Anderson, Kerman review Twin Cities theater, film on blogs

Hypnotic, consciousness-raising and scathing: these adjectives appear in reviews on either Upper School English teacher Emily Anderson’s blog Bad Entertainment, or US French teacher Sophie Kerman’s reviews for Minnesota Playlist, a popular arts website.

So what is an art blog? Kerman describes it as a blog with a focus on the arts that frequently publishes opinions.

Kerman started working for Minnesota Playlist in Oct. 2014. Then she owned and ran Aisle Say, another Twin Cities arts blog. According to her Authors Index on Minnesota Playlist Kerman “also moonlights as a translator of European sportswear ads and tourist brochures.”

Kerman got into blogging while she was attending graduate school, focusing on French theater. Her professor introduced her to Aisle Say which she started out just reviewing for, but eventually took over. She switched to Minnesota Playlist because it has a larger viewership and it is easier because she is only reviewing for it, not running it. Kerman mostly critiques plays and a little bit of dance and opera.

Anderson co-owns her blog Bad Entertainment with Minneapolis-based lawyer, Eric Prindle.
“I blog about film, theater, literature, dance, and painting in the Twin Cities,” Anderson said.
Her favorite types of art to blog about are theater and film.

“Blog visits mean that there are people out there who are interested in thinking about art, and this is a good thing. It’s always interesting to see which reviews people are more drawn to, but I write in order to keep myself engaged with the arts community. So, when someone else reads my reviews it’s just an extra reward for what is already fulfilling work,” Anderson said.

“I got into blogging because I wanted to give back to the arts community and because, as an English teacher, I’m always asking my students to think critically so I wanted to do that as well,” Anderson said.

Anderson and Kerman practice what they evaluate on their own.

“I was very involved in theater as an actor and director and now I play piano,” Kerman said.
According to Kerman’s Author’s Index on Minnesota Playlist “She also currently plays chamber music with the Esperanza Ensemble.”

Anderson writes poetry and fiction in addition to her reviews. Blogging about art and critiquing art can help in the classroom.

“I know what to ask for when I’m asking students to give opinions,” Kerman said.

Although their shared hobby of art blogging and critiquing art can help in the classroom both teachers mostly blog for their own enjoyment.

“I use my blog to remind myself how difficult good writing is but also how rewarding it is,” Anderson said.

To read Anderson’s reviews at Bad Entertainment click here 

To Read Kerman’s reviews on Minnesota Playlist click here