TRU Bi-Monthly Update 03/20

TRU

BI-MONTHLY

UPDATE

Ah, Spring is here at last ...
and look what's finally sprung up:

The TRU (BI-)MONTHLY UPDATE 03/20

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The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this:
A human creature born abnormally, inhumanely sensitive.
To them a touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, and failure is death.
Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create --
so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings
or something of meaning, their very breath is cut off...
They must create, must pour out creation.
By some strange, unknown, inward urgency they are not really alive unless they are creating.
~Pearl S. Buck

The white, the Hispanic, the black, the Arab, the Jew, the woman, the Native American,
the small farmer, the businessperson, the environmentalist, the peace activist,
the young, the old, the lesbian, the gay and the disabled make up the American quilt.
~ Jesse Jackson

[This and other quotes referring to "the disabled" are courtesy of Stephanie Barton-Farcas.
Please join us for our "Handicap or Asset" panel this Tuesday evening. Click here. ]

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Editor: Bob Ost
Listings editor: Rob Lester
Casting editor: Liz Burke
Associate editor: Lisa Barri

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Editorial: Click here for some winter thoughts on the first day of spring:
striving for perfection in an imperfect world.

Click here for "Nice things happen to TRU friends":
Fran Handman, Jack Dyville, Rob Cardazone, Shana Solomon,
Van Dean and Hillary Cutter, Eva Price,
Sandi Durell, Jessica Morris and Kris Holz, "Dr." Sue Horowitz

Click here for Highlights of the Week:
a few special listings to win you over.
Plus some Deals you just gotta love.

Click here to go to the Summary of postings (the grid),
or click right to your category of interest:

TRU Opportunities	Living Situations
Goods/Help Wanted:	Services/Goods Offered
xxReaching Out xxCasting About xxThe Writers' Block xxTechnically Speaking	Word of Mouth Events/Theater Offerings Broadway/Off-Bway Discounts Non-Theater Events
Workshops/Classes	Space Patrol

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The winter Olympics got me thinking a lot about how really hard we tend to be on ourselves. Okay, I know the whole point is that this is a world-class competition. The best of the best. The pinnacle of human potential. Yet I am constantly dismayed at how brutally these talented athletes are judged. As if their remarkable prowess weren't astonishing enough without breaking world records; as if it weren't breathtaking enough to watch them skate, ski, skateboard and seduce us with extraordinary acts of physical strength and grace that far exceed anything the rest of us are remotely capable of.

Mistakes are not permitted. Perfection is required. And if Sasha Cohen should have a small fall, it nearly negates the amazing talent she displays in the rest of her program. And how disappointed the commentators sound as they speak of her "once again not living up to her potential"! These clucking, disapproving parents letting us know that the children have let us all down again.

I suppose that is what the Olympics is about. Perfection. Trouble is, we seem to live our lives according to the same damnably unattainable principles. As a society, we are so unforgiving of human flaws, so impatient with modest achievement, so demanding of Olympic levels of success. Olympus was where the gods lived, and while it is noble to aspire to godliness, is it really the reason why we're all here on this earth? In human form?

Sadly, even art, that most human form of expression, is subject to the same stringently god-like judgments. We have even invented professional judges called critics who we place on lofty pedestals so we can look up while they shame us with their wagging fingers. And we have turned art into business and placed expectations of profit on our creativity. I recall a NY Times article many years ago in which playwright Marsha Norman bemoaned the "home run mentality" of American theater. Every time we step up to the plate, we are required to hit one out of the ball park. There is no longer an acceptance of modest achievement, an appreciation of a well-batted single. Consequently, the pressure on most of us artists is so great that we have far too little opportunity to grow and develop.

We need permission to make mistakes, to be far less than perfect. And we need to find a community, a society, a government, an audience that cheers us on enthusiastically even if we have a momentary Sasha Cohen-like fall at some point in our long program.

Of course, while we wait for the world to grow kinder and gentler, we could take a more sympathetic view of ourselves. Like Salieri jealously raging at being reduced by posterity to a minor talent, we fail to notice what we have actually accomplished. We dismiss our small victories and overlook perfectly fine, rich and rewarding moments of achievement.

