Theater Resources Unlimited Announces TRU Producer Development & Mentorship Program (PDMP)

The premiere organization for developing and supporting theater professionals, Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) is now accepting applications for their upcoming Producer Development & Mentorship Program (PDMP). The class is offered at two levels: Foundations, a basic overview of all aspects of producing, will be offered Tuesday evenings in October, 2026, and a more advanced Master Class focusing on individual projects will be offered on Monday nights. For early consideration, apply by August 15; final submissions are due August 31. Click here for more information and to register. Classes are held virtually so students from beyond the New York area may continue attend.

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:

“Before taking the PDMP Foundations course with Blair Russell, I was a reluctant self-producer but thanks to Blair and TRU, I am now a confident self-producer.” ~Sam Affoumado, Fall 2025

“A great strength of the program is Blair's ability to tailor the concepts he teaches to the project that is important to you.” ~Marten Hoekstra, Spring 2026

The 2026 Fall FOUNDATIONS CLASS will led by Blair Russell, a Tony-nominated producer whose experience ranges from fringe festivals (Edinburgh) to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows (Slave Play, Still, and Sweeney Todd Off-Broadway). This course offers a basic but thorough overview of the major business aspects of producing and helps strengthen collaborative skills, taught in the context of a final project that offers practical application of the information shared. Download the application here 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.

The 2026 Fall MASTER CLASS will be led by Tony-winning Broadway producer Jane Dubin (Is This a Room, Dana H., The Prom, Ann, Tony winner The Norman Conquests, Farinelli and the King, Bandstand, Peter and the Starcatcher, An American in Paris; plus off-Broadway Still, Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, The 39 Steps, upcoming: Village of Vale). The Master Class is an in-depth and personalized approach to producing focusing on your own project, including a private consultation. Classes are limited to 10 students and will be held on Monday nights beginning in October. Email TRUMentor@gmail.com to request the Master Class application. CLICK for details.

FOUNDATIONS is open to everyone interested in producing, including artists who are wise enough to want to know about the business; MASTER CLASS is open to graduates of the Foundations Class, people who have taken previous TRU workshops or the Commercial Theatre Institute 14-week or other CTI or Business of Broadway courses, or those with equivalent producing experience. All candidates must have a specific theatrical project that they are leading towards production. Self-producing artists are encouraged to apply.

Foundations Price: $325 for new members, $270 for returning members and students (ID required). The program will meet one or two evenings a month from October through January (see schedule here) – that's 10 sessions ($31 per session). You must also be a paid member of TRU, currently $95/year.

Master Class Price: $450 for new members, $395 for returning members. Limited to 10 full participants.(Adjunct memberships available - you attend all sessions on a non-participating auditor basis, $325.) Fall term meets once a week from October through December (see sample schedule here) – 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. Limited scholarships available – email TRUMentor@gmail.com to request scholarship application.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) is the leading network for developing theater professionals, a thirty-three-year-old 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to help producers produce, emerging theater companies to emerge healthily, and all theater professionals to understand and navigate the business of the arts. Membership includes self-producing artists as well as career producers and theater companies.

For more information about TRU membership and programs, visit www.truonline.org.

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