TRU Presents Actors Resource Night And 'Speed Dating' 1/19

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU), in association with Weist Barron Studios and Paula J. Riley, presents an Actors Resource Night (and "Speed Dating") on Monday, January 19 at 7pm at Weist Barron Studios, 35 W. 45th Street, 6th floor, NYC. Actors will have the chance to meet an agent, a life coach, 2 business coaches, a solo performance coach, a vocal coach, a commercial coach, a website designer, a headshot photographer... ten resources in all, with three minutes to meet each before the bell rings and they have to move on.

"It's a good way to get inspired to put those New Year's Resolutions into action. Actors can meet resources and find out ways to better navigate the business in 2009," says TRU Actor Program Director Paula J. Riley. "And no, it's not really a date, just a cute way to meet some really helpful people."

So what's "Speed Dating?" No, it's nothing romantic. Is it an audition? No performing is required. Actors don't even have to sign up for "Speed Dating" to attend, network and enjoy the wine and refreshments. "Speed Dating" is a chance for actors to introduce themselves to the ten sponsoring hosts including Robert Blume, producer of the Drama Desk Awards and owner of an artists' management company and agency; as well as Gretchen Cryer, writer/performer of the legendary show "I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It in the Road" who wants to help actors get their own solo acts together. Other "dates" include coach & host Valerie Adami of Weist Barron, business coaches Jodie Bentley & Kevin Urban of The Savvy Actor, life coach Penelope Brackett of The Creative Seed, Bobby Holder of The Actor's Project NYC, Paul J. Michael of The Network, vocal coach Sally Morgan, creator of the Morganix Method, web designer Natalie Neckyfarow of Creative City Design and headshot photographer Lee Anne Simms.

ABOUT SPEED DATING. How does it work?
In this ongoing series of TRU actor evenings, there are ten stations each manned by a sponsor who offers a service. In groups of ten, actors each begin at a different station, spending three minutes finding out about the service offered or asking for advice, then move to the next station. As a thank you, each station offers a coupon for a discount or special offer (these offers are given only to people who go through Speed Dating). At the end of a thirty minute circuit, the next group of ten is brought in. In the meantime, refreshments are served, and the following opportunities are offered:

DISCUSSION GROUP
Headshot/resume evaluations and consultations with TRU Casting Director Catherine Lamm and TRU photographer Ellis Gaskell, as well as ongoing talks about audition tips and etiquette.

PHOTO RETOUCHING
Mike Canizares of Precision Photos will be on hand to offer free on-site photo retouching - bring a jpeg on a disc.

Sign-in starts at 7:00pm and the first "Speed Date" cycle is at 7:15. Admission is FREE for members of TRU; $10 for non-members. To reserve a space or to become a member of TRU, please call 212-714-7628 or e-mail TRUnltd@aol.com - RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Email reservations are preferred.

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 monthly educational panels, a play and musical developmental reading series, producer mentorships, business workshops, 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 5000 arts professionals.

Programs of Theater Resources Unlimited are supported in part by public funds awarded through the New York State Council on the Arts 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.

Photo: Jamie deRoy, Gretchen Cryer and Heather MacRae