Securing Performance Rights

It is the responsibility of entrants to obtain permission for the use of copyrighted material. In certain cases, permission is not required. 
  • The performance of a song from a published musical in an adjudicated category is considered a fair use, and no permission is required.
  • The performance of a monologue or scene from a non-musical play at chapter conference/festival or in an adjudicated category may be subject to an agreement previously negotiated between EdTA and several major publishers. Determine the identity of the publisher (check the title page of the script or consult an internet database like findaplay.com or doollee.com), then check the following listing for the publisher’s most recent policy. If the work is published by a house not included below, an entrant must apply for a Special Rights Form (Appendix B - page 29).
  • If there is an exception as noted above (e.g., Neil Simon plays), complete the appropriate sections of the Rights Application and Permission Form (Appendix C - page 30) and mail it to the publisher or leasing agent. The name and address of the publisher or agent should be in a notice of copyright published with the script.

Play Publishers ​

  • Broadway Play Publishing, Inc.
    • All competitions require a performance-rights license except for those five minutes or under in duration for which no license is required. For competitions with a duration of greater than five minutes a standard fee of $50.00 per performance applies for full-length plays and $35.00 per performance for short plays.
  • Dramatic Publishing Co.
    • There is no charge for use in the International Thespian Excellence Awards program at Thespian national or chapter conferences/festivals.
  • Dramatists Play Service:
    • All Dramatists Play Service properties are pre-approved for Thespian national or chapter conferences/festivals, with no written permission required for and for no royalty unless the student is selected for the Mainstage performance. 
      • If the student is selected for a Showcase, the student must secure performance rights within 48 hours of the showcase: https://www.dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/secure/scenenpa.asp.
      • The exceptions to this guide are the works of Samuel Beckett and Edward Albee. In both cases, the student must secure the rights in advance and for each time it is performed. 
  • Samuel French, Inc.
    • Monologues and brief excerpts of less than 10 minutes do not require a license or other permission from Samuel French. If the piece is under 10 minutes, there is NO need to ask or pay for the rights.
    • The exceptions to this guide are works of Neil Simon and the musical Grease
      • If Neil Simon, the rights need to be secured, in advance, EVERY time it is performed (the minimum rate is $125).
      • If Grease, a single song is OK, but if any dialogue or scenes are used, you must ask and secure the rights in advance.
    • A license must be obtained through www.samuelfrench.com for any performance of a copyrighted work, including cuttings and excerpts over 10 minutes. Titles approved for cuttings are marked appropriate section of your license request. If a piece is over 10 minutes:
      • 10-45 minutes - flat fee of $45 is due and payable in advance.
      • Over 45 minutes - the same cost as a full production - due and payable in advance.
      • At the chapter level, Samuel French has requested that for ALL works over 10 minutes, the Chapter collect and remit a single payment with a list of all the pieces being done (vs. having each student submit separately).
    • For more information, please visit www.samuelfrench.com or for a list of state specific licensing reps: http://www.samuelfrench.com/contact-representative.
  • Playscripts, Inc.:
    • Royalties are waived for the performance of excerpts lasting less than 10 minutes at adjudicated school theatrical festivals or auditions, unless otherwise noted in the script. These performances, and only these, are automatically authorized by the playwright when you purchase books from Playscripts. (Note: Any other cuttings must receive prior approval from Playscripts.)
  • Smith and Kraus: 
    • Most Smith and Kraus collections include a blanket permission statement for use. Remember, however, the piece you’re interested in performing must be found in one of these collections that include blanket permission.
  • Theatrefolk: 
    • Monologues and scenes/excerpts lasting 10 minutes or less taken from scripts published by Theatrefolk may be performed in any Thespian national or chapter conferences/festivals program without royalty.
  • YouthPLAYS: 
    • Royalties are waived for monologues and scenes/excerpts lasting less than 10 minutes for Thespian national or chapter conferences/festivals. To receive a statement of permission, an entrant must purchase a single printable perusal copy of the play through the YouthPLAYS website, then email info@youthplays.com with their name(s), school, and event information.