The Commercial Theater Institute (CTI) announced the upcoming schedule for the 2008-09 theatre season, featuring new courses in addition to those courses back by popular demand.

“A Practical Approach to Producing Readings and Workshops” will make its debut as a one-day seminar on December 5, 2008. It aims to provide producers with a step-by-step practical guide for using creative development tools.

In the spring of 2009, CTI will launch “How To Read and Evaluate a Script,” to provide producers a way to sharpen their dramaturgical skills. The four-week course begins April 27, 2009.

These courses join the “Creative Intensive” program, now its second year; as well as, the 14-week Seminar series, now in its 28th year, which will take place January 19-April 20, 2009, the 3-Day intensive weekend which will happen May 15-17, 2009, and the second annual summer residency program for producers at the O’Neill Theatre Center which will run from July 15-19, 2009.

Schedule and registration information for all courses is available at commercialtheaterinstitute.com or by calling 212-586-1109.

“In our 28th year of operation, interest in our programs is at an all time high. Challenging economic times are encouraging participants to want to sharpen their skills in any number of areas, and CTI is rushing to fill that need,” commented CTI Executive Director Jed Bernstein.

CTI is generously underwritten by The Broadway League and Theatre Development Fund.

The Commercial Theater Institute (CTI) was created in conjunction with The Broadway League (formerly The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc.) and Theatre Development Fund in 1982. This unique program is designed to help foster the next generation of theatre producers. The program is open to anyone interested in producing or co-producing on or Off-Broadway, on the road or investing in commercial productions. CTI is a multi-pronged initiative offering classes, workshops, and lectures of interest to new producers, as well as to those interested in investing in commercial productions. CTI’s two main programs are a weekend-long spring workshop called “Producing for the Commercial Theatre,” and a 14-week course that provides an intensive, practical introduction to commercial theatre production.

Workshop leaders have included the commercial theatre’s major Producers, General Managers, Theater Owners, Press Agents, Literary Agents, Theatrical Attorneys, and others. Over 50 participants in these programs have gone on to produce successfully on and off Broadway.

CTI Course Schedule 2008-2009

Creative Intensive: Monday, November 3 rd – Monday, December 8th , 2008 7pm – 9:30pm

A Practical Approach to Producing Readings and Workshops: Friday, December 5th , 2008 10am – 6pm

14 Week: Monday, January 19th – Monday, April 20th , 2009 7pm – 10pm

A Practical Approach to Producing Readings and Workshops: Friday, March 6th , 2009 10am – 6pm

Robert Whitehead: Tuesday, March 10th , 2009 5pm – 7pm

Chicago Weekend: Friday, March 13th – 15th , 2009

Dramaturgy Program: Monday, April 27th – Monday, May 25th , 2009 7pm – 9pm

3-Day Weekend: Friday, May 15th – Sunday, May 17th , 2009

CTI-O’Neill: Wednesday, July 15th – Sunday, July 19th , 2009