Theatre Producers of Color has unveiled its second annual educational program for aspiring theatre makers. The ten-week, tuition-free Commercial Theatre Producing 101 will run March 7–May 23, during which participants will learn fundamentals like development paths, financing, budgeting, and more.
The course will meet weekly on Mondays from 6:30-9:00 PM ET on Zoom. Three optional in-person sessions will also be offered. Applications are now open through February 1. For more information and how to apply, click here.
Broadway producer Sammy Lopez (A Christmas Carol, Be More Chill) will serve as the overall program mentor, creating a space for learning and providing the guidance necessary for participants to become future leaders in the commercial theatre industry.
Using the new Broadway-aimed musical Gun & Powder as a case study throughout the course, participants will gain experience from the team involved in bringing the show to the stage. Additionally, each cohort member will select one of their own projects, or, choose a show currently on Broadway, and practice implementing some of the tools that will be shared over the ten weeks—such as creating project pitch materials for investors and co-producers, navigating the uncertain financial climate of the pandemic, and identifying the most viable development steps for their projects.
Guest speakers slated to visit classes included Tony Award winners Rashad V. Chambers, Joey Parnes, and Barbara Whitman, Tony nominees Doug Nevin, Matt Ross, and Rachel Sussman, E. Clayton Cornelious, Maria Manuela Goyanes, Ben Holtzman, Fiona Rudin, Toni R. Isreal, Nicole Javanna Johnson, Dale Mott, Dana Li, Dessie Moynihan, Ilene Rosen, Erica Rotstein, and Heather Shields.
“TPOC is thrilled to bring on Sammy Lopez to support and champion the next generation of BIPOC producers,” says TPOC founder Miranda Gohh. “As a dedicated partner that shares our enthusiasm for creating equity and access in our industry, we look forward to building on the success of last year with him and ushering 25 new cohort members into our community.”
“We're at a very critical moment in commercial producing where artistic and financial transparency needs to be a part of our daily practice,” says Lopez. “I'm beyond excited to join TPOC in dreaming up the industry we want to build – starting with access and offering a true look at what it's like producing theatre in 2022."
TPOC is incubated and supported by Broadway For All (BFA), an organization that provides young artists and stakeholders in entertainment with the programming, community, and vision to build a more inclusive and powerful arts industry.
