TRU Writer Speed Date

The writers loved it, the producers were impressed. So we're doing it again!
Here's a chance to pitch your work to a roomful of serious producers ...
TRU Writer-Producer Speed Date
(The Art of the Pitch)
No, it's not really a "date." It's a quick way to meet over a dozen producers -
from beginner to Broadway level - and practice your pitching skills.
(No, we're not talkin' baseball.)

NEXT SPEED DATE WILL BE IN SEPTEMBER.
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED NOW.
Click here for the application in Word format.
Click here for application as a PDF.
Email application to TRUnltd@aol.com
Evening limited to 22 writers.

"Thank you so much for the great Speed Date evening. It was a blast and such a great opportunity to meet with the producers. They were incredibly open and gracious and it meant a lot to all of us nervous first-time "daters." The experience of pitching in that format was really helpful in getting across what our story was in a short, concise manner, finding a way to convey it passionately, and making sure our intentions were clear. Thanks, also, to our coach Karen. She was amazing and cut and slashed away at our long, drawn out speeches.... Your efforts on behalf of writers and producers are greatly appreciated." ~Marylee Martin, writer

"Speaking as an out-of-town playwright I have to tell you that TRU’s writer/producer speed date program 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. Frankly, I’m a hopeless klutz at parties and other social situations where meetings with producers might happen casually or spontaneously, so 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, however brief it was, my plays finally got the stage I’ve hoped they would receive. I hope that, if you have more writer/producer speed dates, I can participate again." ~Sean O’Leary, writer

"Thank you so much for this experience. As you well know 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! On a personal note, I've always been intimidated by the verbal pitch (my brain freezes - now what was my play about?) so last night for me was a personal triumph. In short - what you've done is awesome." ~Michele Aldin-Kushner, writer

"Thank you for making tonight happen and giving me an opportunity to meet so many accomplished producers. A special tip of the hat to Jane whose coaching session was so helpful. I think my pitch was strong - so much stronger than it would have been - and that's the important thing." ~John Doble

"Thanks for a fabulous "Speed Dating" event. I think the most helpful part of it was to get my collaborator, Wayne Barker, and I on the same page about exactly how to pitch our show and what to highlight when we talk about it together. Jane, our coach, was amazingly helpful and calming. By the end of the pitching hour, I was exhausted but enthused by the response to our pitch. You organized a great event and both Wayne and I look forward to participating in more TRU events in the future." ~Donna Kaz and Wayne Barker

"The producers were all engaging and supportive, and asked very concrete questions about cast and orchestra size, marketing opportunities, who's the audience, what other shows are like our show. As we worked our away around the circle, the pitch got more and more clear and concrete. Great fun - do it if you can!" ~Mark Sutton-Smith

"It was quite an amazing experience and quite helpful to the playwright. It is wonderful that there is an organization like TRU seeking to forward the interests of creative artists and the producers who bring their work to the stage." ~Marshall Tarley

"A wow of a thank you for Speed Dating! It was so helpful! First, the clear tight organization forced performance energy. Then Jane made each of us better moments before we went on. Then to have these incredible theater people focussed on me and my play!! They asked excellent, provocative questions. A gift to all of us." ~Mickey Bolmer

"I thought the speed date was one of the best learning experiences I have ever had." ~ Toni Hart

Sunday evening June 14th at 5:30 and 6:30pm.
The Players Theatre, 115 Macdougal Street (below West 3rd)

We had eleven great producers lined up, including:

Jean Cheever/Tom Polum - Broadway producer team
Jane Dubin - Broadway/off-Broadway producer
Pam Koslow - Broadway producer
Cheryl Wiesenfeld - Broadway producer
Woodie King Jr. - producer, artistic director New Federal Theatre
Mike Roderick - off-Broadway and showcase producer
Richmond Shepard - theater owner/off-Broadway producer
Sheila Speller - developing new works
Cynthia Stillwell - new play development
Michael Leland - indie producer/director, here and Philadelphia
Alma Villegas - indie director/producer

Click here for producer bios.
Click here for the May Speed Date producers.

