Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Personal tools

Navigation

You are here: Home › Careers › Australian Careers › Careers Descriptions › Performing Arts Careers › Theatre Producer

Theatre Producer

Theatre producers manage the production of theatre performances and the running of theatres.

 

Tasks & duties

Theatre producers organising a production may do some or all of the following:

  • arrange finance by finding sponsors and putting forward proposals to funding bodies
  • work out the budget and timetables of productions
  • put into place and oversee the budget and cash flow
  • carry out research
  • select and supervise staff, including technical staff, cast and crew
  • make travel, transport and accommodation arrangements
  • organise promotions and marketing
  • supervise productions and suggest or approve changes
  • deal with production problems concerning actors and other staff


Theatre producers running a theatre may do some or all of the following:

  • prepare the programme of activity for the theatre
  • act as the public spokesperson for the theatre
  • make presentations about the theatre
  • report to the theatre trust

 

Skills & knowledge

Theatre producers need to have:

  • knowledge about theatre and the technical aspects of production, such as design and lighting
  • the ability to establish useful contacts in the industry
  • good administrative, business, marketing and management skills
  • basic accounting skills
  • knowledge of how to gain funding
  • skill in evaluating and presenting information
  • good communication skills
  • organisational skills
  • research skills
  • decision-making ability and problem-solving skills

 

Entry requirements

There are no specific educational requirements to become a theatre producer. However, experience working in the theatre industry is preferred.

 

Secondary education

A tertiary entrance qualification is needed to enter tertiary training. Useful subjects include English, drama, history and maths.

 

Tertiary education

A tertiary qualification in arts administration or business management, or another aspect of theatre production, may be useful.

 

Training on the job

Skills are gained on the job. Theatre producers may attend arts-related conferences, seminars and workshops locally and overseas. They may also attend business and marketing courses.

 

Useful experience

Useful experience for theatre producers includes:

  • theatre, film and television work
  • accounting and administration
  • management work
  • journalism or research work
  • marketing or public relations work
  • an interest in drama

 

Related courses

Audio Visual Studies
Drama and Theatre Studies

 

For more information, please refer to Career Services.

Document Actions