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TRU Producer Development & Mentorship Program (PDMP)
Description


SUBMISSIONS CLOSED FOR OUR FALL 2023 TERM
Email TRUMentor@gmail.com with questions!

Blair Russell will once again be teaching Foundations starting in September.
Jane Dubin returns to teach the Fall 2023 Master Class starting in October.

Classes will be held virtually so students from beyond the New York area may continue to attend virtually.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) Producer Development & Mentorship Program, created in collaboration with 4-time Tony winning producer Cheryl Wiesenfeld (The Heidi Chronicles, Rocky, All the Way, The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess, Vanya & Sonya & Masha & Spike, Elaine Stritch: At Liberty, The Exonerated) offers ongoing support and education for producers at all levels of experience. The program consists of two levels:

The 2023 Fall FOUNDATIONS CLASS will be led by Blair Russell, a Tony nominated producer, developer, educator and lover of theater and live performance whose experience ranges from fringe festivals to Broadway shows (Slave Play, Sweeney Todd off-Broadway). This course offers a basic but thorough overview of the major business aspects of producing, taught in context of team projects that offer practical application of the information shared, and help strengthen collaborative skills. Download Foundations (Basic Class) application here: PDMP.Intake.FoundationsF2023 - fill out and email to TRUMentor@gmail.com (be sure to add your name to the start of the file name when you send it). Also send a theater resume as well as a business resume if possible. CLICK for details.

The 2023 Fall MASTER CLASS for Basic PDMP graduates and other eligible candidates will be led by Broadway producer Jane Dubin (Is This a Room, Dana H., The Prom, Tony winning The Norman ConquestsFarinelli and the King, BandstandPeter and the Starcatcher and An American in Paris; plus off-Broadway Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, The 39 Steps, Ann). An in-depth and personalized approach to producing focusing on your own project, including a private consultation. CLICK for details. To request an application for Master Class, or to inquire about the program, email TRUMentor@gmail.com.

FOUNDATIONS is open to everyone interested in producing, including artists who are smart enough to want to know about the business; MASTER CLASS is open for graduates of the Foundations Class, with limited openings for people who have taken previous TRU workshops, or the Commercial Theatre Institute 14-week course, or a combination of other CTI courses.


I am so grateful I was introduced to the TRU PDMP Foundations and Master Classes. I got to work alongside exciting artists, creators and producers who helped pave the way for the off-Broadway production of my show last fall. The programs also helped grow my confidence in discussing my work and my understanding of the industry. ~Markus Ferraro (Ximer)

I want to thank you  for such a wonderful class and opportunity. I am so grateful for not just the feedback, but also the fact that [my] project has the capability to impact so many, and make a difference. I was able to demonstrate my project's importance by using the tools learned from taking this course. I'm so glad it was recommended, and I learned so much. Words cannot express how much your mentorship and belief in me means. ~Melvina Douse Manuel

I just wanted to thank you all for the wonderful experience I had in the Master Class. It brought me to the next level of functioning in this business.  Without this class I doubt I could be moving forward with [my show]. ~Kenneth Berry (Oh Soledad!)

The TRU PDMP Foundations and Master Classes have been essential to my journey as an artist and finally seeing my work up on stage. From learning about the industry through lectures and outside speakers, the cohort of classmates who become champions and friends, to learning how to network and build a team. The most important thing I learned? How to talk about my work – and being given the space to practice this skill with real-time feedback. ~Nico Juber (Millennials Are Killing Musicals)

Download Foundations application here: PDMP.Intake.FoundationsF2023 - fill out and email to TRUMentor@gmail.com (be sure to add your name to the start of the document name when you send it). Also send a theater resume as well as a business resume if possible.

Click here for Foundations (Basic) Class curriculum and schedule.
   Classes on Tuesday nights starting end of September, 6:30 to 9:30pm - either once or twice a month, tbd.
Click here for Master Class curriculum and schedule.
   Classes on Monday nights starting October, twice a month, 5:30pm to 8pm

Click here to pay for your PDMP upgrade, if accepted.

