How much do you think a well respected play writer earns?

ex of plays: Phantom of the Opera, Rent...

How much do you think a well respected play writer earns?hollywood theater

It depends on the success, I think. Those plays have been running for years. I've heard that it's somewhere in the neighborhood of $70-80,000. Just a guess.

How much do you think a well respected play writer earns?opera.com opera theater

The writers of those plays get a percentage of the take of the shows, and have become millionaires off of them.
A young aspiring writer writes for practice; writes for pleasure and makes little or nothing for it- however they put their plays/musicals out there often at their own expense.

If... they/ their materials get discovered and the stars line up they may make have their plays/musicals hit broadway in which yes they get a "cut" or percentage of the profits right along side the producers who financed the production.

Upon the close of the show (or the point when the rights are made available) a theatrical management company may pick up (pay for the right to own rental rights) the show and hold the management end for the writer. At this point the show is made available for schools, companies, community theatres, touring groups etc to request permission to perform the show.

Lets just say that at that point the writer can continue to collect the royalties off of all future productions that ever happen (until their death and then the $$ can be willed to two generations beyond).

Just FYI Andrew Lloyd Webber of Phantom fame is stinkin rich at this point; and sadly Jonathan Larsen the pen of Rent died an early and tragic death on the opening night of Rent's previews. So many a good composer never live to see their own fame :(