Theater Resources Unlimited Hosts Producer Boot Camp 1/23/2010

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents an all-day intensive workshop, RAISING MONEY FOR THE THEATER: HOW, WHO AND WHEN TO ASK, on Saturday, January 23, 2010 from 10am-6pm at The Players Theatre Mainstage, 115 MacDougal Street (below W. 3rd Street), NYC. Admission is $175 ($150 for early registration by 1/11, $25 off for current TRU members).

It's a tough economy, no doubt about it. All the more reason why people need support and the skills to go about the business of producing. TRU has created a workshop that offers producers, self-producing artists and entrepreneurs some basic tools and information that will help them to function effectively in these times and the better days that are surely ahead. From networking techniques to legal requirements and effective business planning, plus a wealth of first-hand experience from more than a half dozen producers who are currently active in the Broadway and off-Broadway worlds, this promises to be an informative, empowering and inspiring day.

Faculty will include Broadway producers Kristin Caskey of Fox Theatricals, Cheryl Wiesenfeld, Jane Dubin, Tom Smedes and Randall Wreghitt, plus attorneys Mark Beigelman and LisaRoxanne Walters, business consultant Sheila Speller and personal coaches Jane Petrov and Roy Havrilack.

"Last year's workshop was so well attended and well-received that we realized this is a topic of great interest. We refined and improved this year's workshop based on the feedback we got from attendees," said TRU president Bob Ost.

"The most valuable eight hours I've spent in my theatre career," said William Roetzheim.

"We learned so much and left feeling uplifted, not only about what we were doing for our company at present, but about what we could do in the future. We felt honored to be part of such a wonderful community of artists and business people, and that will stay with us long into the new year; it was a perfect springboard for the work that awaits us all," said Bob Combe, E Phoenix Idealist Theater.

"I thought the workshop was terrific. I had no idea how ignorant I was about raising money. So many thanks to you and all the terrific presenters - not to mention the lovely and talented attendees I met there," said Pam Tate.

"Your workshop was probably the most valuable one I've ever attended," said Toni Wellman.

Admission is $175 ($150 for early registration by 1/11, $25 off for current TRU members). Pre-registration is available by emailing trunltd@aol.com. Applications are available at www.truonline.org/BootCampMoney10.htm. Payment by check may be mailed to Theater Resources Unlimited, 309 W. 104th Street 1D, NYC NY 10025. On-line payment by Paypal or by credit card is available at www.truonline.org/store-new.html

How do you teach people how to raise money? Clearly it's a skill some have, others need to learn. "We tried to parse this large topic into digestible, teachable modules," says Ost. The segments include the following:

· "Commercial and Not-for-Profit Asks: Defining the Differences" with LisaRoxanne Walters, attorney, law professor and actress. We will define terms, then focus on the not-for-profit side: the legal paperwork and structure that is necessary in order to ask for donations, and the responsibilities to your donors, plus the ways in which not-for-profits and commercial companies can work together.
· "Commercial Financing: Formalizing Your Ask" with attorney Mark Beigelman. The required paperwork and structures at every level of development, from front money agreements to private placement to Federal filings. And the limitations placed on asking.
· "Networking Your Way to Money: Turning a First Impression into a Lasting Relationship" with Jane Petrov and Roy Havriliack of SkyTown Entertainment. We will look at the nature of effective networking, how our beliefs affect our ability to present ourselves well, techniques for engaging others in our ideas, more.
· "Putting it in Writing: Business Plans and Grant Proposals" with business consultant Sheila Speller. How to effectively organize your presentation to potential donors or investors; writing a persuasive narrative and building a compelling case for support, whether for a not-for-profit or commercial venture.
· "The Care and Feeding of Investors: Identifying, Cultivating, Maintaining Them" with Kristin Caskey, vice president of Fox Theatricals.
· "Looking Beyond Family & Friends" with producer Tom Smedes (Naked Boys Singing, Ace the Musical) and Jane Dubin (Beebo Brinker Chronicles, The Norman Coqnuests, Groundswell). The importance of creative thinking in identifying investors for your project.
· "Producing as a Career Choice" with Randall Wreghitt (tentative). Approaching producing as a career, gaining experience to back up your ask, building credibility as well as your resume.
· "Taking the Leap: Doing What You Didn't Know You Could Do" moderated by producer Cheryl Wiesenfeld (A Steady Rain, Legally Blonde, Caroline or Change, The Exonerated, Elaine Stritch: At Liberty).

Theater Resources Unlimited 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 Boot Camps about producing skills, monthly educational panels, a play and musical developmental reading series, a producer mentorship program, 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 6000 arts professionals.

Programs of Theater Resources Unlimited are supported in part by public funds awarded through the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), 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.

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