Certainly let us all continue to aspire - "Or what's a heaven for?" as Robert Browning asked - but with the understanding that perfection is probably an impossibie illusion; and quantifiable, measurable judgments of success are often just opinions when you come right down to it. Even the different Olympic judges score the same performances differently, and those official sounding point scores simply give an aura of tangibility to something that may not be quite so tangible. And who the hell is Simon Cowell anyway?

When you come right down to it, why should we even define ourselves by what we achieve? It is the quality of our relationships, not the quality of our accomplishments, that defines our worth. It is who we are, not just what we do, that matters.

But I still dream of winning that Tony Award.

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Last chance to sign up as an auditor for the Audition Weekend. We now have 44 producing companies reserved for the March 25-26 TRU Audition Event. We have moved to a larger space to accommodate more companies, so there's stlll room for you! The weekend will run from 9:30am to 5:50pm on Saturday and Sunday, at the Abingdon Theater, 312 W. 36th Street, 1st floor.

If you are interested in sitting in on these two days of auditions, and seeing more than 190 performers, you must respond soon. Priority spots are given to TRU members, but remaining spots will be filled on a first-to-email us basis. So email us already, at trunltd@aol.com with "I want to be an auditor" as your header.

And speaking of the Abingdon Theatre, this weekend is a great chance for you to check out their beautiful 99-seat June Havoc Theatre. They also have a smaller black box, and a rehearsal studio that's great for readings. Read more at Space Patrol.

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Highlights of the week. We're tackling a tough topic this week. But we think you will be inspired and enlightened. Please join us Tuesday night for "Handicap or Asset: The Advantages and Ease of Working with the Disabled." It's a fascinating and passionate panel that may surprise you. Please reserve and join us, and show your support for diversity in this tough business of ours. Click here for details.

Attention all actors (and others): Shape up! My aerobics instructor Jessica is offering a TRU discount for her Sunday classes, plus her partner Olivia's yoga classes. Jessica's terrific, and I highly recommend her. And she thinks the world of Olivia. So try the classes, and let me know what you think. (see Goods/Services Offered)

I recommend you get into shape for the upcoming TRU Audition (or any audition). Roger Hendricks Simon is offering coaching sessions for just $25 for TRU Auditioners, and Caroline Thomas is offering a 10% discount. And don't forget our friend Catherine Lamm (chenrylamm@yahoo.co.uk). Agent and TRU friend Lewis Chambers is offering a series of four classes with a TRU discount. He has 38 years of experience, and I know him to be a good-hearted, wise and kind man. Will he be the right teacher for you? Well, it's like a therapist - meet him and see if you click. (see Workshops/Classes) And by the way, my fine actor friends, the bulk of our casting notices now come in a separate Actors Update; if you don't already get it, email me with the subject header "Update this actor!" and I'll add you to the list. And for goodness sake, I know you have things on your mind. ... Also, consider getting new headshots done by a fashion photographer. See Goods/Services Offered. And why don't you Talk Back to Back Stage? They really want to hear from you (and they'll even pay). See TRU Opportunities.

Everyone else: Catch a reading of Angry Girl Gang musical tonight and tomorrow. See Theater Events. Or a Drama Desk panel tonight on audience development, at Tony's DaNapoli Restaurant. Great food, great panel! (see TRU Opportunities) Produce a Bollywood review, manage the Metropolitan Playhouse or direct one of Laurence Evans one-act plays (see Goods/Help Wanted)... Find lots of new listings new listings at Writers Block, including an extension of the deadline for the Midtown International Theatre Festival. And don't forget to read about the Abingdon Theatre in Space Patrol. And it's a good week for Tech work: six new postings for stage managers, a costume designer and others at Technically Speaking!

We sure wish more of you would take advantage of the TRU Deals! Make us look good, and actually USE these ticket discounts, why dontcha? C'mon ... check your date book, open your wallet, pull out your credit card, go to the websites or pick up the phone - like today - and buy your discounted TRU Deal. The more you buy, the more deals we get!

