Interview with Catherine Schreiber: Broadway’s First Female Global Producer of the Year

Is producing for Broadway a hard business for women?

I don’t feel that. Maybe it’s because I choose not to feel it. Yes, most theatres are owned by men on Broadway. Yes, most of the major producers on Broadway are men, but that is changing. Brava to Stacey Mindich and all she has accomplished with “Dear Evan Hanson”. Brava to Barbara Whitman with “Fun Home”. Brava to Daryl Roth with “Kinky Boots”, and Jill Furman, with that little show “Hamilton”, and to Robin Goodman with “Avenue Q.” Brava to Nell Nugent, who has done many great productions, including the overlooked, but terrific “Stick Fly”, of which I was so proud to be a producer. Brava to Barbara Manocherian who was a lead on “Next Fall”, my first Broadway show. There are many, many great female producers and there will be many more. Actually, I think female producers can be especially effective, because, and forgive the stereotype, but women are often the more nurturing. Producing a play is like birthing and raising a baby. Yes, [producers] need the business smarts because show business is a business, but the arts need the creative, nurturing side and I think women in general can definitely hold their own in this area!

Here are some of the plays she has produced:

The Play That Goes Wrong

Fiddler on the Roof (2017)

The Scottsboro Boys

People, Places, and Things

Dreamgirls (2017)

Ms. Schreiber is clearly a unique force behind many hits on Broadway and in London. Her passion shines brightly and her many partners and investors in this process have been moved and affected by her to come aboard. By all accounts, this is a very tricky ride with no guarantee of a return on investment or reward to hard work. What keeps people coming back for more and trying to find that one that touches us all? Like a lawyer looking for the one case of injustice, in every business venture we are all looking to make a difference at the core. Regarding Ms. Schreiber’s comment on women as producers, we forgive you for the stereotype, but could not agree more that we can certainly use more females at the top making key decisions in every profession. The arts is a great place for women to make an impact on the lives of so many. Keep moving us, making us laugh, and of course inspiring us to be better than we are, and we will keep buying those tickets and rewarding you with our company!