Some individuals with a theatre background, but also a focus on entrepreneurship, may turn to production. Producers have financial and administrative control over the making of plays, movies, and TV shows. They are responsible for raising money, deciding on size and content of productions, and overseeing the budget. Other business areas of the theatre industry include managing theatres, promoting events, handling the press, and working as a theatrical agent. Working in any of these areas requires a thorough understanding of the theater industry, good financial management and negotiation skills, and the ability to communicate with a variety of personalities in sometimes stressful situations.
Every dramatic production begins as the project of a writer who has a story to tell.
Playwrights and other scriptwriters usually are self-employed, and only a small percentage can write successfully enough so that the production of their work is their sole source of income. Sometimes playwrights, if their talent has been demonstrated, are commissioned by a theatre group or organization to write a play on a particular subject. Other playwrights may receive financial support through grants they have been awarded to support their work. Playwrights and other scriptwriters often work with directors to shape their writing once it has been chosen for production. In some instances, however, the playwright has virtually no control of the production once the writing has been completed.