Cross this bridge when you get to it: a TRU discount on Sarah Jones' consistently well-reviewed Bridge & Tunnel... Now That You've Seen Me Naked isn't embarrassed to tempt you with a 50% dicount ... the National Comedy Theatre is offering an exclusive TRU discount to their weekend improv nights.... Irish Arts Center has an exclusive discount for us on A Night in November. In March.... TRU friend Fred Caruso is following his success with NEWsical The Musical with a musical romance called I Love You Because, and there's a Hot Deal available... Don't forget to grab yourself a winning ticket for Bingo! by TRU friends Ilene Reid and Michael Heitzman... (Note: slightly better discounts for Bingo! are available to TRU members through MGM Consulting's ticket program). Click for the TRU Deals now!

So what else is new? Go to the Grid, or click a category of interest: TRU Opportunities... TRU Link-Up.... Technically Speaking.... Goods/Services Offered... Space Patrol.... Living Situations.... Theater/Events ... Beyond the Boroughs ...

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Nice things happen to TRU friends. How about bad musicals happen to TRU friends ... as in the Bad Musical Festival? Well, it's actually very nice that Fran Handman has had her piece invited into the festival. The name of the song/sketch is If You Were a Virgo Ascending, sketch and lyrics by Fran Handman, music by William Niederkorn. Fran was recently a finalist in the TRU Voices New Musicals Reading Series for her show The Adding Machine, and her series director Robert McMaster will be helming once again downtown.... And Jack Dyville's got it bad, too. He writes: Thanks for the email about needing directors for the Bad Musical Festival. I went down and met with Melba after sending my resume and now I am directing The Sound of Wizards which is a parody of (what else?) The Sound of Music crossed with Wizard of Oz. It spoofs the fact that George W needs a BRAIN and new BALLS!!! And I've decided to go a step further on this parody concept by having all the performers play a 'Sweeny Todd-like Instrument!' However we will only be putting together a good ole southern boys 'Kitchen Band'.... We're SO-O-O Ba-a-ad! We also sent the festival these TRU directors: Rob Cardazone (directing Desiree of Beverly Hills) and Shana Solomon (directing The Beautiful Brown Danube).

From Bad to Good: we made a match made in heaven... we put Van Hill Entertainment together with the musical Saint Heaven for our recent Musicals Reading Series, and now Van Dean and Hillary Cutter are moving the show into a next step production. The World Premiere production of Saint Heaven will be at the Truglia Theater, a 700 seat theater in Stamford Center for the Arts' Rich Forum theater complex located in the heart of downtown Stamford, CT. The run is currently scheduled from June 1st - June 11th.... More news from the recent TRU Musicals Series: Eva Price tells us that Sunfish will be presented at The Alliance Theater in Atlanta as part of the Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition, on April 13th at 7pm. She writes: "The night you witnessed the magic of Sunfish in NYC, it was a monumental night for the Sunfish creative team as well. With your response, reaction, and feelings, you have helped us expand, realize, and develop the beauty and integrity of this sensational musical. It has grown, and the end result is even MORE amazing."

TRU Advisory Board member Sandi Durell advises us that her daughter is giving birth ... to a new book. She's actually due in the fall, and the offspring will be named "Been There, Done That, Kept the Jewelry". It's about relationships. Sandi also brags that her daughter's a PhD. with a new radio show that will be launching shortly. It's a call in/talk show. The book will be featured at the Washington, DC Book Fair in May. It comes out in stores in Sept/Oct. Sandi can be heard talking about her daughter's achievements in convenient New York locations starting ... well, now.

T.E.S.T. Theater was recently nominated for a grant, when a representative of The Josephine Foundation came to see their production of The Andersonville Trial. They think it's extra cool because they didn't even have to apply. The play was produced by TEST Theater founders and TRU members Jessica Morris and Kristofer Holz, and they found cast member Moti Margolin through the TRU Auditions.

