Last month I had the pleasure of attending the TRU (Theater Resources Unlimited) benefit. The TRU mission:
TRU was formed to promote a spirit of cooperation and support within the general theatre community by providing information and a variety of entertainment-related services and resources that strengthen the capacity of producing organizations, individuals producers, self-producing artists and other theater professionals.
TRU achieves its mission through 1) maintenance of a member network of producers and other industry professionals in the New York area; 2) linking members to valuable resources both within and beyond the theatrical community, 3) providing public forums for introducing and sharing information, including specific requests for help and support, 4) publishing a printed and electronic newsletter for services, discount offers and other programs of benefit to the membership, 5) providing educational opportunities (including TRU-sponsored events and competitive scholarships) on industry-related topics and training, and 6) serving as producer for selected events that provide practical opportunities to the membership and other theater professionals.
Cool, huh?
But this benefit introduced me to two amazing women, and I am most grateful. I'd been pessimistic and misanthropic since the election, but these dynamic passionate women reminded me that humans can be incredible, and that they/we can work together to achieve beautiful things.
Susan E. Lee received the TRU Humanitarian Award. Lee works to make theatre more accessible and relevant to people of all ages. She advocates for arts in schools and creates opportunities for young people to actually experience theatre. This dry description fails to capture her passion and commitment to theatre. Her speech was charming.
Irene Gandy received the TRU Spirit of the Theater Award. Gandy has been a trail-blazer for decades in her role as publicist (she is the only black woman in the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers with over 100 Broadway productions to her credit), producer, and Drama League Board member. Those are only some of her accomplishments, and again, they can't begin to do her justice. She is a magnificent, larger-than-life woman who to me epitomizes how uniquely wonderful theatre people can be. Her speech was great.
You can meet these women too, on TRU's YouTube page (click here), where you can also view videos on producing, important and fascinating theatre people and groups, marketing, and using theatre as a force for good.
Wendy Caster