Click here for the application in Word format (preferred).
Click here for application as a PDF.
Email application to TRUnltd@aol.com
6/14 is FILLED but you may submit now for September 26th Speed Date.

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 your 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. We'll have eleven producers lined up, from both the commercial and not-for-profit worlds, all with an interest in new projects; we also have eleven aspiring producers from our mentorship program. So you'll be pitching to 22 producers in total!

Come with a willingness to learn, because the real value is the chance to practice your pitching. And you'll be getting invaluable coaching from experts, as well. And did we mention the wine and cheese afterwards? Click here to meet the producers.

ABOUT SPEED DATING. How does it work? 11 writers will arrive at 5:30, and we have two coaches coming 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.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: A one-page (maximum) synopsis, a one-page writer/theater resume or bio, production history (including reviews), set and cast breakdown. You will need 22 sets, one for each of the producers. Make them nice - it's part of that all-important first impression.

ABOUT THE COACHES: we are bringing in two professional coaches to wotk with each writer on vocal technique, presentation skills and content. Click here to read about Grace Kiley and Jane Petrov.

NOT EVERYONE WILL BE ACCEPTED. We will judge your application based on the viability of the project, your experience as a writer and the specific interests of the participating producers. If accepted into the program, the cost is $50 for TRU members and $75 for non-members (and yes, you can always join as a member to qualify for the discount).

Click here for the application in Word format.
Click here for application as a PDF.
Email application to TRUnltd@aol.com
Evening limited to 22 writers.

Click to return to top of page.

