TRU - Theater Resources Unlimited

10/06/2026

TRU Community Gathering on Zoom :
WHY FLY SOLO? Creating and Marketing a One-Person Show.
Friday, October 9, 2026 at 5:00 pm ET

In the room, four solo artists who have appeared or will be appearing in the United Solo Festival: TONI HART, playwright and comedian (Run Out of Town: How A Small Town Dealt with Right-Wing Extremism); ANGELA POLITE, educator, actress and playwright (Mary Speaks, drawing parallels between the biblical Mary and generations of black mothers dealing with violence in America); SAM SIMON, writer and performer (Dementia Man: An Existential Journey, his journey from diagnosis with Alzheimer’s to advocate for change through theater); and ANTON SPIVACK, actor and playwright (Functions, touching on the struggle to be accepted and have a career in the arts). Solo festivals pop up everywhere, and at independent theater festivals like the New York City Fringe or the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, solo pieces explode in popularity, accounting for anywhere from 20% to 35% of the entire festival catalog. The minimal costs to produce and simple tech requirements make solo the most popular format for emerging artists who write, produce, and star in their own work. It can often be the most personal expression of an artist's deepest concerns, so how do you shape something so private into an experience that is accessible and meaningful for a wider audience? Is it simply a form of storytelling, or can it be a structured play? Our guests will share their inspirations for writing these shows, and their experiences at varying spaces and where they found support (and how they reached their audience). Does "solo" necessarily mean "alone"?

To make a reservation for this event, go to the link:
https://truonline.org/events/why-fly-solo/

09/28/2026

TRU Community Gathering on Zoom :
MAKING SOMETHING FROM NOTHING: How Bare Bones Theater Companies Survive and Thrive
Friday, October 2, 2026 at 5:00pm ET

In the room: ANDREW BECK, producing artistic director of Outta Bounds Productions, which in the last 4 years has incubated over 25 new scripts of varying length in their Warehouse Works series; and ALICIA FOXWORTH, founder of Brownstone Steps Entertainment, curator of Brownstone Steps Play Festival since 2018, dedicated to producing culturally affirming content by, about and/or including people of the African diaspora to reflect a myriad of cultures and generations. Given today's economic challenges, it's a wonder that anyone can get a show up on a stage. We always hear an earful about the soaring costs in commercial theater, particularly on Broadway; but what about the thousands of small scrappy theaters around the country and around the world? How does a company on a shoestring budget survive in today's no-string economy? Are they able to use union artists? What are their secrets and strategies to keep costs down? What are some of their favorite venues to work in? How did they make it through shutdown? How have they found and grown their audience?

To make a reservation for this event, go to the link:
https://truonline.org/events/making-something-from-nothing/

09/23/2026

09/22/2026

Are you as "zoomed" out as we are? Let's get together in person!
TRUSDAY MIX AND MINGLE IS HERE!

KICK OFF EVENT
Tuesday Oct 6th 5pm
Dolly's at 302 W. 51st Street

TRU, in partnership with Ripple Effect Artists, will host a gathering [party night?] for TRU community members so we can meet up in person every first Tuesday of the month. Come join us, have some food and drinks. No charge to attend; just let us know you want to come, and we will put you on the list. Only cost: we ask that you sign up for mailing lists for both Ripple Effect Artists and for TRU (if you aren't already).

Join us for an in-person social hour or two with other theater professionals. Meet new people and network, get to see a Zoom friend outside their frame, and build community with each other.

To make a reservation, please go to the link:
https://truonline.org/events/trusday-mix-mingle/

09/21/2026

TRU•WEBsday – Wednesday Night Webinars
MUSIC LICENSING ESSENTIALS: Clearing Songs for the Stage

Wednesday, October 14th, 6:00 pm- 7:30 pm
Join us for the first in our new workshop series, WEBsday Webinars. Four 90-minute workshops on Wednesday evenings, tackling hot topics of interest to theater people: music licensing, how to make a pitch deck, financial planning, and responsible use of AI.

James A. Rocco, CEO and Founder of Thirty Saints Productions presents a workshop discussing the essentials of licensing and what one needs to know when pursuing licensing for their work.

