Producer
What does a Producer do?
What does a Producer do?
A PRODUCER is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a show — uniting the creative team, raising the financial investment, finding the theatre, and guiding the show every step of the way; whether they are a CREATIVE PRODUCER or a PRODUCER that focuses on finding investors. No show on Broadway happens without PRODUCERS because they are the people who say yes to the concept of the show, help commission theatre-makers’ ideas, and gather the support (financial and staff-wise) to put a show on its feet. They are the ones that raise the necessary funds, either through seeking out investors and/or being an investor, to keep a show running.
Skills
Finance | Marketing | Collaboration | Creativity | Understanding Investment Management | Administration-based skills | Industry and Customer Relations | Clear communication | Time Management
Pathways
Associate Producer | Finance | Theatre Administration | Degree in producing, theatre business, and/or management | Internships
How to become a Producer
How to become a Producer
Though many universities have producing majors, concentrations, or minors, few rarely focus on being a producer for stage only. Broadway producers typically start off in the theatre world and hone their skills through higher education and hands-on-experience like internships, fellowships, assisting, and working on peer productions. Hopeful producers can also learn from any producer or producing company in the entertainment industry. Many Broadway Producers start as Associate Producers or Co-Producers.
Union/Professional Organization Affiliations
Resources
- Playbill’s “Spotlight on Black Broadway Producers: Stephen Byrd and Alia Jones-Harvey”
- Playbill’s “Theatre Jobs: What Does It Take to Be a Broadway Producer?”
- Playbill’s “Meet the Broadway Producer Who Directed ‘One of the Best Movies of the Year’”
- Commercial Theater Institute’s Blog
- Backstage’s “How to Become a Producer”
- Backstage’s “10 Broadway Producers You Need to Know”
Spotlight on Broadway’s “Kevin McCollum Producer”
Commercial Theater Institute’s “Ask A Producer: Stacey Mindich”
Showbiz U: Creating an Original Broadway Show- Sue Frost, Randy Adams & Tim Kashani
SpotlightonBroadway's "Broadway Careers-Producer David Stone"