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 ​

Choosing a piece for your Thespy? To participate, you’ll need to select material the publishers have approved for use in the Thespy program. Please check this page often — due to the nature of rights and licensing, this list could change at any time. And be sure to read the list carefully: Not all materials from these publishers are approved.  Each publisher has their own process by which they must approve the performance rights for the titles they represent. Details about pre-approved materials are noted after each listing. If no such details are present, the publisher has granted blanket approval of their catalog for Thespys use.
When submitting a Thespy entry at a qualifier or ITF, it’s important to identify the correct publisher. This will prevent possible licensing problems if you’re invited to perform in a Thespy showcase.
Publishers who wish to be added to this list may contact EdTA for more information.
  • Broadway Play Publishing, Inc.
  • Concord Theatricals (R&H Theatricals, Samuel French, Inc. Tams-Witmark, The Musical Company)
    • Monologues and brief excerpts of less than 20 minutes for adjudicated school theatrical festivals do not require a license or other permission. If the piece is under 20 minutes, there is no need to request or pay for a license.
    • The exceptions to this are works of Neil Simon and the musical Grease
      • For works written by Neil Simon, the rights need to be secured, in advance, EVERY time it is presented, including Thespy adjudication (the minimum rate is $125).
      • Grease is not available to be used for adjudicated festivals.
    • A license must be obtained for any performance of a copyrighted work, including cuttings and excerpts over 20 minutes. A brief summary of proposed cuts or scenes must be included in the appropriate section of your license request.
  • Dramatic Publishing Co.
    • Thespians may only use a selection from Dramatic Publishing for live, in-person adjudication and performance at a chapter or international event. Please contact Dramatic Publishing directly to determine if your selection is available to be recorded and streamed for competition.
  • Dramatists Play Service
    • All Dramatists Play Service properties are pre-approved for ITF or Thespian chapter conferences/festivals, with no written permission required and for no royalty unless the Thespian is selected for a main stage showcase performance.
    • If the Thespian is selected for a showcase, the Thespian must secure performance rights within 48 hours of the showcase.
    • The exceptions to this are the works of Samuel Beckett and Edward Albee. In both cases, the Thespian must secure the rights in advance each time it is performed.
  • Eldridge Publishing Company
  • Heuer Publishing
  • Music Theatre International
  • Playscripts, Inc.
    • Royalties are waived for the performance of excerpts lasting less than 10 minutes at adjudicated school theatrical festivals or qualifiers, 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.
  • Stage Partners
  • Theatrefolk
  • Theatrical Rights Worldwide
  • YouthPLAYS
    • Royalties are waived for monologues and scenes/excerpts lasting less than 10 minutes for Thespian and other adjudicated school festivals. Permission for this use only is automatically granted so long as each participant has purchased a digital or printed copy of the script through YouthPLAYS.
  • Any public domain play written prior to 1926.
    • Public domain means that the public owns the work, not the author because the term of the copyright has expired or the work was never covered by copyright in the first place (i.e., original works by William Shakespeare or Sophocles).
  • Monologues from the D.M. Larson plays below are available for the Thespys. All other D.M. Larson monologues will result in a disqualification.
    • Beauty IS a Beast (ISBN-13: 978-1511495967)
    • Big Nose (ISBN-13: 978-1542471077)
    • Death of an Insurance Salesman (ISBN-13: 978-1518665547)
    • Ebony Scrooge (ISBN-13: 978-1537655239)
    • Flowers in the Desert (ISBN-13: 978-1530169085)
    • Holka Polka! (ISBN-13: 978-1502445490)
    • Operation Redneck (ISBN-13: 978-1540824349)
    • Somebody Famous (ISBN-13: 978-1539753483)
    • Superhero Support Group (ISBN-13: 978-1540471772)
    • My William Shatner Man Crush (ISBN-13: 978-1505910155)
    • To Be a Star (ISBN-13: 978-154130020)