Ian BuckwalterCongratulations to DCist’s own Ian Buckwalter, who was selected as one of 25 journalists to participate in the National Endowment for the Arts Arts Journalism Institute in Theater and Musical Theater. Nicely done!
Buckwalter says that he imagines everyone wants to improve his or her writing, but he’s also looking specifically to hone his critical instincts. “I’ve never had any actual training in criticism, so I’d like to learn about how other people approach it to find out ways I might also improve not just my writing, but the way I write,” he told this DCist.
He will join 24 other fellows for a stay in Los Angeles, during which time he’ll see 9 plays over 11 days. The institute is hosted by the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism and takes place May 17–27.
Among his many contributions to the site over the years, Buckwalter counts his first ever film review for DCist as one of his favorites: a writeup of Terry Gilliam’s Tideland. He also includes this review of My Bloody Valentine (who didn’t even play in the District, mind you) as one worth remembering. For theater reviews, Buckwalter mentions Factory 449’s 4.48 Psychosis and Solas Nua’s Woman and Scarecrow rank high among his personal best.
Buckwalter joins a long line of DCist writers recognized by the NEA for their work. In 2009, Chris Klimek was selected as an NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Theater and Musical Theater fellow, while Kriston Capps was named as a fellow for the NEA International Arts Journalism Institute in the Visual Arts. Back in 2008, Missy Frederick represented DCist as an NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Theater and Musical Theater fellow.
