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Membership

The American Theatre Critics Association is the only professional organization for theater journalists and critics in the United States. We believe that theater is one of our nation’s most valuable tools for connecting people. Our members lead exciting conversations about theater and performance through the production of intelligent and insightful articles and other media. We are committed to the continued education of practicing critics, the mentorship of emerging writers and we invest in the talents of artists who advance the art form.

Membership levels

There are five tiers of membership. You may join as an Active, Associate or Affiliate member (outlined below). Alumni and Emeritus members are existing ATCA members who are assigned these statuses through review by the membership and executive committees.

 

Special for the 2020-21 (July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021) and 2021-22 (July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022) membership years: In recognition of the ongoing financial implications connected to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Executive Committee voted unanimously to implement a pay-what-you-decide policy for new and renewing members. If you apply and are approved for membership or are renewing, at any level, your initial dues can be as low as $1, or as much as the full dues for your membership level.

  • ACTIVE MEMBER

  • $100

  • Any person actively engaged in theater journalism on any publicly accessible platform is eligible for active status. Members accepted at this level are entitled to all rights and privileges of Association membership, including serving on the executive committee and voting on all ATCA issues.

  • ASSOCIATE MEMBER

  • $50

  • Students and early-career professionals who have been engaged in theater journalism for public access for less than two years are eligible for associate membership. Applicants accepted must remain at this level for at least one year before applying for Active member status. Membership at this level is limited to two years after which the member must meet and apply for Active member status or leave the Association. Members accepted at this level cannot serve on the executive committee or vote.

  • AFFILIATE MEMBER

  • $50

  • Individuals who aid in the creation of theater-related content or who work in fields adjacent to theater journalism but are not theater journalists. This includes but is not limited to editors, videographers and other content creators, dramaturgs, and educators. This category is not open to marketing or media relations professionals, or to theater-makers who are not regularly engaged in theater journalism. Members accepted at this level cannot serve on the executive committee or vote.

Members Benefits

ATCA offers valuable opportunities for educational and personal enrichment to both established and developing theater journalists. In a typical year, members gather for a multi-day annual conference in a major theater center outside of New York, as well as for a shorter meeting in New York City or elsewhere, perhaps a regional theater festival. At these events there are panels, workshops, seminars, guest speakers, discussions with regional and national theater practitioners, a sampling of regional theaters, and ample opportunity to talk shop and socialize with others in the profession.

  • Professional affiliation with a nationwide network of over 200 theater writers
  • Membership in both the Foundation for the American Theatre Critics Association and International Association of Theatre Critics
  • ATCA website and social media promotion of member content
  • Member-only access to workshops, panels, interviews, meet-and-greets and video content with theater makers and industry experts
  • Admission to select international museums and galleries
  • Listing in the published and online ATCA member directories
  • ATCA website and social media promotion of member content

For Active Members

  • One-time registration scholarship for new members to an ATCA conference*
  • Voting on the annual Theatre Hall of Fame inductees**
  • Recommending candidates for the annual Tony Award for regional theater**
  • Participating in play reading adjudication panels for the Primus Prize for women playwrights
  • Recommending new works to juried panels for Steinberg and Osborn Awards, and participating on the panels for those awards
  • Member-only access to video panels with theater makers and industry experts
  • Opportunities to represent ATCA at international conferences**

* Applies only to conference occurring in the first year of new membership.

** Applies to some membership categories and not others.

Join Today

Membership is open to anyone who regularly publishes substantive content reviewing, or who is otherwise critically covering theater, including writing for a print or online publication or blog, and video or audio platforms. The ATCA membership year runs from July 1 to June 30 but the membership committee reviews applications on a rolling basis.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION