Executive Producer
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Theater Administration
Forum Name: Running Your Theater
Forum Discription: General questions about how to make it work
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5376
Printed Date: 4/26/24 at 3:27am
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Topic: Executive Producer
Posted By: macdouga
Subject: Executive Producer
Date Posted: 9/09/12 at 4:04pm
Hi all,
We are a community theatre in Nova Scotia. We have a board of directors (of which I'm past president) which would like to put an Executive Producer position in place. There are a few ideas of what this position would do but I'd like to hear other thoughts...
Right now it would cover things like:
Securing rights and ordering scripts
Ensuring our facility is available (we don't have our own facility)
Making sure there is a producer for each show
Ensuring that the overall membership of volunteers is such that we are viable from year to year
Advising the board of directors on any of the above, etc...
Your input is appreciated.
AE MacDougall
Past President
Bedford Players Theatre
www.bedfordplayers.ns.ca
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Replies:
Posted By: edh915
Date Posted: 9/09/12 at 6:56pm
Before I make any comments - Could you tell me exactly what the responsibilities of a "Producer" are?
I've never seen the title "Executive Producer" except in motion picture credit listings.
Most of the duties you list (at least in my theater group) are currently the responsibility of various board members.
Securing rights and scripts: Treasurer (since money is involved)
Securing the facility: President
Making sure Producers are lined up: President
Membership: Market and Outreach Chairpersons
Keeping the Board up-to-date: All responsible parties
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Posted By: macdouga
Date Posted: 9/10/12 at 5:51am
For us the Producer is largely the HR person. They use the volunteer list and try to fill all required positions from that list as well as any other sources. As a result this person needs to be a salesperson since there is sometimes significant "convincing" to be done to get all jobs filled.
As well, they need to be a "details" person, because they need to keep a finger on the pulse of the production, be sure that all the key people are communicating well (i.e., director, tech director, set designer, etc.) and when that communication breaks down, they need to resolve issues. however, they need to balance that with standing back far enough to let people do their job.
Another job of the EXEC producer would be to maintain the production manual, keep it up to date with all relevant information and changes, and ensure that each head has their relevant sections at the start of a show and returns it at the end of a show - for revision, reuse or disposal.
Thanks for your input.
I realize every community theatre is different. For some time the other local CT in our area put the Exec Prod job on their president. I notice that is not the case any longer. Will be touching base with them to see why and how they use the position as well.
Sandy
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AE MacDougall
Nova Scotia, Canada
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