After I saw the DeBaun Performing Arts Center’s (DPAC) performance of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” I was eager and excited to pen a review and include in the next issue of The Stute — and I did. After I finished my personal final draft, subject to the careful vetting of our editors, I was satisfied. I had never written a review for The Stute, let alone of a play. My verdict on the play deemed it an absolute success, all involved putting forth great performances, and many even excellent ones. The first rendition of a Shakespeare play I witnessed in person wouldn’t be my last, I vowed.
To my surprise, on Friday evening, I was tagged in a post on a Facebook. If you noticed the title, you’re probably well aware of what was to follow. The post was of the review, linked from The Stute’s website. Beneath it, however, were several comments systematically dissecting every bit of the review. The translation process from my mind to The Stute’s WordPress post system somehow got marred, and what I said in the final copy of my review didn’t quite reflect my thoughts. I claimed that DPAC adapted and modernized Shakespeare’s comedy when, in fact, their performance was Shakespeare, period. Other concerns were terminological and one related to my closing metaphor for how DPAC’s only limit is the ceiling of DeBaun Auditorium.
I responded, clarified my points, and apologized for any miscommunications. I received likes and respectful responses, genuine or obligatory I’ll never know or care. What I found most interesting and useful to analyze was not my or the DPAC cast, crew, and even director’s reactions to the ordeal, but others’ reactions. I received apologies as if my pet had died, impassioned disapproval at “those jerks,” and, well, let’s call it even more impassioned disapproval and leave it at that.
Based on who said what, the responses made sense. Those who were upset at the seeming roast of my review — which, snarkiness aside, was entirely valid, justified, and necessary for my future writing — understood the rough history The Stute has had at the organization and publication levels in the past years. There is an instinctual reaction to be on the defensive and defend The Stute at all levels, especially from senior members. However, this bit of criticism is anything but negative, the content of the criticism notwithstanding.
Thankfully, The Stute is at a point where it is criticized for its content, not its formatting fumbles or spelling snafus; people care about what is written. When you reach a point in your profession, passion, or personal life where you have confidence in what you are doing, criticism is the most valuable thing you can receive. When people criticize, at a base level, they are consuming whatever content you’re creating and reacting in some way. To make the most of criticism, divorce yourself from your work and apply what you learn to your next piece, in whatever way it manifests.
