1. Who is the Citizens’ Reviews programme for?
The programme is suitable for aspiring theatre critics who have good knowledge of the local theatre scene, possess an open and critical mind, and who are strong writers with some experience in writing about the arts. He or she should be able to clearly express his or her opinions with supporting evidence.
2. Who can apply for Citizens’ Reviews 2018?
Anyone who is a Singaporean Citizen, Permanent Resident or resident of Singapore.
3. Is there an age limit?
No.
4. What can participants expect from the programme?
Selected candidates will be given tickets to shows of their choice by the Centre. They will then submit a review in English to the Centre for editing before it gets published on the Centre 42 website. As the programme is not designed as a course, there will be no lessons on critical writing. Reviewers will, however, have the opportunity to engage in dialogue sessions with fellow participants and the editor in the form of quarterly roundtables and one-on-one clinics.
5. What language can reviewers write in?
For the 2018 cycle, the programme will only be taking in English-language reviewers.
6. Who are the editors for Citizens’ Review?
Dr Robin Loon, the Centre’s resident dramaturg, will continue on as editor. Gwen Pew, the Centre’s communications and programmes executive and a former arts editor, will be taking on the role of deputy editor.
7. Who determines the type of productions to be reviewed? And what are the criteria for the selection of productions for reviewing?
Centre 42 puts together a list of upcoming theatre productions for Citizen Reviewers to select from on a regular basis. In line with Centre 42’s objective of documenting and promoting local theatre, the primary criteria is that they have to be plays that are staged by Singaporean companies. These could range from original new works created, to adapted works produced by local arts organisations and collectives.
8. Will Centre 42 be providing tickets for reviewers?
Yes. Centre 42 will try to request for a reviewer’s ticket from the presenter/theatre company after confirming the date and time that the reviewer will be attending the show. Otherwise, reviewers will purchase their own tickets, and be reimbursed for the full or pre-agreed amount upon submission of their reviews and ticket receipts.
9. What about non-Singapore Theatre productions? Can reviewers choose to write reviews of them for publication on Centre 42’s platform?
Occasionally, the Centre might recommend foreign productions and include those in the list for reviewers to consider as part of their personal enrichment and development. However, the Centre will not bear the cost of or purchase the tickets to these productions. The Centre will accept written reviews of these recommended non-Singapore theatre productions for publication on Centre 42’s online platforms.
10. What about productions that are not on the list provided by Centre 42?
From time to time, reviewers may come across productions that the Centre may not be aware of. Reviewers can write a request/recommendation to include these into the list for consideration, at least two weeks prior to event date. Do note that reviews of productions not in the Centre’s endorsed list will not be published on Centre 42’s online platforms.
11. When do reviews need to be submitted by?
Reviews should be submitted two to three days after the performance date.
12. Can the reviewer publish his/her written review – original or edited by Centre 42 – elsewhere?
No. All reviews of productions with tickets purchased under Citizens’ Reviews platform will be exclusively published on the Centre 42 website. Reviewers can, however, share the link of the published review on other platforms.
13. Each reviewer has a quota of 12 production reviews for the year. What kind of production/review count toward the quota?
All reviews of shows with tickets that are purchased under the Citizens’ Reviews programme will count towards the quota. Reviews of shows with tickets that are not purchased under the programme may be included under the reviewers’ quota, provided that they satisfy the programme’s requirements and that they are exclusively published on the Centre 42 website.
14. Can non-English productions be reviewed?
Yes. We encourage reviewers to watch at least one non-English production during their term, but reviews submitted must be written in English.
15. Can a production or theatre company offer its show(s) to be reviewed by this Citizens’ Reviews programme? Who do they approach?
Yes. Interested organisations can write in to CitizensReviews@centre42.sg to be included in the Centre’s selection of productions to reviewers.
16. When will the 2018 Citizen Reviewers get to meet for the first time?
A caucus for reviewers from both the 2017 and 2018 cycles will be held sometime in December 2017 at Centre 42. This will be an opportunity for reviewers, editor and the Centre 42 team to meet and share past experiences of the programme. The exact date and more details will be sent out to successful applicants closer to the time.
Find out more about Citizens’ Reviews here, and apply for the 2018 cycle here.
If you have any further questions, please email CitizensReviews@centre42.sg.