TRU to Host New 'Writer-Producer Speed Date' Next Month at NOLA Rehearsal Studio

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents the next Writer-Producer Speed Date on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at 5:30pm at NOLA Rehearsal Studio, 244 W. 54th Street, 11th floor, NYC. This unique program is designed to help playwrights master The Art of the Pitch and gain confidence in talking about their work.

If accepted into the program, the cost is $70 for TRU members and $85 for non-members. For more details, visit truonline.org/events/writer-speed-date-06-17.

You meet a producer at a party, and have two minutes to interest him in your work. Do you have the skill to sell yourself? Here's a chance to practice pitching with real producers who are open to and looking for new work. Okay, they probably won't option you on the spot, but you'll meet them and have the opportunity to start developing a relationship. And that's what this business is all about. Relationships.

Eleven producers are lined up, from both the commercial and not-for-profit worlds, all with an interest in new projects; there also may be up to eleven aspiring producers from TRU's Producer Development program and the professional community. So participants will be pitching to as many as 22 producers in total! Come with a willingness to learn, because the real value is the chance to practice pitching. And attendees will get invaluable coaching from experts, as well.

Confirmed producers include Margot Astrachan, producer (A Gentleman's Guide..., Ghost the musical, Around the World in 80 Days, Nice Work If You Can Get It, On a Clear Day...); Evan Bernardin, producer/general manager (Nancy & Tonya: The Rock Opera (NYMF), What Do Critics Know? (NYMF), We Are The Tigers and The Dodgers);Doug Denoff, producer (Broadway: 39 Steps, Nice Work if You Can Get It, Fiddler on the Roof revival, Off-Broadway: Clever Little Lies); Sarahbeth Grossman, producer (Indecent, An American in Paris Broadway, National Tour & West End; Ann, Stick Fly, Dames at Sea Broadway revival); Jim Kierstead, producer (Indecent, Natasha Pierre..., Sunset Boulevard, Kinky Boots, Waitress, Yank!); David Vernon Lustig/No Filter Productions (Cedar Street, American Pastime); Veronique Ory, artistic director of Athena Theatre Company; Daryl Sledge/Mother's Boy Productions, film and off-Broadway producer (Fried Chicken and Latkes; upcoming: Pound for Pound; plus films in development); Ken Waissman, producer (original Grease, Torch Song Trilogy, Agnes of God, current Josephine the musical); Dauna Williams, producer (Broadway: Scottsboro Boys); Frank Zuback, commercial producer (Taking Leave, American Soldier, Roof of the World). Eight additional producers are already on board as well.

To apply, visit truonline.org/events/writer-speed-date-06-17 to download an application, then email the completed application to TRUStaff1@gmail.com. Evening limited to 22 writers, deadline to apply is June 14, 2017.

Theater Resources Unlimited(TRU) is the leading network for developing theater professionals, a twenty-four 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 the arts. 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; 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, How to Write a Musical That Works and a Director-Writer Communications Lab; programs for actors include the Annual Combined Audition, Resource Nights and "Speed Dating" as well as actor workshops.

Programs of Theater Resources Unlimited are supported in part by public funds awarded through the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, 9th district former Council Member Inez Dickens; and with support from the Montage Foundation and the Friars National Association Foundation.

For more information about TRU membership and programs, visit www.truonline.org or call 212 714-7628.