TRU Hosts 'Writer-Producer Speed Date', 10/3

Writers often meet producers at a party and have two minutes to interest them in their work.  Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) offers twenty-two writers a chance to practice their pitching skills with real producers who are looking for new work. TRU's next WRITER-PRODUCER SPEED DATE will take place on Sunday, October 3, 2010 at 5:30pm and 6:30pm at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street (below W. 3rd Street), NYC. Commercial Broadway producers already scheduled to listen and respond to writer pitches include Pam Koslow (Jane Eyre, Jelly's Last Jam, Yank!), Ken Waissman (Grease, Torch Song Trilogy), Jane Dubin (The Norman Conquests revival, 39 Steps), Cheryl Wiesenfeld (Legally Blonde, A Steady Rain, The Exonerated) and Apples and Oranges Productions (Memphis, Hair), with six more to be announced.
 
"The producers probably won't offer options on the spot, but it's an opportunity to start developing relationships," said TRU president Bob Ost.  "Eleven producers sign on, from both the commercial and not-for-profit worlds, as well as eleven aspiring producers from TRU's mentorship program.  And writers receive invaluable coaching from experts, as well. And did we mention the wine and cheese?"
 
More than 60 aspiring playwrights have taken part in past Speed Dates and many strong relationships have been formed, with developmental readings as a result. Broadway producer Randall Wreghitt was intrigued enough by the work of West Virginia playwright Sean O'Leary that he went on to request and read every play that Sean has written. Producer Lary Brandt is developing for production a play by Michele Aldin-Kushner he found in the first Speed Date. Paul Adams of Emerging Artists Theatre found five of the eight musicals that were presented in his Notes from a Page Series of readings of new musicals last spring.
 
"Speaking as an out-of-town playwright I have to tell you that TRU's speed date accomplished as much for me in one evening as I accomplish in a year of blind script submissions. The quality of the people participating - playwrights and producers -- was impressive and the program's format of structured four-minute sessions with each producer was a godsend for me. When you created this concept of a concentrated four minutes devoted exclusively to the play and the producer, you liberated me from all those social bonding rituals at which I'm so awful. And I came away with the sense that my plays finally got the stage I've hoped they would receive," said playwright Sean O'Leary.
 
"We writers spend so much in our own little think tanks and the opportunity to meet so many interesting people - not even to mention the chance of having our work read, exposing ourselves to not just one but 22 producers is just invaluable! Everyone was kind, friendly and very positive - what a great energy in that building! In short - what you've done is awesome," said playwright Michele Aldin-Kushner.

ABOUT SPEED DATING. How does it work?
Eleven writers will arrive at 5:30, and we have two coaches, Samantha Jones and Grace Kiley, who will coach the writers on their presentations. Then at 6:30, they go into the Pitch Room to meet the producers - one at each of the stations. We ring a bell, writers have two minutes to pitch. We ring a second bell, producers have two minutes to respond and ask questions, or give feedback. Writers bring a packet with a synopsis, bio, cast breakdown and production requirements to leave with each of the producers. If the project interests the producer, he may request that you send a full script.
 
Meanwhile, group two is in the Coaching Room getting coached for an hour starting at 6:30. Second group goes into the Pitch Room at 7:30. We estimate that pitches and turnaround should take about 50 minutes total for all eleven. We will have wine and cheese afterwards, so although the pitch sessions will end at around 8:20, we hope writers and producers will stay and chat informally until 9pm or so.
 
Yikes! Eleven writers pitching to eleven producers at one time? Think of it as the "cocktail party" pitch where you have to hold someone's interest with dozens of conversations going on around you. A little chaotic perhaps, but true to life.
 
Applications are available at www.truonline.org/WriterSpeedDateApp.pdf, or download application as a Word document from www.truonline.org/WriterSpeedDateMay10.htm.  Admission is $50 for members of TRU; $75 for non-members.  To apply or to become a member of TRU, please call 212-714-7628 or e-mail TRUnltd@aol.com. This is a competitive application process, limited to 22 writers. Applications must be received by September 20.  Email applications are preferred.
 
Other upcoming TRU workshops include Pitching & Presentation Skills for Producers and Writers with Gillen Goll and Sharon Albert on Sunday September 26; Practical Playwriting: How to Write for Commercial Production led by Diana Amsterdam of the Drama Centre on Saturday October 16; and a new Director-Writer Communications Lab on Saturday October 23.  Details about all TRU programs can be found online at www.truonline.org.
 
TRU was founded in 1992 to promote a spirit of cooperation and support within the general theater community by providing information and a variety of entertainment-related services and resources that strengthen the business capability of producing organizations, individual producers, self-Producing Artists and other theater professionals. The company holds monthly seminars on a wide range of subjects important to theatrical producers and artistic directors conducted by panels of experts from both the commercial and not-for-profit segments of Broadway, Off-Broadway and the motion picture industry.   TRU also publishes a monthly email community newsletter of services, goods and productions.  In addition, TRU created the TRU VOICES Annual New Play Reading Series and the TRU VOICES Annual New Musicals Reading Series in which TRU underwrites developmental readings of new works for theater.  In 2001, TRU began giving annual scholarships to The Commercial Theater Institute, to encourage the development of aspiring producers, created a Producer Mentoring Program whose mentors are among the most prominent producers and general managers in New York theater, and presents Producer Boot Camp workshops to help aspirants develop the business skills they need.  In March '08, TRU was associate producer of its first Equity showcase, Missives at 59E59 Theatre, a play that was developed in the 2006 TRU reading series.  TRU programs for actors include an Annual Audition Event, Resource Nights and "Speed Dating" as well as free monthly actor events, including workshops.
 
Programs of Theater Resources Unlimited are supported in part by public funds awarded through the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, 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.