Frequently Asked Questions
Copyrights and Royalties
How many scripts do I have to buy?
Organizations should order sufficient script for both your cast and your crew. The general policy for the minimum scripts that we require is one script for each speaking role. More specifically, you have to buy enough to meet your needs so you are not tempted to illegally photocopy any. In the case of musicals, members of the chorus who do not have any lines are not required to have a script.
While we understand that some roles are small and those actors can share a script, we also know there are only a few roles like that in a play, perhaps decreasing how many scripts you need by three or four. “Doubling possible” suggests that the same actor can play a few small parts. It does not mean that you can cut the cast size or script requirement in half.
Please also keep in mind that many members of your technical crew will need a script, including those working on set design, costuming, blocking, props, lights and sound and stage effects.
Why can’t I photocopy playbooks?
Photocopying scripts without permission is stealing. If you duplicate a script, you are taking something that belongs to the playwright. You are also breaking federal and international copyright law.
Pioneer Drama Service is required by law to make sure that a playwright’s work is used legally. For that reason, we check to make sure sufficient scripts have been purchased before granting performance rights. Anyone found to be in violation of this is prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
If we don’t take our obligation seriously, good playwrights will be unwilling to let us represent their properties, and the quality of plays available to you will diminish.
When is a royalty payment required?
A royalty is due any time all or part of a play is performed in front of any size audience, whether or not admission is charged. This includes school assemblies and audience-attended “dress rehearsals.”
Payment of a royalty fee and receiving performance rights means that you have permission to use and perform the playwright’s property. The playwright is entitled to be paid whether or not you choose to charge admission. Most of Pioneer Drama Service’s customers are schools, churches or other non-profit organizations. Our prices are set with these types of groups in mind, and all are expected to pay royalties.
Royalty payments are due at our office one week prior to your first performance, at which time authorization for production is granted.
Why do I have to pay a royalty if I’m not charging admission?
Payment of a royalty fee and receiving performance rights means that you have permission to use and perform the playwright’s property. The playwright is entitled to be paid whether or not you choose to charge admission. Most of Pioneer Drama Service’s customers are schools, churches or other non-profit organizations. Our prices are set with these types of groups in mind, and all are expected to pay royalties.
If I’m not performing the play, do I have to pay royalties?
A royalty is due any time all or part of a play is performed in front of any size audience, whether or not admission is charged. This includes school assemblies and audience-attended “dress rehearsals.” If no audience of any size watches your play, no royalty is due.
Can I cut, edit or change a play in any way?
Pioneer Drama Service is much more flexible than most publishing companies regarding our customers making changes to one of our plays or musicals to have it better meet their needs. The typical sort of changes we will easily approve include changing the gender of a character to fit your cast needs or adding in local references of names or geographic locations to add humor. Adding or cutting lines to accommodate your time constraints is also quite possible as long as it does not change the plot or intent of the playwright in any way.
Since our scripts are all copyrighted, all changes must be approved by Pioneer Drama Service before your production.
Can I burn extra copies for my cast of the CDs in the CD Set?
Yes, and in fact, we suggest you do! As long as you have acquired production rights by letting us know the number of performances you’re planning and the dates of the production, you’re welcome to burn extra copies of either CD for you and your cast. We highly recommend that you make an extra copy of your production CD immediately, just in case you get a scratch on it the day of your opening performance! As for the rehearsal CD with the lyrics, feel free to burn one for each cast member so they can be learning the lyrics at home or in the car. Challenge them to get so good at singing that they can do it “karaoke style” for the performance. You’ll love how motivated they’ll be to master the songs!
Can I add Disney music to one of your plays?
Absolutely not! Any material added to one of our shows must be in the public domain, meaning it is not encumbered by any copyright and can be freely used by any member of the general public. Thus, music by any pop star or music group is also out of the question. Generally, all classical music is in the public domain and can be used quite effectively to enhance the mood of your play.
May I videotape the performance?
Friends and family are always welcome to videotape your performance for their own personal use. Likewise, we also automatically give you permission to bring in a videotaping company to produce videos that you or they then sell at cost.
There are two instances where you will need to discuss your situation with us to receive the required permission: if you choose to sell copies of your video for profit or if you wish to show your video as a public performance or on cable television. In either of these circumstances, please call our office to make arrangements.
Our local cable station wants to broadcast my performance. Is that okay?
We think this is an exciting opportunity for our customers and are always pleased to hear when you have this “taste of fame.” In this instance, we ask that you pay just one additional performance royalty for unlimited broadcasting rights.
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