Sue “Dr. Sue” Horowitz now hosts an Internet Radio Show: Creative Conversations.com It features interviews with creative, exciting people behind the hot shows, books, films, recordings… with smart, savvy advice to help you "Create the life you want!" Also great music to uplift your spirit! Look for it on Tribeca Radio.net: Tues-11am; Thurs - 9pm; Sun - 1pm. And coming up on May 13th, songwriter Sue and pianist partner Laura Paulman (the "New York Upbeats") will perform her original song "Celebrate Your Life" at the New York Sheet Music Society, Musicians Local 802, 322 W. 48th Street (between 8-9th Ave), NYC

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Remember that one of the advantages of a paid TRU membership is access to Broadway and off-Broadway ticket discounts from MGM Consulting. They currently have In the Continuum, Chicago, Light in the Piazza, The Producers, Phantom, Woman in White, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Jewtopia... AND 21 dates to the New York City Ballet - ONLY $25 for Orchestra seats That's a lot of reasons to join TRU.

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The bracketed date at the end of many postings indicates the date in which the posting was submitted. It looks like this: [10/30] (well hopefully it's more current)

If you don't read the Update every week, you might want to go to the TRU On-Line Newsletter to check for previous weeks' postings that may still be useful for you. Click the "NEWSLETTER" link in the navigation bar above.

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An alternative to high ticket prices: a TRU Deal produced by TRU friends Jack Batman and Greg Schaffert.
Click here for details, or click the artwork:

OPENING SUMMARY (the grid):
(click section links at paragraph ends to go right to the section you want)

MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION INTENSIVE

Featuring an Audition for Tim Marshall
Broadway agent with Bauman, Redanty and Schull

LEARN HOW TO MAKE AN IMPRESSIONS AND STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD
IN BROADWAY AUDITIONS. AND GET PRIVATE FEEDBACK ON YOUR AUDITION FROM
INDUSTRY EXPERTS BETSY CAPES, TIM MARSHALL, ANDREW BYRNE AND AMY ROGERS.

Starts April 5. Limited Availability.

Capes Coaching (646) 274-1514 www.capesco.com

Cabaret Deals

No cover. No minimum. No discounts this week.

Link: Cabaret Deals

TRU OPPORTUNITIES

Tough topic, amazing panel, inspiring evening: The Advantages and Ease of Working with the Disabled, TRU panel Tuesday!

Auditioners, your coach awaits: Simon says be prepared this weekend ... for a fraction of his usual price!

Caroline also offers a discount to TRU Aucitioners.

A world of services, shouldered for you by Fractured Atlas.

Drama Desk panel tonight (Monday) on Audience Development.

British-American group explores The Importance of Small Theater Companies.

BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange: Artists in Residence applications. Space grants, too!

Artist-Manager Partnerships from The Field.

... And hey, wanna write an article for the TRU Voice print newsletter?

Link: TRU Opportunities

Theater Deals of the Week

Half off? Why it's absolutely Naked!

Keepin' up with Jones: Sarah's astonishing Bridge & Tunnel, TRU discount, and a Tuesday talkback.

Funny thing about weekends: improv improved with an exclusive TRU discount.

Exclusive TRU discount on A Night in November. In March.

Budget tight? Skin Tight discount for TRU, coming in April.

Link: Theater Deals

DEAR TRU

Bobb and Gregg and Joan and Deborah and Elena and John and Ella and Jason and Vickie and Bruce and Caroline... I wish they all had met my buddy Wes.

And Caroline thinks we've proven the possibility of the impossible.

Link: Dear TRU

WRITER'S BLOCK

It's a festival, it's in midtown, and it's deadline is extended to 3/27.

New revue wants to review your comedy songs.

Injustice, human rights, diversity, social change = new annual arts festival.

Where in the world do new musicals come from? Cardiff, Wales, perhaps?

"Envision" yourself at a retreat for women writers. (Sorry, fellas.)

Turning in playthings for plays: competition for the under-18 set.

Multi-media musical wants to adopt a composer/lyricist..

Writers Block at Goods/Help Wanted

TRU LINK-UP

Catch of the day: theater company at South Street Seaport.

