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The Commercial Theater Institute and the O'Neill Theater Center announce a new joint program, The CTI-O'Neill Summer Workshop. Led by Tom Viertel, O'Neill Board Chair and Broadway Producer, and Jed Bernstein, CTI Program Director and Broadway Producer, along with an all-star faculty from the New York theatre community, the four day, hands-on intensive program will help participants develop hypothetical business plans for each of the plays and musicals selected for the O'Neill Summer Conference. The Workshop will feature a mixture of lectures, one-on-one sessions, interaction with writers and directors, and group discussions to interact with artists and understand the process of creative development.  The program will be a separate, but complementary one to the artistic programs in residence.

The 2008 Workshop will be held from Thursday, July 17^th to Sunday, July 20^th, on the beautiful campus of the O'Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, CT, which overlooks the Long Island Sound. Tuition, which includes all meals, is $800. Participants need to arrange housing at their own expense. However, CTI has arranged discounted hotel rates and shuttle services at two area hotels.

The program will be limited to 12 participants and application is expected to be highly competitive. The deadline for applications is Thursday, May 15^th. Decisions will be announced by Friday, May 23^rd. Applications may be found at the CTI Website (www.commercialtheaterinstitute.com) or the O?Neill Theater Center website (www.theoneill.org).

The Commercial Theater Institute, now in its 27^th year, is a project of Theatre Development Fund (TDF), Victoria Bailey, Executive Director, and The Broadway League, Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director.

Dedicated to training the next generation of commercial theatre producers, CTI provides resources and guidance to individuals interested in the various paths one can take towards creating commercial productions for the stage.  It was founded by the late Frederic B. Vogel in 1982. Jed Bernstein, President of Above the Title Entertainment and former President of the League, is Program Director.

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The Eugene O?Neill Theater Center, was founded in 1964, to develop and nurture new artists and new work.  The O?Neill annually presents the National Playwrights Conference and National Music Theater Conference, where new works for the stage are given staged readings in a bucolic retreat setting; additionally, the O?Neill runs an accredited semester training program, the National Theater Institute, and development programs in Puppetry, Dramatic Criticism and Cabaret.  The O?Neill was awarded a special Tony Award in 1979 for its unique contribution to American theater.

The Broadway League, founded in 1930 as the League of New York Theatres, is the national trade association for the Broadway industry. The League?s 600-plus members include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers in 240 North American cities, as well as suppliers of goods and services to the theatre industry. Each year, League members bring Broadway to nearly 30 million people in New York and across the U.S. and Canada. www.broadwayleague.com

Theatre Development Fund, the largest not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts in the United States, was established in 1968 to foster works of artistic merit by supporting new productions and to broaden the audience for all the performing arts. Since then, TDF has played a unique role in strengthening New York City performing arts. TDF combined programs have filled over 70 million theatre seats; provided subsidy support to over 800 plays, including 28 Pulitzer Prize honorees; and returned over $1.5 billion dollars in revenue to theatre, dance and music organizations. In partnership with the Times Square Alliance and the Coalition for Father Duffy, TDF is currently constructing a new TKTS ticket booth as part of the revitalization of Father Duffy Square. More about TDF and its programs may be found at www.tdf.org.