Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces their 2026 Writer-Director (Virtual) Communications Lab, set for Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 12-6:30PM EST and led by commercial producer Ric Wanetik (Tony-nominated Twilight Los Angeles: 1992, Broadway’s Marlene, Off-Broadway’s Jolson and Company) and TRU executive director Bob Ost. Seven directors are on board; two more may apply by emailing interest to trunltd@aol.com. Submissions are open now for writers with a submission deadline of July 17. Get more information at https://truonline.org/events/communications-lab-2026/.

One of the most important – and most sensitive – relationships in theater is that between playwright and director. In some ways, the entire success of a show can hinge on the shared understanding, trust, and mutual respect between these two artists. The director and the writer need to see the show with the same eyes; otherwise, their collaboration won’t work. This is important to establish in the initial meetings. TRU’s program will train theater artists in the crucial skills of communication. It is led by commercial producers, since the producer is generally the real-world mediator in writer-director disagreements and has a better overview of a production.