Finances a concern? Payment plans can be arranged, and limited financial aid available. Click here for our Scholarship Application (a very limited number of partial scholarships are available). Email TRUMentor@gmail.com with questions.

Foundations Price: $295 for new members, $245 for returning members and students (ID required). The program will meet one evening a month from September through January (see schedule below) - that's 10 sessions ($29.50 per session). You must also be a paid member of TRU, currently $95/year.

Master Class Price: $425 for new members. Limited to 10 full participants. (Adjunct memberships available - you attend all sessions on a non-participating auditor basis, $325.)
Fall term meets twice a month from October thru February (see schedule below) – 9 sessions (less than $50 per session). You must also be a paid member of TRU, currently $95/year.

Candidates may be asked to interview on Zoom. 

 IF YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM, YOU MAY PAY FOR IT HERE. 

FOUNDATIONS:

Foundations PDMP Upgrade, first time mentorship member, $295
(you must also be a current paid TRU member and accepted into this program)
click this button: 


Foundations Plus - our new intermediate program, $345 (not being offered this semester)
(you must also be a current paid TRU member and accepted into this program)
click this button:


Foundations PDMP Upgrade, returning mentorship member or student, $245 
(you must also be a current paid TRU member and accepted into this program, and you have taken Foundations before)
click this button: 



MASTER CLASS:

PDMP Master Class Upgrade – participating level, $425
(you must also be a current paid TRU member and accepted into this program)
click this button: 


PDMP Master Class Upgrade - returning member, $375
(you must also be a current TRU member and accepted into this program, and you have taken Master Class before)
click this button:


PDMP Master Class Upgrade - adjunct/auditor level, $325 
(you must also be a current TRU member and accepted into this program)
click this button: 


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SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN FOR FALL 2023 PDMP FOUNDATIONS CLASS
classes will meet on Zoom one or two Tuesday evenings each month (starting in September), 6:30-9:00pm;

Overview: Professional Producers will present new plays and musicals that are actively in development.  PDMP Members will choose a first and second choice of the show they would like to work on in a hypothetical ongoing classroom exercise. Those choosing the same material will be put into groups and formulate a development plan that will be informed by the bi-monthly panels. At the final session in June, Groups will present their development plan to a panel of the Class Directors and other producers. Members with their own projects in development may be able to use those as their class project, subject to approval. Specifics:

• Special bi-monthly interactive seminars with various topics of discussion. Guest speakers are all respected theater professionals.

• Curriculum designed to cover all major aspects of producing, step by step, from project selection to legal issues to budgets to marketing. Seminars will be geared to offer members the information needed to put together a solid business plan for their own project.

• At the end of 10 classes, all members will present their business plan for evaluation by the program directors and invited guest professionals. One team will be awarded automatic acceptance into PDMP Master Class for up to 2 members, with up to a $400 scholarship. In addition, members may submit a proposal for a work they are producing on their own, and one individual project will be selected and given an endowment of $500 (The "Randall Wreghitt TRU Producer Award," subject to availability of funding) for a developmental table read with industry talkback, or other developmental needs.

• All career producer members are eligible for one-on-one mentorships upon request, after program review and member’s goals are clarified. If you are placed in a mentorship - if you have a specific project and need - you meet with your mentor once a month for three months; the rest is follow up phone calls or emails. If you have specific areas that you want to explore and want a one-time consultation with a producer, general manager, lawyer or other theater professional, we set that up for you. But you have to email and request it.

• All SPA (Self-Producing Artist) members are eligible for one-time consultations (there can be multiple consultations). A one-on-one mentorship is available only when the PDMP Directors feel the SPA member has clarified a qualified need for a mentorship, and after program review.

• Occasional hands-on internships with theater professionals, as available.

PDMP FOUNDATIONS CURRICULUM
curriculum and dates subject to change, determined by availability

9/26 - Introduction and Overview of the Program: Clarifying Goals

10/10 - How to Choose a Project: Developing a Strategy, Developmental Steps.

10/24 - General Manager - who? when? why? what? The producer-general manager relationship.

11/14 - Budgets, and Understanding What Things Cost.

11/28 - Putting Together Your Creative and Production Team: Who does what. 
 
