If you want to preview musicals, we have an extremely helpful Musical Perusal Program that allows you to borrow a script and a piano score or a script and a CD Sampler for up to three different shows for 30 days while you choose which musical will be best for your group.  See the FAQ below for more details.

Beyond the Perusal Program for musicals, to obtain a preview copy of any script you have two choices.  For instant access, you can purchase an electronic copy through our E-view subSCRIPTion program.  This copy cannot be printed or duplicated and is only to be used for selecting a show.  Click here to learn more.

For a paper copy, you may purchase a single copy, called a preview copy.  This copy is yours to keep, as we do not send scripts on approval except through the Musical Perusal Program.  When purchasing paper scripts to preview, take advantage of our Buy-Four-Get-One-More-Free offer to save money.

Most of our customers find that developing a personal library of playbooks, whether paper or electronic, is quite advantageous.  Material that doesn’t work for you one year may be ideal another year with a different group of actors.

You can borrow a script and a piano score or a script and a CD Sampler for up to three different musicals for a $15 rental fee that covers postage and handling.  It also provides you with a pre-paid FedEx return label as long as you provide us a street address in the continental United States.  You may borrow the material for 30 days.

Once you’ve decided which show you’re going to do and place a production order within 90 days of your perusal order, we will bill you for the material you are keeping and waive the $15 perusal fee if it is still unpaid or credit it toward your production order if you already paid it.

This truly is a no lose program.  If you don’t do one of the shows you perused, return it all and pay just $15 to borrow up to $95 worth of material!  You don’t even pay for return shipping from street addresses within the continental United States.  Of course, we will bill you at the regular price for any material you keep.

Almost every single one of our musicals has pre-recorded music available.  You may hear a small portion of every song from the show on our website simply by clicking on a song title from the musical’s page.  To hear a longer selection of each and every song, you may get a CD Sampler of that musical.  You can rent a CD Sampler through our perusal program or purchase it for just $4.00.  Since each CD Sampler has eight to ten different musicals on it, it can help you choose musicals for years to come!

Flexible refers to the gender of the actors, not the number of actors.  Thus a “Flexible cast of 15” has 15 speaking roles with several of them that can be played by a male or a female.  Typically, in Pioneer plays and musicals, roles such as teachers, principals, judges and reporters can be played by either an actor or an actress.

Because our customers typically have more females than males in their casts, we often write flexible roles as female.  However, you are welcome to change the gender of any character in a Pioneer Drama play or musical as long as it doesn’t impact the plot of the play.

Flexible does not mean you can reduce the number of speaking roles or scripts required to produce a show.

“Doubling possible” suggests that there are a few instances where the same actor can play two small parts.  Generally, this can reduce the cast of a show by three to four people and is something to look at if you have a small ensemble.  Doubling does not mean that you can cut the cast size or script requirement in half.

This tells you how many speaking roles are in the play or musical:  M stands for male, F for female.  If a role can be played by a male or female, we designate it as “flexible.”  Because our customers typically have more females than males in their casts, we often write flexible roles as female.  However, you are welcome to change the gender of any character in a Pioneer Drama play or musical as long as it doesn’t impact the plot of the play.

Every group presents their show at a different pace, and every audience responds differently.  Thus, these time estimates are just that — rough estimates.  If your group is middle school age or younger, you would be wise to assume that their pacing will not be quite as fast and thus your performance will take longer than the time estimate.  Audiences full of friends and family who warmly applaud at the end of every scene also extend the running time of a show.

A reading order is for getting just a single copy of script to read it and see if you like it.  Most of our customers start their process with us by picking three or four shows from our wide selection and ordering a reading copy of each.  Some people require two reading copies if there is more than one person involved in selecting the play or musical.

Reading copies are to be used only to decide on a show for production.  They cannot be copied or reproduced in any way.

Once you’ve decided which show you want to do, you place a production order to get all the material you need for your entire cast and crew.  At this time, you also arrange for royalties to be paid, either with the materials or closer to your production dates.

Each CD Set includes two CDs.  The first has the vocals along with all the music you need for the show, fully orchestrated and studio produced.  The second CD is just the music without the vocals; basically it’s a karaoke CD.  Purchasing the CD Set and paying your royalties gives you the right to use either CD in any performance.

We’re proud of the quality of our CDs and feel they are some of the best in the industry.  To preview a CD’s quality and the richness of the orchestration, you can listen to the song samples on our website or on a CD Sampler.

We recognize that these CDs are costly and a significant investment for you.  That’s why all our CDs are unconditionally guaranteed for your entire production.  If your CD gets damaged in any way or will no longer play, just let us know and we will immediately replace it at no cost to you.

Your organization automatically has credit with Pioneer Drama Service when you provide us with the business name and a legitimate business address.  All others, including businesses operating out of a residence, must prepay for both their materials and their royalties.  For your convenience, we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.

Pioneer Drama Service will only accept returns of material previewed through the Musical Perusal Program (see above).  WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT THE RETURN OF ANY OTHER MATERIAL.  No other scripts or texts are sent on approval.  Any returns received may be refused or subjected to a 20% restocking fee in addition to original shipping and handling charges.  Please do not place a production order for any play or musical until you have read a preview copy of the script.  We encourage you to purchase single reading copies or to use the perusal program to help you decide on the best show for your group.

Your confidentiality is guaranteed.  We NEVER sell or rent our list of customer names. 

Credit card account information is always encrypted and is regularly purged from our website unless you ask us to store it for you for future purchases.