Something new a-brewing on the web: Tea Marie!

Link: TRU Link Up

REACHING OUT

Chicago needs LGBT education program director.

East West Players in LA needs employment access director. (If you know what this means, you can apply.)

Reaching Out at Goods/Help Wanted

GOODS/HELP WANTED
(general)

Good golly, John's latest folly: he's gone Bollywood. Wanna go with him?

Can you manage to be Metropolitan?

Director needed for two absurdist one-acts.

Link: Goods/Help Wanted

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

Tutu fabulous: costume designer for dance work.

Small midtown theater needs tech director/facilities manager. Hourly rate.

Adult supervision? Stage manager needed for kids company.

Merry Month of May needs tip-top troup of techies.

MultiStages needs experienced stage manager for AEA showcase.

Entire production crew needed for film.

Technically Speaking at Good/Help Wanted

CASTING ABOUT

For full Casting Notices, see www.truonline.org/ActorUpdate0304.htm or update your subscription and click the "I would like to receive special emails for actors" option.

Click here for the following STAGE listings:

Wanna Spoon in June? Non-union showcase needs a range of actors.

Link: Casting About at Goods/Help Wanted

If you want to get additional casting notices from us - and you DIDN'T get a special email of casting notices last week - email trunltd@aol.com with subject header "Casting, please". You must include your full name.

CASTING ABOUT

For full Casting Notices, see www.truonline.org/ActorUpdate0304.htm or update your subscription and click the "I would like to receive special emails for actors" option.

Click here for the following FILM/TV listings:

An actress can really go crazy with this horror film lead.

Film Academy student casting for a gay bar scene.

Click here for the following JUST DANCERS listings:

Company seeks theater or jazz dancers, one male, one female.

Click here for the following MODEL/PROMO listings:

Nothing new. But you still look fabulous, darling.

Link: Casting About at Goods/Help Wanted

GOODS/SERVICES OFFERED

Fashion photographer now accepting headshot clients.

We've worked out a special discount on a TRU workout, aerobic and yoga!

Don't forget to call The Set Recycling Hotline!

Link: Goods/Services Offered

LIVING SITUATIONS

Bedroom available way up on upper west side. (Worth the climb for the price.)

Beautiful furnished one-bedroom sublet in Park Slope.

Affordable one-bedroom in Greenpoint Brooklyn.

Heavenly apartment share in Hell's Kitchen.

Link: Living Situations

SPACE PATROL

Three beautiful spaces: Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex on West 36th Street.

ADDED 1/30! Really big rehearsal space for your really big show!

Link: Space Patrol

WORKSHOPS/CLASSES

And hast thou brushed up thine Shakespeare of late? Verily, $25 off for TRU!

Who can help you with your writing? Milk Can.

Link: Workshops/Classes

THEATER EVENTS

STILL HAPPENING

La Gran diva says farewell (makes us Vera sad).

More than just sheet music: April in Paris!.

— go to Events/Theater Offerings and find all things free and discounted

NON-THEATER EVENTS

Coming in May: all star benefit for Stella Adler Studio.

Non-Theater Events

NEW LISTINGS

Get Stone'd and Nick'd and laugh it off at 22 Below.

Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre travels all the way to June with it's FREE reading series.

Melting your heart: Metropolitan discount for TRU.

You'd be delinquent if you missed this free reading of new musical!

The Emergence of something new: opera, jazz, Joyce.

Free reading of trans-gender magic musical. (Call before the tickets disappear!)

John is weaving his Wallo-witchcraft, the first Monday of every month.

— go to Events/Theater Offerings and find all things free and discounted

BEYOND THE BOROUGHS

New:
Talk is cheap in Chicago.
NJ Rep's new script-in-hand reading series.

Larry's preaching his southern baptist comedy to the Brits.

Beyond the Boroughs

ONGOING EVENTS/OFFERINGS

They just keep ongoing ... and ongoing ... and ongoing ...

