Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents a seminar that connects playwrights to the world of commercial theater: PRACTICAL PLAYWRITING: HOW TO WRITE FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION on Saturday, March 13, 2010 from noon-6pm at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street, Studio 2D (below W. 3rd Street), NYC. This unique workshop goes beyond the theoretical to include a closing session of real feedback from a panel of commercial producers.
"We're deeply interested in the dialogue between writers and producers, and are developing programs to help improve what is often a shaky communication," explains TRU executive director Bob Ost. "Writers always want producers to understand the art of what they do; TRU thinks it's only fair that writers should make the effort to understand a producer's business concerns."
TRU's new Program Director for Playwrights, Diana Amsterdam, explains further: "What often holds playwrights back is that they rarely consider the person who will buy and produce their product: the producer. With all the work, hope and sweat they invest in considering character, theme and plot, playwrights rarely take into account produceability."
This half-day intensive will be taught by Diana Amsterdam of The Drama Centre. A key segment of the workshop will be taught by presentation coach Roy Havrilack, who will help writers capture the essence of their piece in an effective synopsis, and learn how to present and pitch themselves successfully; and at the end of the day, a panel of commercial producers will offer feedback on writers' pitches as well as suggest appropriate markets for the works. This prestigious panel will include Danna Call (Communications Skills Coach for Dramatists Play Service) and Tony Award-winning Broadway producers Ken Waissman (Grease, Over Here!, Torch Song Trilogy) and Cheryl Wiesenfeld (A Steady Rain, The Exonerated, Legally Blonde, Elaine Stritch: At Liberty).
Topics covered will include:
· WHAT IS PRODUCEABILITY? The fact that producers always ask this question, and playwrights hardly ever do, causes a serious disconnect between the commercial producer and most playwrights.
· WRITING TO A MARKET - We will ask each playwright questions he or she has probably never considered before: Who is your market? Who is going to buy tickets? Who is this play written for?
· WRITING VIABLY - Creating writing that holds the attention of the audience with a strong storyline and defined events. This module will cover such primary writing elements as: arc, desire, motivation, conflict, and the clear delineation of theme.
· WRITING ECONOMICALLY - Number of characters, number of sets, extravagance of sets: all these are serious considerations for most commercial producers. Does the play require a casting director, or can it be done successfully by seasoned unknowns? Is there a chorus of thirty that can be pared down to two? Are you kidding yourself when you think one actor can play eight parts?
THE CURRICULUM (subject to change)
Noon-1:30pm - How to Write a Play that a Producer Can Love - taught by Diana Amsterdam
1:30pm-2pm - When and How to Submit Your Work - practical guidelines - taught by Diana Amsterdam
2:30pm -3pm - Cost and Other Commercial Considerations - taught by Diana Amsterdam
3pm-4:15pm - Getting to the Essence: A Good Synopsis and How to Pitch It - taught by Roy Havrilack
4:15pm-5:45pm - Identifying Your Market - an inter-active "pitch" session with feedback from Diana Amsterdam with Danna Call, Ken Waissman, Cheryl Wiesenfeld and others to be announced.
The workshop will take place at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street (below W. 3rd Street), NYC. The workshop fee is $175. ($25 off for current members of TRU). Apply by 3/1 and save $25. Payment by check may be mailed to Theater Resources Unlimited, 309 W. 104th Street 1D, New York, NY 10025. On-line payment by Paypal or by credit card is available at www.truonline.org/store-new.html.
Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) is a not-for-profit service organization that provides educational and support services for the performing arts with a focus on the business side of the arts. In particular, TRU helps producers, theater companies and self-producing artists navigate the business of making theater in the New York area and beyond, as well as providing networking opportunities. Programs include Boot Camps about producing skills, monthly educational panels, a play and musical developmental reading series, producer mentorships, an annual combined audition event, free workshops for actor members and a community newsletter of services, good, opportunities, ticket discounts and more. TRU also maintains a referral database of over 6000 arts professionals.
Programs of Theater Resources Unlimited are supported in part by public funds awarded through the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), as well as generous support from the Friar's National Foundation Association.
For more information about TRU membership, visit www.truonline.org or call 212-714-7628.
