{"id":5419,"date":"2018-02-05T17:25:45","date_gmt":"2018-02-05T17:25:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/?p=5419"},"modified":"2018-02-05T17:25:45","modified_gmt":"2018-02-05T17:25:45","slug":"5-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-sweat-reviews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/5-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-sweat-reviews\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Reasons Why You Shouldn\u2019t Sweat Reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-one-full fusion-layout-column fusion-column-last fusion-spacing-yes section-header-post\" style=\"margin-top:;margin-bottom:;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper\"><h3>5 Reasons Why You Shouldn\u2019t Sweat Reviews<\/h3>\n<font size=\"2\" color=\"grey\"><span style=\"border:1px solid ;-webkit-border-radius:50%;-moz-border-radius:50%;border-radius:50%;-moz-box-shadow: 0 0 3px rgba(0,0,0,.3);-webkit-box-shadow: 0 0 3px rgba(0,0,0,.3);box-shadow: 0 0 3px rgba(0,0,0,.3);margin-right:25px;float:left;\" class=\"fusion-imageframe imageframe-glow imageframe-1 hover-type-none author-image\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"http:\/\/performerstuff.com\" target=\"_self\"> <img src=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ashleigh2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"img-responsive\" style=\"-webkit-border-radius:50%;-moz-border-radius:50%;border-radius:50%;\"\/><\/a><\/span><p>Written by\u00a0Ashleigh Gardner<\/p>\n<p>February 1, 2018<\/p>\n<\/font><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-one-full fusion-layout-column fusion-column-last fusion-spacing-yes section-body-post\" style=\"margin-top:;margin-bottom:;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper\"><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve ever seen the film <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/theatre-in-film-birdman-or-the-unexpected-virtue-of-ignorance-%ef%bb%bf2014\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ba9bc9;\"><strong><i>Birdman <\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #ba9bc9;\"><strong>(2015)<\/strong><\/span>, you\u2019ll remember the scene in which Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) approaches an infamous New York theatre critic and berates her over her notebook. It\u2019s a scene no doubt that speaks to every actor <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">critic at some point in their careers. (<strong>Warning:<\/strong> this video contains strong language.)<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"fusion-video fusion-youtube\" style=\"max-width:600px;max-height:350px;\"><div class=\"video-shortcode\"><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4d5KovCbU8w?wmode=transparent&autoplay=0\" width=\"600\" height=\"350\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><br>\r\n<br><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if the critic is harsh <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the play\/a performance is poor, it\u2019s important to remember the following 5 things.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">1.\u00a0A poor review does not cement your talent for the rest of your life.<\/h4>\n<div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span style=\"border:1px solid ;\" class=\"fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none\"> <img src=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1_dont-sweat-reviews.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"img-responsive\"\/><\/span><\/div><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s address this one first. The thoughts and opinions of a critic do not determine your talent ten years from now or even ten weeks from now. The critic saw your show in <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">evening; they did not see your entire performance career. So take it easy on yourself and know that this review won\u2019t destroy you. Like theatre, this moment in time is temporary and fleeting. A critic is not the last word when it comes to your show.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-one-full fusion-layout-column fusion-column-last fusion-spacing-yes section-body-post\" style=\"margin-top:;margin-bottom:;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper\"><h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">2. A review is subjective.<\/h4>\n<div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span style=\"border:1px solid ;\" class=\"fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-3 hover-type-none\"> <img src=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/5_dont-sweat-reviews.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"img-responsive\"\/><\/span><\/div><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though critics should be objective when reviewing a show, it\u2019s nearly impossible. All opinions are subjective based on a person\u2019s likes and dislikes, and a person\u2019s opinion is just that \u2014 \u00a0an opinion. Not fact. Not law. While the critic may be well-informed and educated, their stances on the way certain aspects of the show are presented may differ from yours or maybe even 50% of the audience.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-one-full fusion-layout-column fusion-column-last fusion-spacing-yes section-body-post\" style=\"margin-top:;margin-bottom:;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper\"><h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">3.\u00a0The critic may not personally like the type of theatre you\u2019re doing.<\/h4>\n<div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span style=\"border:1px solid ;\" class=\"fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-4 hover-type-none\"> <img src=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/3_dont-sweat-reviews.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"img-responsive\"\/><\/span><\/div><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes a reviewer is partial to \u201csafe\u201d theatre \u2014 \u00a0theatre that does not push the envelope or addresses timely topics. And sometimes reviewers <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">don\u2019t <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">like safe theatre. A reviewer\u2019s opinion (remember \u2014 \u00a0SUBJECTIVE opinion) may be based on these biases.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-one-full fusion-layout-column fusion-column-last fusion-spacing-yes section-body-post\" style=\"margin-top:;margin-bottom:;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper\"><h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">4.\u00a0Any press is good press.<\/h4>\n<div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span style=\"border:1px solid ;\" class=\"fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-5 hover-type-none\"> <img src=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/2_dont-sweat-reviews.