theatre landscape and the art of review writing
- Have their bios and written reviews published on Centre 42’s website
This programme encourages independent learning and is not designed like a course. Reviewers embark on a week-long training programme at the start of their term, and are encouraged to attend monthly meet-ups with the programme editor and fellow reviewers. Throughout the rest of the term, reviewers are expected to work directly and proactively with the editor to feedback on and improve their writing.
Through Citizens' Reviews, Centre 42 also documents local theatre and encourages discourse and informed opinions among art enthusiasts.
This programme ran from 2014 to 2019, completing 6 editions. A total of 513 reviews were written and published by 36 Citizen Reviewers. 376 unique productions from 196 groups were reviewed. These groups included major companies, independent practitioners, tertiary institutions and unique collaborations between artists.