In the roughly fifteen years I have been studying theater as a researcher, director, and theater scholar, I have observed that the existing literature reveals significant gaps regarding the evaluation of theatrical performances. Perhaps the difficulty lies in the lack of generally accepted criteria, combined with the freedom of artistic expression that makes it challenging.

This complex field may also conflict with the very nature of the evaluation endeavor, which by definition is complicated and requires assumptions that do not undermine the willingness to question and deconstruct criticism. By systematically observing performances, particularly works of special interest to my research pursuits, I have concluded that every creator invests such a large part of their emotional capital into their theatrical work that perhaps the disillusionment from a negative review could cause substantial harm, not only on an individual level but also potentially harm the theatrical art in general...

from the preface of the publication.