Innermost Thought

Last year in mid-Spring I went to this little weekend workshop that various people in the theatre industry had been telling me about for years. The CTI 3-Day Producing workshop, created by the legendary Fred Vogel a quarter-century ago, was that rare opportunity to get the insider's view of NY Broadway theatre. At the time I felt like I had been given the keys to a kingdom. Virtually every current hit production and even some of the misses, were represented in this 3-day intensive panel discussion about producing for commercial theatre: how to do it, the nature of the business, the pitfalls and saving graces, and the future of NY theatre. I was an orphan child who finally found the map home. I had no idea going into it what I would think or be getting out of it. What I did get out of
it, has altered the course of how I do business and has most certainly sharpened my focus.

Superfluous gushing aside, CTI is the best (if not only) opportunity to understand and be exposed to the nuts and bolts of producing for theatre in New York. I was and am still amazed at the level of honesty and forthrightness in the room when these producers, lawyers, and managers at the top of their game share some of the most intimate details about their business. There is real passion for theatre, and differing opinions, and brilliance, and the sometimes brutal truth in that room. Never mind if there were loads of other opportunities to learn this business (which there aren't), I can't fathom that anybody could do it better than this organization does.

This is a MUST DO if you think you want to make a living on the production side of theatre. Even if you're just "producer-curious" it's money well-spent. Investors, actors, writers, designers and anyone who has a yen for live theatre should take advantage of this rare opportunity to "look under the hood" of the great American past-time that is live New York Theatre. And you might just realize that up to then, you were an orphan too.

Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions. I'm happy to share my experience with this outstanding workshop. Until then, here's some basic info:


SPEND THE WEEKEND WITH ROCCO LANDESMAN,NINA LANNAN AND KEVIN McCOLLUM
at the 26th Annual Broadway Producing Conference.

Friday-Sunday
May 4-6, 2007

Broadway’s most experienced players offer practical and actionable information to aspiring producers and investors. 24 hours of intensive instruction over 3 days!

New World Stages
340 W 50th Street (8th Ave. & 9th Ave.)
New York, NY 10019

For full schedule and online registration: Commercial Theatre Institute

By Phone: 212-586-1109