Encore A–Z

Producer

6 min read

Producer

At a Glance

  • You make the strategic, financial, and creative decisions about the show as a whole.
  • You hire the team and own the budget; the Production Manager handles day-to-day execution.
  • Your closest partners: Director, Production Manager, the Executive Team.
  • Heaviest involvement: Inception, Pre-Production, then lighter touch with check-ins at Designer Run and through the run.

Position Overview

The Producer holds the strategic, financial, and high-level creative authority for a production. The role oversees show selection, budgets, contracts, marketing, and ticket pricing, ensuring the Director’s vision lands within Encore’s means and serves its mission.

The Producer works closely with the Production Manager (who runs day-to-day execution), the Director, the Stage Manager, and Encore’s executive leadership. The Producer steps in for high-level decisions and risk management; day-to-day project management belongs to the Production Manager.

Key Responsibilities

  • Project Management — Manage the entire production from conceptualization to performance; develop timelines and oversee all aspects of the show.
  • Budget Management — Establish and oversee the production budget. Financial planning, cost control, and resource allocation. See Budget Management and Payment Structure.
  • Fundraising and Financing — Secure funding through grants, sponsorships, and ticket sales. Manage financial partnerships.
  • Talent and Crew Recruitment — Collaborate with the Director and Production Manager to hire the creative and technical team. Negotiate contracts and ensure compliance with labor laws and any union regulations.
  • Creative Oversight — Work with the Director and creative team to ensure the artistic vision is realized.
  • Marketing and Promotion — Develop and execute a marketing and promotion strategy to attract audiences, generate buzz, and sell tickets.
  • Logistics and Planning — Oversee rehearsal schedules, venue selection, technical requirements, and integration of all production elements.
  • Risk Management — Identify and mitigate potential risks — financial, scheduling, safety, or unforeseen.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Strong project management with the ability to hold a production from concept through closing.
  • Budget acumen — creation, monitoring, and cost control.
  • Negotiation skills sufficient to handle contracts, sponsorships, and rights agreements.
  • Comfort coordinating with executive leadership, the Board, and external stakeholders.
  • Excellent communication — clear and open dialogue with the Director, cast, crew, and partners.

Preferred

  • Prior producing experience in theater or arts nonprofits.
  • Familiarity with performance rights, labor practices, and nonprofit financial reporting.
  • Experience in marketing, fundraising, or audience development.
  • Familiarity with Encore’s Production Bible framework.

Personal Qualities

  • Leadership — guides the production team, manages resources, makes critical decisions calmly.
  • Problem-Solving — quick-thinking and adaptable when unexpected challenges arise.
  • Networking — builds and sustains relationships with industry professionals, donors, and partners.
  • Mission-First — keeps Encore’s mission visible in every strategic choice. See This is Encore.

Ongoing Knowledge and Oversight

  • Stay informed about current trends in theater, both artistically and technologically.
  • Understand relevant laws, contracts, and regulations (labor laws, intellectual property, performance rights).
  • Continue building relationships with industry professionals and potential collaborators.

Working Conditions

  • Commitment: Roughly 4–6 months per production (longer arc than the creative team), tapering during the run.
  • Schedule: Front-loaded — heaviest during Inception and Pre-Production, lighter touch with check-ins at Designer Run, tech, and through the run.
  • Environment: Production meetings monthly; offices and venues; periodic Board engagement.
  • Reports to: Executive Director.
  • Compensation: Per Encore’s hiring practice; specifics in the Creative Team Proposal Template or staff contract.

Success Measures

  • A production delivered on time, on budget, and aligned with Encore’s mission.
  • A creative team that’s well-matched to the show and able to do their best work.
  • A run that sells well and reaches the intended audiences (including special performances).
  • A post-mortem that captures lessons and informs the next production.

By Phase

Inception

Welcome to the Encore fam! Be sure to complete your onboarding items below — we look forward to building an incredible show that builds life skills through stage skills for young artists.

Onboarding (one-time when a new Producer joins Encore)

  • Complete child safety training.
  • Submit background check.
  • Submit W-9.
  • Sign and return contract.
  • Complete onboarding process.

Initial Production Work

  • Select the show and secure rights.
  • Develop the vision for the production (educational, artistic, financial).
  • Write the mission sheet — how this show serves Encore’s larger mission, the guiding principles, and a 2–3 paragraph production vision.
  • Establish the overall budget (marketing, production, staff/creative team).
  • Create fundraising goals and documentation.
  • Develop the performance calendar; schedule possible performance extensions.
  • Hire the Director.
  • Hire the Stage Manager if not already on staff.

See 1 - Inception for the phase overview.

Pre-Production

  • Develop the marketing strategy with the marketing team.
  • Distribute and promote, and pursue funding via the funding documentation.
  • Establish ticket prices, promotional deals, and special performances (Sensory-Friendly, ASL, etc.).
  • Establish ticket sales outlets (online, box office, etc.).
  • Coordinate with the Director and Production Manager to assemble the creative team.
  • Schedule and oversee the onboarding meeting for all production team and designers.
  • Train box office staff.

See 2 - Pre-Production for the phase overview.

Casting

  • Oversee and support a smooth audition and callback process.
  • Help the team keep Encore’s mission and vision at the forefront when making casting decisions.

See 3 - Casting for the phase overview.

Rehearsals

  • Run and oversee Launch Day — the community welcome event that includes the parent meeting (see Parent Meeting Outline for the parent-meeting portion’s agenda).
  • Encourage the creative team to maintain a respectful and harmonious working environment.
  • Read daily rehearsal reports to have a complete picture of progress, significant events, and anything that may affect tech plans.
  • Check in with the team to ensure the process is running smoothly, on time, and productively. Offer support where needed.

See 4 - Rehearsals for the phase overview.

Pre-Tech

The Producer should attend the Designer Run when possible — an opportunity to review the show’s progress and address concerns before tech begins. The Designer Run should always be followed by a production meeting where questions and discrepancies can be addressed. Producers are invited to observe Dry Tech at their discretion.

See 5 - Pre-Tech for the phase overview.

Technical Rehearsals

  • Oversee the smooth operation of tech — identify challenges, source them, and address them.
  • Handle matters with professionalism, considering whether they should be addressed privately or publicly.
  • Offer help, guidance, and support.

See 6 - Technical Rehearsals for the phase overview.

Performance

  • Read all performance reports and assist with anything that may need to be replaced or repaired to maintain show integrity.
  • Manage any unforeseen emergency or event affecting the run, in coordination with the Production Manager, Stage Manager, and other Encore staff.

See 7 - Performance for the phase overview.

Post-Production

  • Help the Production Manager with oversight of strike — ensure rentals are returned to owners, production pieces are preserved or properly dismantled and disposed of safely.
  • Participate in the post-mortem and capture lessons learned for future productions.

See 8 - Post-Production for the phase overview.

Status: Working · Portal: Team · Last reviewed: 2026-05-11 · Owner: Rhett

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