THE PRODUCERS - confirmed as of 4/30 (three more to come)
	JEAN CHEEVER/TOM POLUM are currently producing the New York premiere of The Toxic Avenger, a musical comedy about the first superhero from New Jersey by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change) and David Bryan (keyboardist and founding member of Bon Jovi) and directed by Tony Award-winner John Rando; co-producing Last Call, a musical documentary by Broadway director Christopher Ashley (Xanadu, Rocky Horror Show, All Shook Up) and developing musical comedies Mambo Italiano (based on the Canadian film starring Paul Sorvino) and Zombie Honeymoon; and developing other musicals Heloise and Abelard and The Trials of Phillis Wheatley. Past credits include Broadway’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony nomination for Best Musical) and All Shook Up.
JANE DUBIN is the President of DOUBLE PLAY CONNECTIONS, a theatrical production and management company committed to supporting emerging artists & playwrights in the creation and development of new works. Jane is a graduate of the Commercial Theatre Institute's 14 week (NYC) and O’Neill Center Intensive (CT) Producing Workshops and a member of TRU’s Producer Mentorship Program. Currently: Broadway: The Norman Conquests (7 TONY nominations, winner - Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Best Play Revival); Off-Broadway: Groundswell, starring Larry Bryggman, David Lansbury and Souleymane Sy Savane; Beebo Brinker Chronicles at 37 Arts (2008 GLAAD Media Award for Theatre). Other: OPA! at TBG Theatre (Best Commercial Production, MITF 2008; TRU Voices Award for Most Promising New Musical 2007), Take Me America by Bill Nabel and Bob Christianson (Best Musical, MITF 2007), Count Down, by Dominique Cieri, at the Bank Street Theatre and MentalPause by Margaret Liston, at the WorkShop Theatre (MITF 2006) and Society Hill Playhouse in Philadelphia. Jane was a member of the August Wilson Group, a producer of the Tony-nominated Radio Golf on Broadway. www.DoublePlayConnections.com "Quality is paramount, but I have interest in commercial and non-commercial ventures, plays and musicals, etc. I am open to most anything, prefer plays at this point and playwrights who have been produced before (on any level)."
	WOODIE KING JR. - essayist, short-story writer, anthologist, dramatist, scriptwriter for film and television, producer, director, actor, and contributor to the Black Arts movement. In 1970, King founded the New Federal Theatre, based at the Henry Street Settlement. The New Federal Theatre (NFT), named after the Harlem-based, government-funded troupe of the 1930s, has been King's base of operations. King envisioned the NFT as a community-based theater that promoted the work of writers from diverse ethnic backgrounds and offered it to the community for free admission. The no-admission policy had to be abandoned in the late 1970s, but the organization has remained committed to seeking out the work of minority playwrights, particularly new black writers, whenever possible. Among the playwrights whose work King produced have been Ron Milner, Ed Bullins, Amiri Baraka, and Ntozake Shange. Besides his work with the NFT, King produced a number of plays written by African American writers commercially, including J.E. Franklin's Black Girl (1971), Prodigal Sister (1974) and Tome Cole's Medal of Honor Rag (1976). Other 1970s plays King either directed or produced, either at the NFT or elsewhere, included Milner's What the Winesellers Buy (1973), Athol Fugard's Sizwe Banzi Is Dead (1976), and Shange's For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf (1978). In 1980, King was the executive producer of Reggae, a Broadway musical that ran at the Biltmore Theatre. He won the 1986 Audelco Award for his direction of Stephen Taylor's Appear and Show Cause. His Broadway production of Milner's Checkmates earned King the NAACP's 1987-88 Image Award for Best Director. King remained just as active through the 1990s. In 1993, he won Audelco Awards for Best Director and Best Play of the Year for Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil. Other productions of note during the decade included Mudtracks by Regina Taylor at Ensemble Studio Theatre in 1994, A Raisin in the Sun at The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta the same year, and Joe Turner's Come and Gone at Brooklyn College during the 1996-97 season. In 1997, King received an Obie Award for Sustained Achievement.
	PAMELA KOSLOW co-produced JANE EYRE THE MUSICAL at the Brooks Atkinson Theater in NY, having shepherded the project from a workshop in Wichita, Kansas, to a production in Toronto, Canada to one at The La Jolla Playhouse in California and finally to Broadway. Her additional Broadway credits include the Tony® Award-winning musical JELLY'S LAST JAM written by George C. Wolfe and starring Gregory Hines. Ms. Koslow produced FLOATING RHODA AND THE GLUEMAN written by Eve Ensler, author of the long-running and internationally–acclaimed VAGINA MONOLOGUES. She served as executive producer for HANDSHAKE, a new American play premiered off Broadway in Manhattan and was a producing consultant for THE HENRY PROJECT, based on the music of Henry Mancini, conceived and directed by Otis Sallid. Other producing credits include SMART ALECK, MONA ROGERS, and HOW I GOT THAT STORY. Her most recent production was CAPTAIN LOUIE, based on the children’s book by Ezra Jack Keats, music by Stephen Schwartz, presented at The York Theater in Manhattan. Currently working on YANK, the musical, for a production at the York Theater. Ms. Koslow was a member of The Tony Management Committee, which considers the eligibility of Broadway shows for Tony Award nominations. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Manhattan Class Company and The Second Stage Theater; both highly regarded not-for-profit theater companies. She now serves on the board of The American Tap Dance Foundation. She also served as the executive producer for the 2001 FIFI Awards, a gala awards ceremony and dinner for The American Fragrance Foundation presented at Radio City Music Hall.
