COMMERCIAL THEATRE INSTITUTE TRAINS THE FUTURE
New talent is always welcome on Broadway. Actors perfect their craft to one day become stars of the stage. Similarly, aspiring producers seek training and may turn to the Commercial Theater Institute (CTI) in order to get a head start.
CTI, a 14-year-old project of The League of American Theatres and Producers and Theatre Development Fund, will host its annual three-day program for prospective producers in the commercial theatre. This year's session will take place Friday, April 26, through Sunday, April 28. As always, the program, held in a Broadway theatre provided by The Shubert Organization, is open to anyone interested in producing or co-producing on or Off-Broadway, on the road or investing in commercial productions. The theme of this year's event brings the future of the theatre into the spotlight and explores the life of shows after New York.
Frederic B. Vogel, Founder and Executive Director of CTI, has recruited 17 speakers, six graduates of the program, to speak on various issues during the course of the three days. Friday morning's session will open with Patricia Crown Esq., an entertainment attorney, who will discuss the legal aspects of producing. Other speakers include Roger Alan Gindi, General Manager, who will analyze the budget of a recent commercial production and Maria DiDia, General Manager, who will document various union requirements for Developmental Productions.
Saturday morning's session will be devoted to case histories of productions developed in the not-for-profit sector. The afternoon session will deal directly with producing for the commercial sector. The speakers are Denise Cooper (Cowgirls, Off-Broadway); Anne Strickland Squadron (Paul Robeson, Broadway); Randall Wreghitt (The Food Chain, Off-Broadway); Bill Repicci (Swingtime Canteen, Off-Broadway); Leonard Soloway (Party, Off-Broadway, Los Angeles and Detroit); Harriet Leve of sitdown productions in Los Angeles (Twilight: Los
Angeles, Broadway); Paul Morer (Too Jewish, Off-Broadway); Jeff Ash (Mrs. Klein, Off-Broadway); and Matt Garfield (State Fair, Broadway and National Tour). Both Friday and Saturday's programs will be followed by a wine and cheese reception where participants are encouraged to network with the guest speakers. On Sunday Michael McCabe will talk about "Marketing Commercial Theatre"; Jane Slotin will lead a discussion on The Broadway Alliance, an industry-wide initiative established to encourage play production on Broadway by offering reductions in salary and manpower, as well as develop new audiences by offering these plays at more affordable prices; Stuart Thompson, the General Manager of this season's hit play Master Class, will discuss producing under The Broadway Alliance; and Kevin McCollum will conclude the program with a look at "Producing for the 21st Century."
The future of the theatre depends on fresh talent and new faces. Many opportunities are available on Broadway, across the country and at the Commercial Theater Institute.
For more information or to apply for the CTI seminar, write to: Mr. Fred Vogel, Commercial Theater Institute, 250 West 57th Street, Suite 1818, New York, New York, 10107. Telephone inquiries can be made to (212) 586-1109. The registration fee is $285.