12/5 - Marketing, Advertising, Publicity. Special Interest Groups. Identifying Your Audience and Finding the Market for Your Project.

12/19 - Project Pitches. Meet Mentor producers and hear about their projects. 

1/2 - Introduction to Legal

1/9 - Raising money. Investor relations.

1/16 - Final Presentation: "pitches" to an invited panel of guests (will run the full 3 hrs of class).

To inquire about the program, email TRUMentor@gmail.com.
To apply, fill out this application and email it to TRUMentor@gmail.com: PDMP.Intake.FoundationsF2023

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SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN FOR FALL 2023 MASTER CLASS
Meeting bi-monthly on Monday nights on zoom, 6:30 to 9:00pm eastern
To apply, email TRUMentor@gmail.com to request a Master Class application.

PDMP MASTER CLASS:  The fall 2023 Master Class will be led by Broadway producer Jane Dubin (Is This a Room, Dana H., The Prom, Tony winning The Norman ConquestsFarinelli and the King, BandstandPeter and the Starcatcher and An American in Paris; plus off-Broadway Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, The 39 Steps, Ann). . TRU Members that have completed the PDMP Foundations Class may apply for the PDMP Master Class, though limited exceptions may be made if you have a high level of producing experience.  We will also accept applications from those who have taken other TRU Boot Camp workshops as well as the Commercial Theatre Institute 14-week course, or at least two other CTI courses other than the Weekend Intensive. The Class will be comprised of no more than 10 participants.  Non-participating Adjunct Members may also be accepted in the class. The Program Directors will alternate in working with participants on individual projects they are developing.

Students must have a specific project they are moving towards production, or some form of realization.  Self-producing artists will be considered if you are working on a specific project. 

Presentations

Students will be responsible for 3 different presentations during the Course: 
1.  Presenting a project of a classmate who in turn will present your project (10 minutes).
2. A “hot topic” talk of student’s choosing, related to the theater world  (5 minutes).
3. Final presentation of student’s project to a panel of theater professionals (10 minutes). 

Master Class participants shall have the right but not the obligation to attend the PDMP Foundations Panels at no additional cost. 

MASTER CLASS CURRICULUM (subject to change)

10/16 - Introduction and Overview of Class.  Actionable objectives for students.  Review of projects undertaken by students focusing on Why Am I Producing This?  And Why Now? 

10/30 - Getting Started: Who Does What. A look at potential issues that need to be considered at early stages of development, as well as what you need before approaching prospective investors. This will be a discussion with an attorney and general manager incorporating your “actionable objectives” as a jumping off point for discussion. Topics for discussion will include options, entity formation, underlying rights, contracts, not-for-profit partnerships, regional partnerships, non-traditional development steps, and when and how to hire an attorney and general manager. 

11/13 - Development Paths.  Where does your show go next? A discussion of readings, workshops, and developmental productions. Enhancement and Relationships with not-for-profit theaters.  Online/virtual performances. 

11/27 - Budgets and What Things Cost. An in-depth discussion of the producer-general manager relationship and an exploration of costs of translating your script to the stage.   

12/11 - Money, Money, Money. Raising Money, Investor Cultivation and Incentives. Finding and talking to investors. Different strategies for different points in the process: front money, offerings, and the capital raising process. Exploring the differences between funding a commercial and not-for-profit production.  

12/18 - Pitching: Speaking Persuasively about Your Project. A discussion of issues involved with different types of pitches. Students will have the opportunity to practice, receive feedback, and refine your elevator pitch.

1/8 - Selling Your Show - Marketing/Press/Advertising. How to identify your audience and market, including ways of determining commercial viability, the importance of timing, and knowing when to pull the plug or pivot.  

1/22 - Future Sources of Revenue. An exploration of exploiting the rights after initial production, including licensing, merchandise, cast recording, touring, and subsidiary rights.

2/5 - Presentations of completed project pitches.

To apply, email TRUMentor@gmail.com to request a Master Class application.
We plan to have a repeat of the above class schedules in the spring 2024, February through June.
 
