TRU Seeks Submissions For 2014 TRU NEW PLAY READING SERIES; Deadline 1/18

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) is now accepting submissions for the 2014 TRU New Play Reading Series through January 18, 2014. For full submission guidelines and application, visit http://www.truonline.org/TRUPlays.htm.

The TRU Voices New Play Reading Series encourages submissions from emerging and established producers who are interested in testing the waters with a new work, and offers an opportunity for them to forge relationships with writers. TRU also accepts submissions from writers and tries to match them with a sponsoring producer for the series. Shows that started in the series include Pied-à-Terre by John Anastasi, which played off-Broadway at The Kirk, Theatre Row; The Great American Trailer Park Musical by Betsy Kelso and David Nehls, which enjoyed an off-Broadway run, toured and is currently playing regionally; Normal by Yvonne Adrian, Cheryl Stern and Tom Kochan, which played a limited run in fall '06 in the East Village starring Barbara Walsh and tours throughout the country; and Saint Heaven by Martin Casella and Keith Gordon, which has had successful runs at the Stamford Center for the Performing Arts and the Village Theatre in Issaquah WA. A finalist in the 2006 series, Missives by Garret Jon Groenvald, had a production at 59E59 Street Theatres directed by Elysabeth Kleinhans; TRU was a co-producer with Animated Theatreworks and PlayGround.

"The concept of our series is working well," states TRU literary manaher Cate Cammarata. "One play from this year's play series and two musicals were all offered options by producers who were involved in the readings, and are now in varying stages of development. We've been very successful at matchmaking!"

Each reading will be followed by a reception and a "Dollars and Sense" panel with top industry professionals - commercial producers, general managers and artistic directors - who will discuss the further development of the show that is read. "Not only do we introduce audiences to new works, we also offer them an insider's look at the producing process," says TRU president Bob Ost.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) is a twenty-one year old 501c3 nonprofit organization created to help producers produce, emerging theater companies to emerge healthily and all theater professionals to understand and navigate the business of theater. Membership includes self-Producing Artists as well as career producers and theater companies.

TRU publishes an email community newsletter of services, goods and productions; presents the TRU VOICES Annual New Play Reading Series and Annual New Musicals Reading Series, two new works series in which TRU underwrites developmental readings to nurture new shows as well as new producers for theater; TRU offers a Producer Development & Mentorship Program whose mentors are among the most prominent producers and general managers in New York Theater, and also presents Producer Boot Camp workshops to help aspirants develop the business skills they need. TRU serves writers through a Writer-Producer Speed Date, a Practical Playwriting Workshop and a Director-Writer Communications Lab; programs for actors include an Annual Combined Audition and quarterly Resource Nights and "Speed Dating" as well as free monthly actor workshops, in partnership with Weist-Barron Studios.

TRU's monthly panels have been a core program of TRU since its inception, and in recent years executive director Ost has partnered with Back Stage to generate topics of interest to both TRU members and Back Stage readers. Founded in 1960, Back Stage is the world's most trusted name in casting, auditions, and entertainment-industry opportunities. "Through TRU, Back Stage is able to reach beyond its actor base to a wider theater community," said Ost, "and we get more visibility through the Back Stage connection."