Theatre producer: Job description and activities

A theatre producer decides what productions will be staged by a particular theatre, arranges the financing, and assembles the creative team (director, cast of performers and technicians). The producer will usually be the originator and finder of the script and starts the whole process. The producer is responsible for creating and overseeing the budget and determines ticket prices as well as performance dates and times. They also develop the marketing and advertising strategy for the production, so the hiring of a publicist, marketing team, and administrative staff is a key responsibility.

During the run of the show, the role of the producer will involve:

supporting the production;
liaising with everyone involved in the production;
finding solutions to problems that occur along the way;
controlling the budget;
making sure the company works well as a team;
ensuring the production is meeting ticket sales targets.

The producer is the centre of information for everyone involved in the project.

If the production is going on tour, the producer also books the venues in advance and arranges transport and publicity for the show.

In commercial theatre, the producer aims to make enough profit to finance the run of the show, pay the performers and production staff, satisfy stakeholders' interests and make their own income. In subsidised theatre, producers are known as production managers, and whilst they do not need to find investors, they do have to work within, and control, a given budget.

For more information see Theatre stage manager.

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