Let's hear it for the critics [The crowd is SILENT. Crickets CHIRPING.]

Just starting out, critics can be as valuable as the fans.

Approx. 400 words; two minutes read time

Often perceived as cynics, critics do administer a lot of unfavorable evaluations. But they also convey positive observations on quality work. Positive or negative, critique, when done well, is a service to the creative process.

Professional critics, peers, and colleagues all contribute to these evaluations. This c…