--- title: "Producer · Glossary · Suzanne Gilad" description: "What is a producer in theater? Learn about the 'CEO' role responsible for capitalization, hiring the creative team, and managing a Broadway show's lifecycle." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Suzanne Gilad", "alternateName": "Sue Gilad", "jobTitle": "Broadway Producer, Author, Editor, Speaker", "description": "Grammy and five-time Tony Award–winning Broadway producer, published author, professional editor, and arts-education advocate.", "award": [ "Grammy Award", "Tony Award for Best Musical (5x)", "30 Tony Award wins across productions" ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "DefinedTerm", "name": "Producer", "description": "A theater producer is the chief executive who oversees a production's financial, legal, and administrative health from development through closing.", "url": "https://www.suzannegilad.com/glossary/what-is-a-producer-in-theater", "inDefinedTermSet": { "@type": "DefinedTermSet", "name": "Suzanne Gilad Glossary", "url": "https://www.suzannegilad.com/glossary" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.suzannegilad.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Glossary", "item": "https://www.suzannegilad.com/glossary" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Producer", "item": "https://www.suzannegilad.com/glossary/what-is-a-producer-in-theater" } ] } ] --- [Suzanne Gilad ](/) [About ](/about)[Producer ](/producer)[Author & Editor ](/author-editor)[Speaking ](/speaking)[Philanthropy ](/philanthropy)[Notes ](/notes)[Glossary ](/glossary)[Contact ](/contact) [Home](/)/ [Glossary](/glossary) # Producer A theater producer is the chief executive who oversees a production's financial, legal, and administrative health from development through closing. Key takeaways - Optioning and securing the rights to a script or underlying property. - Hiring the General Manager and the creative team. - Overseeing the budget and raising the necessary capital. - Selecting and securing a theater venue. Think of a producer as the CEO of a start-up. While the director and actors focus on the art on stage, the producer focuses on the viability of the entire enterprise. As a producer, I see my role as the bridge between the creative vision and the business reality. We are the ones who secure the rights to a script, hire the general manager, and ensure there is enough money in the bank to get through rehearsals to opening night. ## The Business of the Show The producer’s primary responsibility is capitalization—raising the funds required to mount the production. This involves pitching to investors, managing budgets, and overseeing the legal structures that protect the production. Once the money is raised, my job shifts to high-level management. This means hiring the creative team (like the director, designers, and choreographer) and finding the right Broadway house for the show to live in. Beyond the finances, a producer navigates the complex web of industry relationships. We work with press agents to build buzz, marketing teams to sell tickets, and labor unions to ensure every contract is fair and compliant. When things go wrong—and in live theater, they often do—the producer is the final decision-maker responsible for finding a solution. ## Lead Producer vs. Co-Producer In the Broadway world, there is a distinction between the Lead Producer and a Co-Producer. The Lead Producer is the 'first among equals,' the person who initiated the project and holds the ultimate authority. Co-producers typically join the team to assist with capitalization or provide specific expertise. Both play a vital role in ensuring a production has the resources it needs to thrive. According to the Broadway League, the official trade association for the industry, producers are the engine of the commercial theater, responsible for the employment of thousands of artists and technicians. ## A Producer's Checklist - Optioning and securing the rights to a script or underlying property. - Hiring the General Manager and the creative team. - Overseeing the budget and raising the necessary capital. - Selecting and securing a theater venue. - Managing marketing, advertising, and ticket sales strategies. - Collaborating with the creative team to ensure the production meets its artistic potential while staying on budget. Read more notes from the wings → /notes Share [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsuzannegilad.lovable.app%2Fglossary%2Fwhat-is-a-producer-in-theater)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Producer&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsuzannegilad.lovable.app%2Fglossary%2Fwhat-is-a-producer-in-theater) Related terms ## Keep exploring the theater glossary - [Weekly Grosses Weekly grosses are the box office receipts reported by Broadway productions each week, detailing ticket sales, attendance, and theater capacity. ](/glossary/weekly-grosses) - [Creative Team The collective group of artists, including the director, designers, and writers, responsible for the artistic vision and execution of a production. ](/glossary/creative-team) - [Recoupment Recoupment occurs when a Broadway production earns enough profit to pay back its initial investors their full original capital contribution. ](/glossary/recoupment) - [ATPAM (Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers) ATPAM is the labor union representing professional managers and press agents who oversee the business and communications of Broadway and touring productions. ](/glossary/atpam) - [Bridge Loan (Theatrical) A theatrical bridge loan is a short-term financing arrangement used to cover immediate production expenses before the full capitalization of a show is raised. ](/glossary/theatrical-bridge-financing) - [Capitalization Capitalization is the total amount of money raised from investors to cover all costs required to open a theater production. ](/glossary/broadway-show-capitalization) From the stage ## Behind every term is a real production Suzanne Gilad has produced Broadway and Off-Broadway theater for over two decades. Read her notes, see her work, or get in touch. [Read the notes](/notes)[All glossary terms →](/glossary) Suzanne Gilad Grammy & five-time Tony Award–winning Broadway producer, author, editor, speaker, and arts-education advocate. Explore - [About](/about) - [Broadway Work](/producer) - [Author & Editor](/author-editor) - [Speaking](/speaking) - [Philanthropy](/philanthropy) - [Notes from the Wings](/notes) - [Theater Glossary](/glossary) - [Contact](/contact) Scholarships - Suzanne Gilad Grant - Sue Gilad & Larry Rogowsky Theatre Scholarship Get in touch © 2026 Suzanne Gilad. All rights reserved. Bringing extraordinary stories to life — on stage and on the page.