EXTRA CRITICUM

One of My Fondest Performance Memories

Going through my files, I just stumbled upon this pic which brings me back to one of my favorite moments from two summers ago when I was trekking up and down the I-95 and I-87 corridors performing my solo storefront spectacle, No Place to Hide. During this, my first attempt at this, hosted by the Colonial Theatre in Keene, NH, a choir from a local middle school passing by on their way back from an afternoon concert of their own, stopped at the window and engaged with the strange middle aged man typing in a window.

When I learned they were members of a school choir, I asked for a song and they spontaneously broke out into song, in glorious 4-part harmony. I remember pushing my ears to the glass to try and hear them in all their glory, a reminder of the barrier between us and the human drive to connect no matter what.

Those kids were such an inspiration to me. And on other nights and afternoons when I found myself typing away with no one stopping to interact, I'd recall that moment and it kept me pushing through with the knowledge that there are always surprises waiting for us on the other side of the glass. We just have to persevere long enough to encounter them. 

Why I Started Extra Criticum and What I’ve Learned by Doing So

For at least two years before the birth of Extra Criticum, it seems that my old pal Robert Sullivan had been prodding me to start blogging. “You need a blog. Every writer should have a blog. Have you thought about starting a blog yet? I really think you ought to consider it.” I don’t know why I resisted. Well, actually, I do. I resisted the idea of starting my own blog because it struck me then as somewhat narcissistic. A journal of my thoughts, feelings and opinions—not to mention mundane actions—posted online for all the world to see? Why bother? What a bore!

So I told Robert the only way I would consider blogging was if it was a group undertaking. I didn’t want to create a space where all the musings of one Roland Tec would be posted ad nauseum. I’d feel a lot more comfortable if I could do so in the company of good friends and colleagues.

Pulled from the Archives: Biz & Money Questions

Every few months or so, the editors at E.C. take a stroll through our archives and pull a group of interesting posts that are loosely related in theme to offer up to our readership for a second read. If you have a favorite post you'd like us to "pull from the archives," just email us and we'll try to locate it for you. Or, you could also just use the handy Search box in the right sidebar.

 

$146,500 for a Development Consultant?! by Rolando Teco

A Brave ACT at the Box Office by Duane Kelly

The Future of Independent Film Financing by David Licata

I Should Be So Lucky by Sara Pauley

There's a downside to operating "in the black." by Rolando Teco

New Straight Plays Bleed Red Ink on Broadway by Duane Kelly

Are the standards sinking? (or am I just turning curmudgeonly?)

In the past month, I have seen at least four (maybe more--my memory ain't what it used to be) new American plays produced in Off-Broadway or Broadway houses that display a crippling lack of skill, the kind of skill one might expect would be at least addressed in any of the myriad MFA programs that spit out new playwrights year after year.  I thought about writing about the one I sat through last night but then this morning it seemed that to do so, to single one out, would be unfair. Because the problem is bigger than any one play.

Their First Posts

It's interesting to recall where we began, when we first arrived at this site. What obsession started us off as a contributing voice in this online community?

Here, in chronological order, are the first posts of the first eight Extra Criticum authors to join the site. What were they pondering when they first came on board? Enjoy!

 

I second that emotion: Rocco's right.

Speaking at the much-anticipated new play development conference at Arena Stage last week, Rocco Landesman put it bluntly: “You can either increase demand or decrease supply,” he said. “Demand is not going to increase, so it is time to think about decreasing supply.” [see Times story]

Fact is, for a long time, I've felt precisely the same way.

Pulled from the Archives: In Memoriam

Every few weeks or so, the editors at E.C. take a stroll through our archives and pull a group of interesting posts that are loosely related in theme to offer up to our readership for a second read. If you have a favorite post you'd like us to "pull from the archives," just email us and we'll try to locate it for you.

The following posts are all tributes to those we've lost and miss.

 

Pulled from the Archives: Yearley, Altenburg, Licata, Garrison & Barnes

Every few weeks or so, the editors at E.C. take a stroll through our archives and pull a group of interesting posts that are loosely related in theme to offer up to our readership for a second read. If you have a favorite post you'd like us to "pull from the archives," just email us and we'll try to locate it for you.

Or, you could also just use the handy Lijit Search box in the right sidebar.

 

Pulled from the Archives

Is Theatre Worth Saving? A Uniquely American Question

Simple Excercise for a Complicated Dramaturgical Problem

"Bye!" Some Thoughts on Parenting and Playwriting

Pulled from the Archives: Yearley and Stewart

Every couple of weeks or so, the editors at E.C. take a stroll through our archives and pull a group of interesting posts that are loosely related in theme to offer up to our readership for a second read. If you have a favorite post you'd like us to "pull from the archives," just email us and we'll try to locate it for you. Or, you could also just use the handy Lijit Search box in the right sidebar.

Straight Man Comes Out – Why I Love Project Runway by John Yearley

Hello, Wall-E, yes Hello, Wall-E, it's so nice to see you! by Sylvie Stewart

Pulled from the Archives: Teco, Outlaw, Sullivan

We're introducing a new feature to the site. Every couple of weeks or so, the editors at E.C. will take a stroll through our archives and pull a group of interesting posts that are loosely related in theme to offer up to our readership for a second read. If you have a favorite post you'd like us to "pull from the archives," just email us and we'll try to locate it for you. Or, you could also just use the handy Lijit Search box in the right sidebar.

Gershwin Employment Service by Paul Outlaw

Bring Back the Talk-back, Please. by Rolando Teco

Brush Up Your Cole Porter by Robert David Sullivan