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Critical Minded
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About this listen

 Arts and culture criticism in the United States has never seemed as endangered as it does now and this is especially true for critics of color. This inaugural season of the Critical Minded podcast looks at the organization’s new report, ”Topdogs and Underdogs: Critics of Color and the Theatrical Landscape,” which explores the challenges facing theater critics of color. Join host Steven Vargas, an LA-based theater and dance critic, as he speaks with a wide-range of critics including Naveen Kumar, Jose Solís, Brittani Samuel and more about what it is like to report on theater in today’s climate.Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Art Entertainment & Performing Arts Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Unpacking the Myth of Critics v. Artists

    Unpacking the Myth of Critics v. Artists
    Apr 14 2025

    In this final episode, host Steven Vargas brings playwright Larissa Fasthorse, Latino Theatre Company Artistic Director José Luis Valenzuela, playwright & critic Amanda L. Andrei, and critic Martín Hernández together for a roundtable discussion about the importance of building community between critics and theater artists of color.
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    34 mins
  • The Future of Theater Criticism

    The Future of Theater Criticism
    Apr 7 2025

    With some guidance from our report, “Topdogs and Underdogs,” today’s critics offer some insight into how we can work to create a more diverse landscape.

    Host Steven Vargas speaks with BIPOC Critics Lab founder Jose Solís, 3Views co-editor Brittani Samuel & Gate co-owner Adlan Jackson about their crucial efforts to reform the critical ecosystem.

    To read the full 'Topdogs & Underdogs' report, visit https://criticalminded.org/
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    31 mins
  • What Does It Take to Be a New Critic Today?

    What Does It Take to Be a New Critic Today?
    Mar 24 2025

    Entering a career as a critic today takes more than a good resume. The next generation of writers faces the aftermath of a global pandemic, a volatile job market and low pay rates.

    With personal accounts of navigating publications and industry constraints, host Steven Vargas unpacks the current criticism landscape for new writers of color with Washington D.C. critic Nathan Pugh, New York critic Brittani Samuel, and Miami critic and educator Cristina Pla-Guzman.

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    31 mins
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