TRU - Recent Meetings/Events

Wednesday evening November 28th
7pm networking, 7:30pm panel
Why Is It So *#%! Hard
to Produce a New Musical in New York?
And What Are the Alternatives?
We'll look at varying paths of development for new musical works, and consider whether New York is always the smartest goal. Have escalating costs made New York no longer economically feasible? Are there economical alternatives for producing musicals here? Is it possible to break even or turn a profit? Just what are we supposed to do to keep new works alive? Panelists to include Van Dean of Van Hill Entertainment (Saint Heaven, and Paul Scott Goodman's Alive in the World and Rooms); Christie Evangelisto, Director of Musical Theater & Resident Dramaturg, Playwrights Horizons; Nancy Holson (Bush Wars, The News in Revue which won 5 Emmys for it's PBS special editions); Janet Pailet of P2 Creations (The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Great American Trailer Park Musical tour, The Chocolate Tree); Jana Robbins (Little Women, I Love You Because, Unlock'd).

The Players Theater Loft, 115 MacDougal Street
(south of West 3rd Street) - 3rd floor

Tuesday evening, July 31st, 7:30pm
(note the one-time special location for this panel)
Beyond Handicaps and Handouts:
The New Face of
Disability In The Arts
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.

The Spoon Theater, 38 W. 38th Street, 5th floor

Co-produced with Stephanie Barton-Farcas, artistic director of Nicu's Spoon. Confirmed panelists: Christine Bruno, Disability Advocate, Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts; Professor Thomas Donnarumma, Iona College Dept. of Performing Arts; Henry Holden, Disabled International Activist, Actor and Speaker; Anita Hollander, East coast SAG/AFTRA rep. for disabled artists; June Rachelson-Ospa, Writer, Producer, Director; Ike Shambelan, Artistic Director, Theatre by The Blind.

Photos by Stephanie Barton-Farcas.

Wednesday evening July 18th
(note: change of date - originally scheduled for July 17th)
7pm networking, 7:30pm panel
Navigating the Equity Codes and Contracts:
from Murky Waters to Smooth Sailing
With Equity Business Representatives Nancy Fattorini (Showcase and Dinner Theatre) and Rick Berg; plus producer John Pinckard and Robert A. Sherrill of Pitbull Theatre (advisors to small not-for-profit companies). Co-moderated by Bob Ost and Sherry Eaker, editor-at-large of BackStage.

The Players Theater Loft, 115 MacDougal Street (south of 3rd Street)

Tuesday evening June 19th
7pm networking, 7:30pm panel
Who Can I Turn To?
Resources to Make Your Producing Life Easier
Service organizations that help not-for-profits, some that help commercial producers, others with programs designed for individual artists. There are a surprising number of people out there who want to help you. Come learn the many and varied services available.

Panelists (left to right): ubiquitous Bob, then Bob Bangiola, deputy director Materials for the Arts; Vanessa Bombardieri, executive assistant ART-New York; Fran Smyth, Business Volunteers for the Arts; Jonathan Reuning, United Stages; Hal Hochhauser Shakespeare Mailing; Adam Natale, Fractured Atlas; Jeff Gunderman, VP Sales, Plum Benefits; Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.

The Players Theater Loft, 115 MacDougal Street (south of 3rd Street)

Panelists (right to left): Jeffrey Sweet, playwright; Judd Hollander, publicist; Leonard Jacobs, theater editor for BackStage; Andy Propst, reviewer for AmericanTheaterWeb.com, XM Satellite Radio, BackStage; Adam Feldman, theater & cabaret editor Time Out NY; Susan L. Schulman, marketing/PR; and TRU's Bob Ost (as usual).

Tuesday evening May 15th
7pm networking, 7:30pm panel
Publicists, Productions and the Press:
Reviewing the Ethics of a
Dramatic Dynamic.

The proper relationship of the press to a production, the role of publicists in generating and nurturing that relationship, the concept of responsible reviewing (if there is such a thing), and the feasibility of getting editorial feature coverage and where to put your energy and time ... knowing when to invite the press to a show, and how to get coverage... how crucial are reviews are for the success of a show, and at what level of development... the function of a critic and reviewer, the difference between the two descriptives, are times when it is ethical for a writer to turn down an assignment, or not write a review or critique? On the other side of it: the best ways to treat the press (and publicists). The goal: to show that a healthy symbiosis requires responsibility on all three points of this prickly ethical triangle.

Photos by Ellis Gaskell.