	MICHAEL LELAND Michael LeLand has worked as an actor, singer, writer, theater educator, producer, choreographer and director in New York City and in his hometown of Philadelphia for over fifteen years. Mr. LeLand has produced over forty theatrical productions and ran Theatre Double’s two-theatre complex on Walnut Street in Philadelphia for four years Mr. LeLand has helped developed a dozen new plays that have received professional productions, including Langston Hughes: An American Celebration, Theatre Double’s Just The Boys, Theatre Double’s Jason and Medea, Theatre Double's . . .And The Sky Can Still Fall on Our Heads, Slipping by Yvonne Delet, Gypsy Wagon by Ed Shockley. He also developed and wrote lyrics for the full length children’s musicals The Witch and the Magic Mountain, Nsume Namlou: The Stories of My People, Magic Bookshop: The Snow Queen and The Magic Bookshop Inside the World of Jack and the Beanstalk. Mr. LeLand helped create Just the Boys, a Theatre Double collaboration published by Simon and Schuster in Action: the Nuyorican Poet’s Café Theatre Festival. Portions of his production, The Witch and the Magic Mountain, produced by Freedom Theatre, were performed at the Barrymore Awards and for former Mayor of Philadelphia, Edward Rendell. In April 1998, Lincoln Center Theatre named Mr. LeLand to the Directors Lab. He was also one of only twelve directors selected by the Lincoln Center Directors’ Lab to be showcased at Here Center for Contemporary Arts in the American Living Room Series. Mr. LeLand had the honor of directed Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award Winner, and Academy Award nominee Jason Miller in his one man play Barrymore’s Ghost. "Small cast quirky plays. Similar to work on Showtime and HBO."
	MICHAEL RODERICK is currently represented off-Broadway as associate producer of the rock romance Rooms. He started Small Pond Entertainment five years ago when he found that it was virtually impossible for an artist to be at their best when they also had to produce. He developed a system for the advancement of a producing organization to be the umbrella for shows that lacked producers. Over the years Small Pond has become a major name in the NYC Theatre Community having presented shows in numerous venues and with hundreds of different artists. As Artistic Director, Michael has produced over 30 shows since his arrival in NY in September 2002. He has also been the organizer of networking events that have included representatives from The New York Musical Theatre Festival, Fractured Atlas, and RWS casting and Associates. He holds a BA in Secondary Ed English and Theatre performance from Rhode Island College and an MA from NYU in Educational Theatre Colleges and Communities. Michael also teaches English at LaSalle Academy where he is the head of the drama program. He has written 15 plays and his play "I'll do it Tomorrow" will be published in the 2004- 2005 Best American Short Plays published by Applause books. www.smallpondentertainment.com
	RICHMOND SHEPARD: actor, writer, director, producer, Mime, has been active in Theatre and Film for over 50 years. He performed in over 100 television shows and in many films, and produced over forty plays, directing or starring in many of them. He has directed 30 short films and two features, the last "Gurneyman" co-starring David Arquette. He produces, directs and/or performs at the off-Broadway Richmond Shepard Theatre on 26th & 2nd in NYC-- recently: directed Sartre’s “No Exit” and Ronald Ribman’s “Cold Storage.” June ’09 he produces and directs the New York premiere of “The Funeral Director’s Wife,” and fall of ’09 schedule includes two new plays, a musical and a feature film.
	SHEILA SPELLER is a Producer and Business Consultant for Theatre. Sheila produced The Maids (Off-Off-Broadway, 1991), Equity Staged Readings of The Awakening of Angel DeLuna (2007) and ...Another Man's Poison (2008). She is currently in preparation to produce full productions for two of the five plays that she has in development (2009). For theatre clients, she develops Business Plans customized for producers to raise capital and Presentation Packages for producers and theatre productions. In addition, she produces industry-related events. Other: TRU Producer Mentorship Program, graduate of the Commercial Theatre Institute, Metropolitan College of New York Media Management MBA, past Board Member New York Coalition of Professional Women in the Arts and Media VP Communications, member of New York Women in Film and Television.