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"img-responsive\"\/><\/span><\/div><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ve heard this before, right? It\u2019s true. If a show gets a good review, it elicits interest; if a show is reviewed poorly, it may spark intrigue. Regardless, any mention of your show in the newspaper, on a blog, or by word of mouth is a good way for people to know it\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">happening. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And the more people who come to your shows, the more you\u2019ll be able to show them how dedicated you are to your craft.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-one-full fusion-layout-column fusion-column-last fusion-spacing-yes section-body-post\" style=\"margin-top:;margin-bottom:;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper\"><h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">5.\u00a0Remember that a good critic is balanced.<\/h4>\n<div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span style=\"border:1px solid ;\" class=\"fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-6 hover-type-none\"> <img src=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/4_dont-sweat-reviews.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"img-responsive\"\/><\/span><\/div><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you recognize a pattern of terrible reviews (or stellar reviews) for every show in town, you might want to take that critic&#8217;s reviews with a grain of salt. A critic who <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">always <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gives a positive review or <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">always <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gives a negative review may be easy to please or very difficult to please, respectively. A good critic examines a show for its challenges and its successes, however many or few there are. And if you get a poor review, see #1 again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, if a reviewer uses inflammatory language or calls an actor offensive things, there may be a more personal, deeper issue going on with the critic than just the actor\u2019s performance. (And in cases where critics get nasty, I tend to disregard the review altogether. Let\u2019s be nice. #onetheatrefamily)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, if you don\u2019t agree with a critic, it\u2019s bad form to publicly berate them on social media or in the comments section of the blog. The internet makes it easy for us to become removed from the words we type <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">another person. So if you don\u2019t like the review, drop the newspaper, don\u2019t visit the website, and keep doing the thing you do best &#8212; performing.<\/span><\/p>\n<br>\r\n<br><h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Need some advice? We\u2019ve got you covered.<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/the-surprising-truth-about-college-auditions\/\">The Surprising Truth About College Auditions<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/9-useful-diction-exercises-for-every-actor\/\">9 Useful Diction Exercises for Every Actor<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/how-to-bow-and-what-your-bow-says-about-you\/\">How to Bow (And What Your Bow Says About You)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/10-basic-rules-of-stage-combat-that-keep-everyone-safe\/\">10 Basic Rules of Stage Combat (That Keep Everyone Safe)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/5-advantages-of-learning-stage-combat\/\">5 Advantages of Learning Stage Combat<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/dont-be-a-diva-common-pitfalls-and-how-to-avoid-them\/\">Don\u2019t Be a Diva: Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/9-articles-of-clothing-every-thespian-should-keep-in-their-wardrobe\/\">9 Articles of Clothing Every Thespian Should Keep In Their Wardrobe<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/what-makes-an-actor-website-wow\/\">What Makes an Actor Website WOW?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/is-my-attitude-not-getting-me-roles-and-other-essential-questions-for-actors\/\">\u201cIs my attitude not getting me roles?\u201d And Other Essential Questions for Actors<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/6-steps-to-memorizing-shakespeare\/\">6 Steps to Memorizing Shakespeare<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/10-tricks-to-staying-healthy-all-season-long\/\">10 Tricks to Staying Healthy All Season Long<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/what-does-it-take-to-break-into-voiceovers\/\">What Does It Take to Break\u00a0Into Voiceovers?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/5-tips-for-nailing-your-college-music-theatre-audition\/\">5 Tips for Nailing Your College Music Theatre Audition<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/10-tips-on-owning-the-room-at-competition\/\">10 Tips on Owning the Room at Competition<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/how-to-balance-theatre-and-coursework\/\">How to Balance Theatre and Coursework<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/the-10-secrets-of-great-understudying\/\">The 10 Secrets of Great Understudying<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/10-items-every-actor-should-carry-in-their-rehearsal-bag\/\">10 Items Every Actor Should Carry in Their Rehearsal Bag<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/10-items-every-dancer-should-keep-in-their-rehearsal-bag\/\">10 Items Every Dancer Should Keep in Their Rehearsal Bag<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><hr \/>\n<h5><em><strong>Ashleigh Gardner<\/strong>\u00a0received her\u00a0MA in Literary, Cultural, and Textual Studies (with concentrations in Film, Gender Studies, and Psychoanalytic Theory) and\u00a0her\u00a0BA in English Literature (with concentrations in Victorian, Gothic, and Early American Literature and Gender Studies) from\u00a0the University of Central Florida; she received her AA in Theatre\/Drama\/Dramatic Arts\u00a0from Valencia College. She is a playwright, an actor, and PerformerStuff.com\u2019s Editor.<\/em><\/h5>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [...]","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5423,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[261,470,259,269,272],"tags":[606,605,607],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5419"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5419"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5419\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5423"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}