TRU Panel Reminder
Artistic Director vs Commercial Producer
Join us for a fascinating discussion - FREE when you mention this SMORE flyer!
Join us tonight - Wednesday February 19th, 7:30pm
Artistic Director vs. Commercial Producer:
The Blurred Line Between Art and Commerce
With Hamilton Clancy, artistic director of the Drilling Company; Bill Franzblau, commercial producer (Tony® Award nominee for Say Goodnight Gracie, American Buffalo revival, Wonderland; off-Broadway: Evil Dead the Musical, Jewtopia, Sistas the Musical, iluminate; on tour: Little House on the Prairie); Andrew Leynse, artistic director Primary Stages; Martin Platt, co-director of Perry Street Theatricals (Bedlam Theatre's St. Joan/Hamlet, Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike, In the Continuum, An Oak Tree), founding artistic director of Alabama Shakespeare Festival, former artistic director of New Mexico Repertory; Cara Reichel, producing artistic director Prospect Theater Company.
Artistic directors tend to be well-respected leaders of companies who are perceived to do "important" work, while commercial producers are often viewed with distrust. The former even have "artist" in its job title, while the latter are seemingly besmirched by the idea of "commercialism." Yet both have the same goal: to bring to the stage works that they whole-heartedly believe in and that will please and serve their audiences. And while one answers to a board of directors and the other to investors, both are generally the guiding vision behind a body of work, and both must balance artistic and commericial concerns. So why choose one world over the other? And is it possible to work successfully in both?
Doors open at 7:00pm for networking and refreshments, roundtable introductions of everyone in the room will start at 7:30pm - come prepared with your best one-minute summary of who you are, and what you need. Free for TRU members; $12 for non-members. Or mention this SMORE flyer to have the fee waived. Please call at least a day in advance (or much sooner) for reservations: 212/714-7628; or e-mail TRUStaff1@gmail.com
The Players Theater, 115 Macdougal Street, downstairs Mainstage Theatre