This Just In: The following is a news release written by an arts organization, submitted to Chicago On the Aisle.

Goodman Theatre invites emerging theater writers and critics to apply for its new “boot camp” intensive experience—“Criticism in a Changing America”—designed to develop journalists’ understanding of how plays live in the wider context of contemporary issues.

Held in conjunction with New Stages, the Goodman’s 14th annual festival of new plays, the training includes workshops, keynotes, panels, readings and staged productions. Participants experience the boot camp in pairs, to encourage discourse and divergent perspectives. Early career journalists from educational institutions and community media are invited to apply.

“Criticism in a Changing America” is presented in a two-part series, October 5-7 and October 13-14 at Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn). Applications are due September 25 and are now available at Goodmantheatre.org/criticsbootcamp; writing samples required. “Criticism in a Changing America” is funded through a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

“Given the recent controversies surrounding theatrical productions in New York and here in Chicago, we strongly recognize the need for the empowerment of a diversity of critical voices,” said Walter Director of Education and Engagement Willa J. Taylor. “We hope to be part of the solution by providing an opportunity to discuss the nature of criticism in our changing society—and what is lost, or missing, for the arts and audiences when there is not a diversity of critical voices. ”

“Criticism in a Changing America” continues Goodman Theatre’s decade-long dedication to cultivating new critical voices—an effort begun with the Cindy Bandle Young Critics (CBYC) program, which is designed to introduce young women to the world of theater and field of journalism. The young critics attend bi-monthly Saturday workshops in the Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement, where mentors assist help them develop a critical voice and hone professional journalism skills. CBYC participants also interview Goodman artists and staff members for feature stories and attend press opening nights.

Last week, Goodman Theatre announced the lineup of its 14th annual New Stages Festival—a celebration and discovery of new work by some of the country’s finest established and emerging playwrights. Over the course of three weeks (September 20 – October 8), the annual festival offers Chicago theatergoers a first look at eight new works, completely free-of-charge.

“The New Stages Festival is always exciting because the plays are grappling with issues in real time that impact our lives in real and visceral ways,” said Tanya Palmer, Goodman’s Director of New Play Development. “The Criticism In a Changing America initiative is a perfect way to bring critics and theater-makers together to think about the unique role theater can play in tackling the challenges we all face.”