BACKSTAGE with Theater Critic Mark Blankenship

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More than anything, I want my work to be an act of boisterous community building. Whether I'm hosting a podcast, conducting an interview, or writing a feature, I always want to cultivate "rigorous thinking is a casual voice," because I believe that we all benefit from welcoming conversations about art and culture. The more we understand about our own aesthetic values -- and the more we all feel empowered to explore those values -- the more we understand about ourselves. 

I love that my job lets me talk to people. The people I interview are constantly teaching me new ways to see and think about the world.

If you want to write or talk about culture, it's vital to understand the voice you want to use. Who is your ideal audience? What is the tone that best lets you express yourself? Let the answers guide your choices about the work you create and the places your work is distributed.

This is the first time I've encountered the phrase "socializing with purpose," and I love it. To me, it suggests trying to create opportunities for people to engage with each other, so that everyone feels welcome to both speak AND listen.