Valley Theater Reviews began as a personal exercise at a time when I was taking a hiatus from performing and directing. I found that writing reviews of other people’s shows helped me to identify what works for me in the art of theater and what doesn’t. After a while, I began publishing my reviews in this blog both to help and (admittedly) take to task the theater producers in the area.
I believed, and still do, that peer to peer review is important in any art form. It forces the reviewer to acknowledge success when they encounter it and asks the artists to truly evaluate their execution. Without feedback, we remain stagnant.
Now, early in my reviewing days, I took the “hold them accountable” portion too seriously and the “acknowledge success” not seriously at all. At that time I felt it was my cause to point out the deficiencies of other artists rather than incessantly cheerlead them.
I have since returned to producing, directing and (occasionally) acting, and have gotten some perspective in my reviewing process. Rosemary Clooney once said, “You’re never as good as they say you are when they say you’re good, and you’re never as bad as they say you are when they say you’re bad.” Truer words were never spoken and I truly believe that all work has some value.
I now attempt to balance my reviews of peers and colleagues with a sense of generosity. I truly believe that if we all remain open to constructive criticism– both positive and negative– together theater artists can raise the level of all of the productions in our area. That will help to develop new audiences for everyone and inspire local entertainment seekers to pour their money to locally created art, which benefits us all.
I have a keen eye and can be harsh– by I’ll try to temper it with my words. Whatever else you may take from one of my reviews, know that it comes from a profound love of the artform and a desire to truly come to the core of the work’s intentions.
I don’t always get it right in my own work (in fact, I feel I rarely do) or in my own reviews. But I do wish there could be a greater dialogue regarding local theater in the Valley– addressing what actually works by the people actually doing the work.
And, of course, you always have the right to disagree with me as well as the option of reviewing my shows in return.
Happy creating!
Heather Parish
Heather is the founding director of The New Ensemble in Fresno, California. She has previously directed for the Woodward Shakespeare Festival, Musical Theaterworks Fresno, and The Ice House Theater in Visalia. She has acted, stage managed, designed lights and costumes, and myriad other tasks in the theatre. She studied at College of the Sequoias and Whitworth University and spent a year studying theater in London, England.
