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Playwrights

Employment Prospects

Employers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) writers and authors (the category that includes playwrights) held about 123,200 jobs in 2019. However, since most playwrights are self-employed freelancers it is difficult to tell how many individuals are really in this occupation.

Anyone who has the technical knowledge and means to write a script can write a play. To become a successful playwright, however, an individual must find producers willing to use the script and produce the show.

Prospects for production range from poor to fair. It is extremely difficult to get a major producer to use the script of an unknown playwright because there is a great deal of competition for producers even among those playwrights who are successful. Sales do occur. However, it is difficult.

Starting Out

Individuals aspiring to be playwrights have better luck submitting their scripts to experimental theaters, community theaters, college theaters, and to producers who are also trying to make a name for themselves.

Another form of possible employment for individuals is to become a playwright in residence for a community school or repertory theater.

Many aspiring playwrights have other jobs both in and out of the theatrical world. They write in their spare time until their big break comes along.