	CYNTHIA FRITTS STILLWELL, partner STILLWELL-LESTER, a full-service intellectual properties development company, specializing in the page-to-screen process of bringing the written word to life in film and television. Cynthia Fritts Stillwellbring years of experience to the company, with a firm belief in the power of the story. A good story sticks. It has the potential to open new windows, stimulate constructive thought, give hope, revolutionize, transform, inspire and provide a view into ever-widening horizons. A good story is all. Our mission and philosophy is to take our clients and their stories to the outer limits of possibility with no limitations. Stillwell-Lester also provides consultation and a wide range of value-added services in other areas of intellectual property, including theatrical properties and production, as well as presentation, business planning, branding, and marketing/public relations. We work with writers, editors, producers, creative artists, performing artists, directors, and others in the broad range of the arts and media. We serve our clients based on the variety of services they are seeking. We are able to manage, direct, mentor, advise and guide in all aspects of the creative process, based on the core question: “What do you need?” We believe in creating a supportive environment of trust. We work to ensure that our collaborations are partnerships which lead to the achievement of mutual goals and desires. Ultimately, Stillwell-Lester is about finding the promise, building confidence and conviction, nurturing talent, stimulating self-valuation and belief, exploring all options, and motivating our clients to always reach their next level of success "Interested in commercial shows, musical or not, but am also intrigued by unconventional works."
	ALMA VILLEGAS , Ph D, is a theater director, producer, writer and performer. She has produced and directed and has featured as an actor in Puerto Rico, New York and England. As a founder and director of Teatro Galeria Manny Maldonado in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Alma was responsible for created, developed and implemented the creative art program with the purpose to empower and educate clients and community in the area of drugs and HIV prevention and to use the arts as an instrument of healing. Her work as a director/producer and writer began in 1974 with a multimedia theatrical performance called *EI hombre de nuestro tiempo. Her credits as a playwright/director and producer include, among others, Borinquen Mall: La Vitrina de las Americas, Don PedroVive,* and Madre Selva: from Life to Spirit. *Madre Selva, a ritual/performance produced, written and directed by Ms. Villegas, was developed during her residency in the Director's Lab of HOGAR Latino Lab./HOME for Contemporary Theatre and Art at The Public Theater, and was presented at PS 122 among other theaters. Currently she is working in a musical, Mariyito: Fantasia en Bomba y Plena*. Ms.Villegas studied theatre at the University of Puerto Rico, at Bretton Hall College of the Arts, England and has earned a doctoral degree from New York University.
	CHERYL WIESENFELD (“Why Do You Want to be a Producer?”) - Broadway: Legally Blonde; Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; Caroline, or Change; ‘night, Mother; Elaine Stritch: At Liberty (Tony). Off-Broadway: In the Continuum; Shockheaded Peter; The Exonerated; Talking Heads; The Waverly Gallery. Ms. Wiesenfeld was the recipient of Theater Resoucres Unlimited's 2007 "Spirit of Theater" Award for her ongoing generosity to young producers in the New York community, as well as her selfless support of the work that TRU does. She is one of the founding Mentors in the TRU Producer Mentorship Program, and to date has mentored six aspirants, including guiding one production to win four Audelco Awards, and helping another production find success in regional theaters.
Click to return to top of page. THE COACHES
	GRACE KILEY, M.A. in Counseling Psychology, professional actress (SAG, AEA) has coached for over 25 years. She specializes coaching professionals in film, writers, performance artists in her Art of Pitching Workshops independently and for organizations. She also coaches business executives, investment advisors, managers, entrepreneurs, and freelance artists, guiding individuals and groups toward their highest level of potential and achievement. Ms. Kiley founded Vermont Actors Workshop, has directed, produced and developed original scripts. Currently on the faculty for NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Kanbar Institute of Film and Television and Trinity La Mama Urban Arts Program where she teaches acting and directing. As Chair of Psychology at Burlington College in Vermont, Ms. Kiley developed curriculum and taught courses in clinical psychology. Over a period of 10 years she was active in The Assisi Conferences in Assisi, Italy. Ms. Kiley is a member of the HB Ensemble at HB Studio in NYC and member of the board for The New York Coalition of Professional Women in the Arts & Media. www.gracekileyperformancecoach.com
	JANE PETROV, President / SkyTown Entertainment - Jane has an extensive background in presentation and communication skills training. She is an instructor and coach for attorneys and executives at top law firms and financial companies. Law firm clients include Sullivan & Cromwell, Milbank Tweed, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, White & Case and Allen & Overy. Financial corporation clients include Royal Bank of Scotland, Merrill Lynch and Avon Products. As Co-President of SkyTown Entertainment, Jane has directed and produced many corporate videos and overseen the development and production of two short comedic films: Opposites Attract and Finding A Match (Big Apple Film Festival ’08 )and co- produced the short dramatic film: The Fairy Princess (Philadelphia Film Festival and Boston International Film Festival ‘09). SkyTown is currently developing a psychological thriller/horror, slated for production in 2010. Prior to launching SkyTown, Jane served as the Artistic Director of PACT, a nonprofit theater company in New York City that developed new plays while creating a collaborative work environment for a diverse group of artists. As an actor, Jane has performed in regional and New York theater, has appeared in television and film, and has worked as an on-camera celebrity host for PREMIERE Magazine. Jane holds a BA in International Communications from The George Washington University.

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