Upcoming webinars in the series will feature:
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND BUDGETING with Bailie Slevin, November 11th
ETHICAL USES OF AI with Tamra Pica, December 9th
WHY YOU NEED A PITCH DECK: January 2027 (speaker and date TBD)

Go to the link to learn more and make a reservation: ˚https://truonline.org/events/websday-music-licensing/

09/21/2026

TRU Community Gathering on Zoom :
SAYING NAY TO THE NAYSAYERS: A Positive Look at the Future of American Theater
Friday, September 25, 2026 at 5:00pm ET

In the room: BRETT BERNARDINI, founder of Spirit of Broadway musical theater in Norwich, Connecticut, which he ran for 21 years, former executive leader at Nebraska Shakespeare Festival, The Cape Playhouse and Theater Harrisburg and currently chronicling the cultural life of rural America; and CODY LASSEN, Tony-nominated commercial producer (Broadway: How I Learned To Drive, Indecent, the Deaf West Theatre revival of Spring Awakening; Off-Bway A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet), new works developer and live events consultant. The death knell just seems to keep tolling for the American theater, though that mournful sound has filled the air on and off for at least a century. More recently, in announcing that he was stepping down as artistic director of New York's Public Theater, Oskar Eustis suggested that the current cultural environment and economic trends have ended the nonprofit American theater movement. Meanwhile in other not-so-news, the off-Broadway producing model has long been declared untenable, and the skyrocketing costs of productions and the consequential ticket pricing (and audience drop-off) looks to many like a deadly vicious circle. Brett and Cody see things differently. Hear why they think we'll make it through this.

To make a reservation for this event, go to the link:
https://truonline.org/events/saying-nay-to-the-naysayers/

09/18/2026

SPA•DAY - Essentials of Successful Self-Producing 2026
Sunday November 8, 12pm to 6:30 pm EDT
TRU’s annual workshop reformatted and rethought for virtual presentation.

"Gee, I'm just an artist" no longer cuts it when you make the move from page to paying audience – you are now the CEO of your brand! In this game-changing workshop we will look at how artists can successfully take on the challenging role of "producer" to generate their own opportunities. The ones who are most successful have to master a range of business skills, don a variety of hats, and learn to be expert jugglers.

Come learn to view your creative work from a business perspective and understand the need to think differently. Make smarter choices, not only now but also for the future of your show. It all seems a little overwhelming at times, but we will break it down into easily digestible bites. When you know what you're doing, it can actually be fun and fulfilling!

Go to the link for more information and to register:
˚https://truonline.org/events/essentials-of-self-producing-2026/

09/17/2026

TRU PRODUCER DEVELOPMENT & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM (PDMP)
SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN FOR OUR FALL 2026 TERM

Still accepting applications to the FOUNDATIONS Class, Fall '26.
The Master Class is fully booked. Both classes start in September; dates tba.

Email [email protected] with questions!

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

Broadway/off-Broadway producer Blair Russell will be teaching Foundations and
Jane Dubin returns to teach the Master Class.

The more you know about the business, the greater your chances of succeeding. Take a step now to move your career forward – sign up for the 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). We offer ongoing support and education for producers at all levels of experience. The program consists of two levels:

˚https://truonline.org/tru-event-category/pdmp/

09/17/2026

Are you as "zoomed" out as we are? Let's get together in person!
TRUSDAY MIX AND MINGLE IS HERE!

KICK OFF EVENT
Tuesday Oct 6th 5pm
Dolly's at 302 W. 51st Street

TRU, in partnership with Ripple Effect Artists, will host a gathering [party night?] for TRU community members so we can meet up in person every first Tuesday of the month. Come join us, have some food and drinks. No charge to attend; just let us know you want to come, and we will put you on the list. Only cost: we ask that you sign up for mailing lists for both Ripple Effect Artists and for TRU (if you aren't already).

Join us for an in-person social hour or two with other theater professionals. Meet new people and network, get to see a Zoom friend outside their frame, and build community with each other.

To make a reservation, please go to the link:
https://truonline.org/events/trusday-mix-mingle/