Ongoing Events/Offerings

Don't forget about our terrific Theatermania Gold Club special — NO ONE has a lower priced offer for the Gold Club than TRU!

WORD OF MOUTH

PS, she loved it. (So what did Barbara see that caused a Physical reaction?)

TRU Word of Mouth

RESTAURANT OFFERS!

We're starved for some new offers. Anyone want to ask their favorite restaurant to offer a TRU discount?

Restaurant Offers

Remember that one of the benefits of joining TRU as a paid member is our great Broadway and off-Broadway ticket discounts from MGM Consulting. Shows now available at VERY steep discounts: Chicago, Light in the Piazza, The Producers, Phantom, Woman in White, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Jewtopia, I Love You Because... AND 21 dates to the New York City Ballet - ONLY $25 for Orchestra seats

New hope: Altar Boyz discount is back... You'll love I Love You Because (because you save $37.50, among other reasons)... acclaimed Bridge & Tunnel is back... The Ultimate Drag Off... Discount for the Prom you can't miss ... and a whole list of Broadway and off-Broadway offers from HotDealsNYC.com

Hey, why you don't want us to list your website, and tell the world how great you are, is beyond me. When you get over your shyness, send your website URL (and a catchy lead-in blurb) to the TRU Link-up

And check out our On-Line Newsletter at www.truonline.org/newsletter.htm for oodles of Ongoing Offers.

- Dear TRU -

What is a soul? It's like electricity - we don't really know what it is,
but it's a force that can light a room.
~ Ray Charles

One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done.
~Marie Curie [courtesy of Amy Stoller]

I was very moved by your tribute to your friend Wesley Jones and I send you my heartfelt condolences on your tragic loss. A friendship takes a really long time to be forged in the fire of experience and habit and not even a very rich man can buy such a thing. That you said he was a year younger than you also struck me. We are all too young (if I may include myself). God Bless. ~Bobb Goldsteinn

All I can say is that I hope I merit a eulogy even half so fine from my friends. Thank you for sharing your joy and loss with us all. ~Gregg Lauterbach

My sincere condolences on the loss of your friend Wes. You write so movingly about your relationship with him. When it's my time to go, I hope you'll consider doing a eulogy as eloquent for me (and hopefully, from the stage of the Schoenfeld Theater or some other wonderful space!!) ~ Joan

I don’t know if this will reach you – but what a lovely testament to your friend Wes. Beautifully written, moving, and an important message for all to read. ~Deborah Vines

What an exquisite tribute to a friend! And what wonderful things it reveals about you! ~ Elena Kondracki

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend Wes's passing. What a sad thing to happen for Valentine's Day. ~John C.

So sorry to hear about the passing of your friend. Your tribute to him is very touching. ~Ella Smith

I just wanted to tell you I was touched by your heartfelt column about your dear friend Wes. Best belated Valentine's Day wishes to you and your partner. ~ Jason G.

What a wonderful tribute to your friend Wes. Hope you feel a source of comfort knowing your dear friend's soul has taken flight. My sincerest condolences for your loss. ~ Vickie

I have just read [the editorial] about your friend Wes. You have such a talent for the word. I have very teary eyes this morning and thank you for sharing your friendship with us all. Your [second] editorial is beautiful also. ~Bruce Robert Harris

My company is delighted to be part of the TRU family. And it is, indeed, a true family. There is so much downright meanness in show business, and you are proving the possibility of the impossible: namely
that in NYC, the frigid center of the 'overtly heartless industry,' one organization can give heart as well as total practicality to us gentle theatre folk who are in danger of turning to stone at the sight of Medusa.

