Who is The Trio at the Theatre from Faust and what is their importance?

The trio at the theatre includes the Director, the Clown and the Dramatic Poet.

The Director appears in the Prelude to the Theatre. It is the Director who is responsible for producing a play that will please the audience. In this way the Director is also the producer. The Director is a strict man who cares most about money and less about art, which offends the Poet.

The Clown is a jester, who wants to ensure that there is ample comedy in the play, as none of the theater goers want to spend the evening watching a drama when it could be a comedy.

The Dramatic Poet works for the Director. While the Poet wants to have a hit play as much as the Director, he balks at producing something commercial, as it will insult his muse and undermine his talent.