Off Broadway Alliance to Host 'OFF BROADWAY SHARK TANK' Panel

The Off Broadway Alliance, the organization of Off Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents, and marketing firms, will hold a special edition of its Sunday Seminars series, focusing on how to pitch producers, barrowing from the format of the popular TV show SHARK TANK.

The seminar, titled "OFF BROADWAY SHARK TANK - or HOW TO PITCH A PRODUCER" will feature EDMUND GAYNES (owner of St Lukes Theater and The Actors Temple Theater and producer of Black Angels Over Tuskegee, Cougar The Musical, Zero Hour), KEN WAISSMAN (producer of Grease, Torch Song Trilogy, Agnes of God, and the upcoming Josephine, a musical based on the life of Josephine Baker), and BARBARA WHITMAN (producer of Fun Home, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, If/Then). HUGH HYSELL, National Broadway and Live Arts Lead for Groupon and producer of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike and Peter and the Starcatcher, will moderate the discussion.

The seminar will discuss the process of pitching a producer and the audience will observe three teams pitch their shows to the team of theater "Sharks" (in a SHARK TANK format) in the hopes of making a deal. In addition, questions from the audience will be asked live at the seminar (as time permits).

"OFF BROADWAY SHARK TANK" will be held at The Snapple Theater. Doors will open at 11:30am for complimentary coffee and bagels. The panel will take place from Noon - 1:30pm with additional time allotted afterward for conversation with fellow attendees. The Snapple Theater Center is located at 210 West 50th Street (at Broadway).

Admission for the seminar is free, however reservations are a must.

The Off Broadway Alliance is a non-profit corporation organized by theater professionals dedicated to supporting, promoting and encouraging the production of Off Broadway theater and to making live theater increasingly accessible to new and diverse audiences. The Alliance holds monthly meetings and membership is open to everyone in the Off Broadway theater community.

Among its initiatives, The Off Broadway Alliance sponsors 20at20, the event that runs twice a year for 20 days and lets theatergoers purchase $20 tickets to dozens of Off Broadway shows 20 minutes before curtain.

The Alliance also presents the Off Broadway Alliance Awards, including an annual tribute to the Legends of Off Broadway and inductees to the Off Broadway Hall of Fame. It also produces the free Sunday Seminar Series focusing on the culture, business and history of Off Broadway featuring major players from the Off Broadway scene. The Alliance operates the OBA Mentorship Program, which provides new producers with guidance and direction from Off Broadway veterans. And the Alliance created the Off Broadway Economic Impact Report, which outlines Off Broadway's over $500 million annual impact on the economy of the City of New York.

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