I was very touched by your Valentine's Day message. I lost an extremely close friend recently whom I felt exactly the same way about. And my relationship with my husband, my third -we've been together now for 17 years - is deeply rooted like yours and Gary's. Love is the alchemist's gold. It takes the hardest work and we are blessed to have the capacity for the endeavor. ~Caroline Thomas, Total Theatre Lab

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The next meeting of Theater Resources Unlimited will be
Tuesday evening, March 21st, 7:30pm
Handicap or Asset:
The Advantages and Ease of Working with the Disabled
With Stephanie Barton-Farcas, artistic director of Nicu's Spoon; Christine Bruno, disability advocate for the Nontraditional Casting Project; Anita Hollander, East Coast National Chair AFTRA Performers With Disabilities; Jason Matthews, Director of Admissions, National Theater Workshop for the Handicapped); June Rachelson-Ospa, producer/writer (Welcome to Tourettaville!); Ike Schambelin, artistic director Theater by the Blind; Dario Vaccaro, dancer/choreographer (Torino Paralympics, David Parsons dance); Garrett Zuercher, actor/writer (Huck Finn in Big River tour).

We'll discuss what accommodations are needed to hire the disabled, and how the costs are surprisingly nominal and outweigh the benefit of working with some extraordinary talent. Plus the added dimension that can be brought to a work through non-traditional casting.

Snapple Theater Center (Duffy Theater), 1627 Broadway at 50th Street, 3rd fl. (handicap elevator entrance around the corner, 210 W. 50th Street)

For an online Podcast of the September panel (not October, as listed on the Podcast site) on Fundraising with More Results and Less Effort - click here

UPCOMING PANELS:

Wednesday evening April 26, 7:30 pm:
Maximum Exposure on a Minimum Budget:
Smart Ways to Market Yourself and Your Production.
When you're on a limited budget, where is your money best spent... effective ways to use the internet to gain visibility: emails and website presence... how important are those reviews?... alternative ways to market: special promotions, barter and more. Panelists to include: Darren Sussman, founder/president and Alison Albeck, senior account executive of Theatermania.com; Beck Lee, publicist with Media Blitz Inc.; Hugh Hysell of HHC Communications. Details to follow.

Doors open at 7:30pm for networking and refreshments; panel starts promptly at 8:00pm. FREE for TRU members; $10 for non-members. Please call at least a day in advance for reservations: 212.714.7628; or e-mail TRUnltd@aol.com
The Producers Club, Crown Theater, 358 W. 44th Street

Wednesday evening, May 24th, 7:30 pm:
Taking Care of Business:
Everything You Need to Know
to Produce Yourself.
Produced in association with MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabaret). A primer for self-producing performers. Because it takes more than talent to make it in this business. Tips on finding the right venues and booking yourself, from cabaret to concert hall... effective ways to market your show... how to budget smartly... photography and press packets... effective use of the internet... getting and using reviews... and more. Co-moderated by Richard Skipper, entertainer/self-producer. Scheduled panelists (subject to availability): Margot Astrachan, producer; Annie Chadwick, Up-to-Date Theatricals, career consultant; Steve Lutvak, songwriter/performer; Carolyn Montgomery, MAC Award winning performer/self-producer; Jana Robbins, producer (Little Women, I Love You Because...), performer (Gypsy, Tale of ther Allergist's Wife).
Theatre Row Theatres, Studio Theatre, 410 W. 42nd Street, 4th floor

June date to be confirmed, 7:30 pm:
Deconstruction and Reconstruction:
The Razing and Raising of Off-Off-Broadway.
Some theater companies who have recently lost their theaters will talk about their experiences losing their homes and finding new ones. And some people who are building new theater spaces will talk about how to find a promising space and what goes into renovating and running it.

Tuesday evening, July 18th, 7:30 pm:
"I Produce Dead People" ...
The Challenges of Bringing the Classics to Life.
Advantages and disadvantages of working with large casts... the challenges of language... researching and understanding the details of period... creating period feeling through design... do you stay true to the author, or bring out contemporary relevance in the text?... how do you present a classic that has been done and seen a hundred times before, and make it your own?... where does your audience come from? Panelists (subject to availability): Jesse Berger of Red Bull Theater, Lisa Barnes of Classic Stage Company, Seth Duerr of York Shakespeare, Julie Halpern of Lovestreet Theater, Alexa Kelly of Pulse Ensemble Theatre, Joanne Zipay of Judith Shakespeare.

WHAT PANEL TOPICS WOULD YOU LIKE US TO CONSIDER?