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Arts and culture criticism in the United States has never seemed as endangered as it does now and this is especially true for critics of color. This inaugural season of the Critical Minded podcast looks at the organization’s new report, ”Topdogs and Underdogs: Critics of Color and the Theatrical Landscape,” which explores the challenges facing theater critics of color. Join host Steven Vargas, an LA-based theater and dance critic, as he speaks with a wide-range of critics including Naveen Kumar, Jose Solís, Brittani Samuel and more about what it is like to report on theater in today’s climate.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Critical Minded podcast

The State of Criticism for Writers of Color

2025/03/10

Arts & culture criticism in the U.S. has never seemed as endangered as it does now. This is especially true for critics of color. Join host Steven Vargas, Washington Post theater critic Naveen Kumar and BIPOC Critics Lab founder Jose Solís as they explore the challenges facing theater critics of color in today's climate & unpack Critical Minded's new report, "Topdogs and Underdogs: Critics of Color and the Theatrical Landscape."

A Day in the Life of a Critic

2025/03/17

Culture criticism may sound glamorous, but being a critic takes resilience, a lot of writing and (in most cases) a day job. Host Steven Vargas speaks with freelancer Brittani Samuel, educator Cristina Pla-Guzman, Playbill Editor-in-Chief Diep Tran, and Washington Post critic Naveen Kumar for this episode of the Critical Minded podcast. Together, they’ll share an authentic look into a typical workday for a critic of color today, and discuss the common challenges they face.

What Does It Take to Be a New Critic Today?

2025/03/24

Entering a career as a critic today takes more than a good resume. The next generation of writers faces the aftermath of a global pandemic, a volatile job market and low pay rates. With personal accounts of navigating publications and industry constraints, host Steven Vargas unpacks the current criticism landscape for new writers of color with Washington D.C. critic Nathan Pugh, New York critic Brittani Samuel, and Miami critic and educator Cristina Pla-Guzman.

The Future of Theater Criticism

2025/04/07

With some guidance from our report, “Topdogs and Underdogs,” today’s critics offer some insight into how we can work to create a more diverse landscape. Host Steven Vargas speaks with BIPOC Critics Lab founder Jose Solís, 3Views co-editor Brittani Samuel & Gate co-owner Adlan Jackson about their crucial efforts to reform the critical ecosystem. To read the full 'Topdogs & Underdogs' report, visit https://criticalminded.org/

Unpacking the Myth of Critics v. Artists

2025/04/14

In this final episode, host Steven Vargas brings playwright Larissa Fasthorse, Latino Theatre Company Artistic Director José Luis Valenzuela, playwright & critic Amanda L. Andrei, and critic Martín Hernández together for a roundtable discussion about the importance of building community between critics and theater artists of color.

Welcome to the Critical Minded Podcast

2025/03/03

Welcome to the Critical Minded podcast! This inaugural season of the Critical Minded podcast looks at the organization’s new report, "Topdogs and Underdogs: Critics of Color and the Theatrical Landscape,” which explores the challenges facing theater critics of color. Hosted by Steven Vargas, an LA-based theater and dance critic.