Challenges and problems of theater production and performance – (first part)

The production manager and supervising producer are job positions that have been formed in the Iranian theater in the last ten years. Jobs where a superficial definition of their position and performance is seen and heard most of the time, but when it comes to the need for the director to pay attention to the artistic aspect of a work, the being of experienced people who can perform well in this profession is more necessary than ever.

Meisam Ahmadi, Amir Qalichi, Raha Jahanshahi, Amirsepehr Taghilou and Mohammad Goudarziani are production manager and supervising producer. Iran Theater talked with them  in order to convey their experience and express the concerns and challenges of this jobs.

 

Meisam Ahmadi explained about the job definition of production manager and supervising producer: "It was natural that jobs such as producer, project executive and production manager (which existed before but with a new look) were formed. Because the artists thought of finding money and it became so important due to privatization that it played a key role in the theater.” He continued: "The production manager has the duty to preserve budget with proper management. It has always been so, but now this job is taken more seriously and professionally, because now the biggest concern is the financial concern.”

Amir Sepeher Taghiloo also said in this regard: "Unfortunately, there is no union, so there is no correct definition of these jobs "Perhaps  we should  form a guild for producers, project managers, and  supervision producer to help the process .”

Raha Jahanshahi also emphasized the lack of correct definition of their jobs: "The profession of supervising producer and production manager was formed around the 2010’s and at the same time as the plan to create private theaters and independent theaters, but without any research and training. Everyone made a personal definition for this job based on what they heard, and unfortunately, this is still happening after a decade, while this job, like other positions in the theater, requires expertise, study, research, and updating."

 Mohammad Goodarziani said: "Perhaps if education is considered important in this profession as well as in other areas of performing arts, we can hope for the presence of experts and knowledgeable people in the field of production ,producers  who understand the show and its magic and know how to manage budget in theater. A capital that we have been deprived of for decades. The presence of a professional and literate production team is as important as a good play, a smart direction, a brilliant acting, an eye-catching set design and costumes, a music and... a lasting performance.”