The Players Theater Loft, 115 MacDougal Street
(south of West 3rd Street)

Tuesday evening April 17th
7pm networking, 7:30pm panel
Marketing Your Show on a Shoestring?
Some Things You Can't Afford NOT to Do.
There are many ways to slice the marketing pie. We'll look at some of the more cost-effective, economical and essential ones: grassroots efforts to reach your audience ... using technology to drive ticket sales ... getting the word out on-line ... maximizing the use of your website ... the value of a solid group sales strategy at any level of production. Panelists to include: Brad Balfour, editor-in-chief TimesSquare.com; Amelia Heape, director of sales, Theatermania; Marcia Pendelton, marketing consultant, Walk Tall Girl Productions; Katie Rosin, marketing & publicity, Kampfire Films PR. Moderated by Bob Ost.

The Players Theater Loft, 115 MacDougal Street (south of 3rd Street)

Tuesday evening March 20th
7pm networking, 7:30pm panel
Who's Who in Your Theater Company:
Defining the Roles and Responsibilities
Who runs the show? We'll look at various company models, and consider the roles of artistic director and managing director, setting up your corporation, working with your Board of Directors and more. Panelists to include: Paul Adams, artistic director Emerging Artists Theatre; Patricia Klausner, producing co-artistic director Shotgun Productions; Pamela Paul, artistic director Abingdon Theatre Company; Debra Roth, owner/CEO/creative director Pink Inc.; David Pincus, artistic director The WorkShop Theater.

The Players Theater Loft, 115 MacDougal Street (south of 3rd Street)

Monday evening March 5th- 7pm Actors, Prepare: Meet the Coaches A lot of people will see you at the TRU Audition on 3/31-4/1. We recommend preparing for this event. We hope you will join us on at a special "Meet the Coaches" evening, just for actors. We will introduce you to 6 monolog coaches and 4 vocal coaches who can help you prepare for the TRU Audition.
7PM - Meet the Monolog Coaches (left to right): Laurie Eliscu, Catherine Lamm, Claudia Bloom, Meredith Kaunitz, and Rhonda Musak (of Elizabeth Browning Studio)
7:45PM - Meet the Vocal Coaches (left to right): Michael McFredericks (vocal coach), Vicki Shaghoian (Yale), Shira Flam (Breathing Coordination), and Tony Richards (singer, vocal teacher)

Presentations followed by wine and cheese, and an opportunity for you to speak to the coaches one-on-one and see if you like the vibe. We are asking the coaches to offer sessions to you at a discounted rate. This event is FREE for everyone signed up, $5 for others. Please call at least a day in advance for reservations: 212.714.7628; or e-mail TRUnltd@aol.com

The Players Theater Loft, 115 MacDougal Street (south of 3rd Street)

Tuesday evening February 20th
7pm networking, 7:30pm panel
Thinking Outside the Black Box: The Pitfalls and Perks of
Producing in Alternative Venues

With theater costs soaring, some companies are exploring other avenues for producing their work. Site-specific productions and alternative venues are often artistically inspiring, but they come with their own costs and challenges. What licenses do you need? Any special insurance? What does it really cost to transform a site into a workable performance space? And what are some truly cost-effective alternatives to the standard black box?

The Players Theater Loft, 115 MacDougal Street (south of 3rd Street)

Panelists: Erica Gould & Audrey Rosenberg of the recently formed Fire Dept (Speak Easy at Joe's Pub); Ralph Lewis of Peculiar Works Theatre (walking tour "performance heritage trail", Plays in Cafes and other site-specific works); Jeff Lewonczyk of Brick Theater and Piper Mackenzie Productions (Cursed Captives of the Voodoo Lounge at Lucky Cheng's); Dave Marantz of The Drilling Company (Shakespeare in the Parking Lot). Co-moderated by Nicole Lerario and Sherry Eaker, editor-at-large of Back Stage.

Photo by Ellis Gaskell.

Panelists (left to right): Marieke Gaboury, associate producer LAByrinth Theater; TRU Prez Bob; Jonathan Bank, artistic director The Mint Theatre; Brad Fryman, artistic director Oberon Theatre Ensemble; co-moderator Sherry Eaker editor-at-large of Back Stage; Justine Lambert, artistic director Lookingglass Theatre; Michelle Bossy, associate artistic director Primary Stages.

Tuesday evening January 23rd
7pm networking, 7:30pm panel
Planning a Season:
Balancing Your Mission,
Your Budget and Your Audience

A range of different-sized not-for-profit companies discussed how they put together a season. Who picks the plays? How far in advance do they plan? Do they solicit feedback from their audiences? Does their audience base always agree with their artistic judgment? How true does one stay to one's mission, and how much does a company need to adapt to commercial demands? Are staged readings a part of the plan?

The Players Theater Loft, 115 MacDougal Street (south of 3rd Street)

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CLICK HERE FOR 2005 MEETINGS AND EVENTS.