International Association of Theatre Critics

International Association of Theatre Critics is a global organization that brings together theatre critics from around the world, including notable critics such as Kenneth Tynan, Harold Clurman, and Eric Bentley. The association was founded in 1956 by a group of critics, including Jean-Marie Serreau and Leonard Pronko, with the goal of promoting theatre and dance criticism, as well as fostering international cooperation and exchange among critics, playwrights, and directors like Bertolt Brecht, Samuel Beckett, and Tadeusz Kantor. The organization has members from over 50 countries, including United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan, and has worked with institutions such as the Theatre Communications Group, National Theatre, and Comédie-Française. The association has also collaborated with festivals like the Avignon Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Berlin International Film Festival.

● History

The International Association of Theatre Critics was established in 1956, with the first congress held in Paris, France, featuring speakers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Martin Esslin. Since then, the organization has held regular congresses and meetings, often in collaboration with other theatre organizations, such as the International Theatre Institute and the Theatre du Châtelet. The association has also worked with notable theatre companies, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, Théâtre du Soleil, and Mabou Mines, and has recognized the contributions of influential theatre practitioners like Konstantin Stanislavski, Vsevolod Meyerhold, and Jerzy Grotowski. Throughout its history, the organization has been led by prominent critics and scholars, including Giovanni Macchia, Hubert Gignoux, and Irena Świstakowska, who have played a significant role in shaping the association's activities and goals, often in consultation with renowned artists like Pina Bausch, Robert Wilson, and Peter Brook.

● Organization

The International Association of Theatre Critics is a non-profit organization with its headquarters in Paris, France, and is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from various countries, such as United States, Canada, and Australia. The organization has a number of committees, including the Executive Committee, Membership Committee, and Awards Committee, which are responsible for overseeing the association's activities, including the selection of award winners like Tennessee Williams, Eugene O'Neill, and Arthur Miller. The association also has a number of regional sections, including the European Section, American Section, and Asian Section, which are responsible for promoting the organization's goals and activities in their respective regions, often in partnership with institutions like the European Theatre Convention, Theatre Development Fund, and Asian Cultural Council. The organization has collaborated with other theatre organizations, such as the Theatre and Performance Research Association and the International Federation for Theatre Research, to advance the field of theatre criticism and scholarship.

● Membership

Membership in the International Association of Theatre Critics is open to professional theatre critics, scholars, and researchers from around the world, including notable critics like John Simon, Clive Barnes, and Frank Rich. Members come from a wide range of countries, including China, India, and Brazil, and include critics who write for publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and Le Monde. The organization also has a number of honorary members, including prominent theatre practitioners like Ariane Mnouchkine, Peter Stein, and Robert Lepage, and scholars like Erika Fischer-Lichte and Hans-Thies Lehmann. Members of the association have access to a range of benefits, including discounts on congress registration, access to the organization's newsletter, and opportunities to participate in international theatre festivals like the Festival d'Avignon and Theatertreffen.

● Activities

The International Association of Theatre Critics engages in a range of activities, including organizing international congresses and meetings, often in collaboration with other theatre organizations, such as the International Theatre Institute and the Theatre Communications Group. The organization also publishes a newsletter, which features articles and reviews by members, as well as news and updates on the association's activities, often highlighting the work of notable theatre companies like the Wooster Group and Forced Entertainment. The association has also established a number of awards, including the Critics' Award and the Young Critics' Award, which recognize excellence in theatre criticism and scholarship, and have been awarded to notable critics like Jan Kott and Herbert Blau. The organization has also collaborated with other organizations, such as the European Theatre Convention and the Theatre Development Fund, to promote theatre and dance criticism, and has worked with festivals like the Berlin Theatertreffen and Festival TransAmériques.

● Awards

The International Association of Theatre Critics presents a number of awards, including the Critics' Award and the Young Critics' Award, which recognize excellence in theatre criticism and scholarship, and have been awarded to notable critics like György Lukács and Theodor Adorno. The organization also presents the Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of theatre criticism, such as Eric Bentley and Kenneth Tynan. The association's awards are presented at its international congresses, which are held every two to three years, and have been hosted in cities like London, New York City, and Tokyo. The organization has also established a number of other awards, including the Best New Play Award and the Best Director Award, which recognize excellence in playwriting and directing, and have been awarded to notable playwrights like Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter, and directors like Bertolt Brecht and Jerzy Grotowski.