CHOOSING
A PLAY &
SECURING
A LICENSE
WAINSTEIN, CHAPTER TWO
PERSONAL
CONSIDERATIONS
• Personal Taste
• Available Talent
• Budget
• Audience and Suitability
(Community Standards)
• Stage Configuration
• Rehearsal time
MAKING IT LEGAL
Public domain plays do not require a
license
You must obtain a license and pay a
fee for public performances
FIND THE PUBLISHER &
SECURE THE RIGHTS
Stage Agent website
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•
•
•
•
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Scroll down to Stage Agent Resources
Type the name of the play
Select the play from the drop down list
Go to the play’s page
See the name next to Licensing
Follow the link or search the name on Google to open the
Publisher’s site
• Find the play on the publishers site and proceed from there
FIND A PLAY website
APPLY FOR A LICENSE
Most applications require the following
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Details and contact information for producing organization
Primary contact name and phone
Theatre name and address (where it will be produced)
Website address of producing company
Performance dates
Number of total performances
Number of seats in the theatre
Ticket prices
Previous productions produced by producing organization
Designation as professional or amateur production
KEEP IN MIND
Apply in Advance
Stipulate a range of prices
Make sure the right person signs the contract
Read and understand the contract
Pay attention to cancellation clauses
Don’t accept the first fee schedule if you think it is unfair
Don’t claim your production is professional unless it is
Negotiate deposits
Some publishers require weekly statements and payments
Handle rented materials carefully
Shipping cost will be billed
Licenses can be denied
THEATRICAL
PUBLISHING HOUSES
Dramatist’s Play Service
Dramatic Publishing Company
Playscripts, Inc.
Samuel French, Inc. (and Baker’s Plays)
Music Theatre International (MTI)
R& H Theatricals
The Really Useful Group
Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc.
SMALLER, SPECIALTY
HOUSES
Broadway Play Publishing
Contemporary Drama Service
I.E. Clark
Miracle or 2 Productions
Pioneer Drama Service
Plays for Young Audiences
Steele Spring
YOUR ASSIGNMENT
PRODUCTION BOOK
Script analysis
Lights
Blocking/cues
Sound
Cast lists
Props
Rehearsal schedule
Costumes
Journal
Performance rights
Sources (bibliography)
Groundplan