The critique circle is a pedagogical technique for involving students in the process of oral evaluative criticism of performance work. After the performance of scenes, students gather in a circle. Any student may begin the critique and responses proceed around the circle in a clockwise fashion, with the rules requiring each student to evaluate or pass. Rather than functioning as the omniscient evaluator who controls and leads the discussion, the instructor evaluates the critical comments of each student based on such criteria as the ability to recognize crucial skills and whether these skills are being used effectively or ineffectively, the use of appropriate terminology, effectiveness as listener and speaker, and so on. Among its advantages as a pedagogical method, the critique circle helps students to take critical responsibility seriously, to gain abilities in recognizing important performance skills, to increase listening skills and confidence, to participate more equally in discussion, and to receive immediate feedback. (JL)