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WHAT GRADUATES HAVE SAID:

"I wanted to let you how much I enjoyed Master class this year. It was a very special group of amazing people. I felt we all grew a lot together. I have grown to love each of my classmates. I haven’t felt that in years past. I call it a blessing. Rachel and Jane were awesome. Such bright spirits. So supportive. Thank you for making it happen." ~Jessica Sherr

"I wanted to take a moment to personally thank [Jane Dubin and Van Dean] for your wisdom and guidance, and especially for your generosity of time, and your commitment to supporting new generations of producers, and showing them it really is possible to play in this arena and make some wonderful things happen. You know, back when I first started investigating producing, I felt so out of my league, so small and insignificant, and ignorant. But thanks to people like you both, and Bob and Gary, and so many other producers I've met through TRU, I feel part of a very kind family. And that it's ok to not know everything. But it is remarkable to me how much I've learned so far." ~ Frank Avellino

"I can't tell you how smart you are to have conceived PDMP. It's the best learning experience in theater. Martin, Dave and Jana are incredibly helpful. Thank you." ~Toni Hart

"I wanted to reach out and thank you so much for being my mentors for the TRU 2015/2016 Master Class. I don't think I realized how much you taught me until I presented my business plan at the last session. It was the Master Class application that motivated me to commit to my very first project! Ten months later I've navigated from option agreements to hiring a director to staging a successful reading with four Tony-nominated actors! Having access to the caliber of theater professionals you brought us was invaluable. Having mentors to talk to and listen to in class, and forming relationships with my other theater mates has been invaluable....  I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to learn producing, because you learn by doing."~ Wendy Leopold

"Since joining TRU and participating in PDMP for four years, I have learned a great deal and seen movement in our organization. We have expanded our season to include three productions a year and theater camp in addition to our fundraiser.  We have built a website and are now in the process of producing a marketing 3 minute film about Polaris.  Finally, we have expanded our enrollment enough to keep us in business.  We are on our way. While it is true we haven't completely reached our goals and there is much work to be done still, it is also true that we have a path to achieve our goals.  We are in a very different place from where we were when you and I first met." ~LeCee Johnson, Polaris Productions

"Through TRU's commercial producer training program I was able to work on my first Broadway show as a producer, be mentored by a multi Tony awarded producer and work with a well known and highly respected dramaturge/creative consultant from MTC on my current musical project." ~Jayne Ackley Lynch

"As an actor/playwright I finally found a supportive program that not only helped me achieve my goals but taught me the business of the business.  Thanks to TRU, I now have a concrete knowledge of how the business of theater works and a supportive community to turn to when I need advice!" ~T. Cat Ford 

Events
  • Free Intro to the TRU Producer Program (PDMP)
    August 11, 2022
    5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

THURSDAY August 11th, 5:00pm ET Zoom meeting – reserve using the bright red ticketing window on this page, and we will send you the Zoom link! On August 11 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm, we will be hosting a free meet-and-greet info session about our Producer Development and Mentorship Program, the only theater production program to […]

  • Free Intro to the TRU Producer Program (PDMP)
    August 20, 2020
    5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Come meet our program directors!

Thursday August 20th, 5:00pm Zoom meeting – reserve using the bright red ticketing window on this page, and we will send you the Zoom link! On August 20 from 5:00pm to 7:30pm, we will be hosting a free meet-and-greet info session about our Producer Development and Mentorship Program, the only theater production program to offer […]

  • Free Intro to the TRU Producer Program
    August 20, 2019
    6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Tuesday August 20th, 6:30pm POLARIS NORTH THEATRE, 245 W. 29th Street, 4th floor, NYC [Use the red ticketing box to register for this event; or CLICK HERE to register for the September 17th free What TRU Can Do for You intro evening]  On August 20 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, we will be hosting a free […]

  • Free Intro to the TRU Producer Program
    August 22, 2018
    6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Wednesday August 22nd, 6:00pm CHANGE OF VENUE (we had to move to a bigger space because of popular demand) THE PLAYROOM THEATRE, 151 W. 46th Street, 8th floor, NYC On August 22 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm, we will be hosting a free meet-and-greet info session about our Producer Development and Mentorship Program. Prospective applicants will […]