Helen Shaw Named Chief Theater Critic at The New York Times
A highly respected voice in theater criticism, Helen Shaw, will assume the role of chief theater critic at The New York Times in mid-January. The appointment follows a period of transition within the paper’s critical ranks and signals a continued commitment to robust arts coverage.
The move comes after The New York Times announced in July that four of its critics – television critic Margaret Lyons, music critic Jon Pareles, theater critic Jesse Green, and classical music critic Zach Woolfe – would be taking on new roles within the organization. This restructuring prompted industry-wide speculation regarding the future of arts criticism at the publication.
A Proven Critic Takes the Reins
Shaw brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously served as a theater critic and staff writer at The New Yorker and as chief theater critic at New York magazine. Her expertise extends to contributions for Time Out New York, 4Columns, Artforum, and The Village Voice. Shaw’s critical acumen has already been recognized with prestigious awards, including the 2025 Grace Dudley Prize for Arts Writing and a co-win of the 2017-18 George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism.
The position of chief theater critic at The New York Times carries significant weight within the Broadway community, with reviews often influencing the commercial success of productions.
Transition of Leadership
Jesse Green, who held the role of chief theater critic since 2020, and co-chief since 2017, transitioned to a culture correspondent position at the paper in September. This shift reflects a broader reorganization of the Times’ arts and culture division.
Shaw’s Vision for the Future
Shaw expressed a deep connection to The New York Times’ legacy of theater criticism, recalling its formative influence on her own development as a writer. “Long before I came to New York in 2002,” Shaw said, “I developed a lot of strong opinions about shows I hadn’t encountered yet, largely thanks to reviews in The Times: In Kansas, I could read Mel Gussow on Edward Albee; in Massachusetts, I could read Frank Rich on Stephen Sondheim. I also developed a serious passion in the ’90s, in college, for the cut and thrust of Walter Kerr, reading him on shows that had been closed, at that point, for almost 20 years. Those reviews were my education and invited me into the long conversation about the theater. My hope at The Times is to continue that conversation, with as many people as possible.”
Based in Brooklyn, Shaw also maintains teaching positions at New York University and Yale. Her appointment signals a continuation of thoughtful and engaging theater criticism at a pivotal moment for the performing arts.
