Reviews Section
the off-off-broadway review

How to become an OOBR reviewer

OOBR is always looking for reviewers. Not that we have such high turnover, but there are always new demands on our services, and it seems that we're always missing chances to review someone's show. We want to try harder to meet those commitments.

We’re looking for reviewers who have some hands-on experience with theatre. A look at the archives will show that the best reviews are good journalism: in addition to judging the production, they describe what the reviewer saw. The ocular proof is the evidence from which the reviewer builds his or her case, whether in prosecution or defense.

Everything at OOBR happens over the Internet. Each week, our managing editor sends out the schedule of upcoming shows, and reviewers sign up by E-mail for the shows they want to see. Reviewers send in their work -- promptly! -- by E-mail. Our managing editor edits the articles and posts them to the Web site. There's no room here for FAX or snail mail. (The telephone is available when necessary.) We often don't meet a new reviewer until the OOBR Awards, once a year, or the annual OOBR Brunch.

OOBR covers work by its members only. Members pay an annual fee of $60, and we try to review all their work. Reviewers earn $15 per article, payable on posting to the Web site. (We even cut the checks on line, through the magic of eBanking.)

Does this cozy financial relationship with members mean we aren't critical of bad shows? Hardly. If all our reviews were puff pieces, they'd have no value -- and who would want to be a member? Take another look at the archives for plenty of examples of negative -- but, I hope, balanced -- reviews.

To apply, just go to an Off-Off-Broadway show and write it up. E-mail the Managing Editor a 500-word review, as much in the style of OOBR as possible. We’ll let you know whether we’re interested.

We look forward to hearing from you,

John Chatterton, Publisher

Cynthia Leathers, Managing Editor