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Licensing a Show Through Pioneer Drama Service

FAQs that show you how easy it is to work with Pioneer’s auto-licensing 

Friends, our hearts go out to you.  Reading through the FAQs from some of the bigger play and musical publishers, we don’t know how you do it.  Waiting weeks, if not months, to find out if you can even produce the show you’ve selected?  Having to prepay for everything before you can even announce what show you’re doing?  Not being allowed to record and share your production?  Ugh!  Is it even worth these headaches to do their shows?  We can’t answer that question for you, but we can give you Pioneer Drama’s answers to the same questions to demonstrate just how easy and painless it is to order and license a play or musical through Pioneer Drama Service!

How far in advance do I need to apply for performance rights?

You don’t need to apply for rights at all!  Pioneer Drama has automatic licensing, meaning you have guaranteed performance rights to do whatever play or musical you choose as soon as you order paper or electronic scripts for each cast member.

Our royalty prices are fixed and published in our catalog and website, even for musicals.  Everybody pays the same affordable price no matter what.  That means we don’t have an application that asks the size of your venue or the ticket price you plan to charge.  We tell you the royalty price upfront so you can budget appropriately; the rest is up to you.

Hopefully you can provide us with the number of performances you are planning and at least the month you plan to perform it.  You have your choice for us to bill your royalties along with your materials or issue a royalty contract so that you can pay your royalties closer to your performance date.

What if I need to change the date of my production or the number of performances?

Easy-peasy!  Just get in contact with us via phone, chat, or email, and we can instantly adjust your production information for you.  Because automatic licensing means we don’t have any restrictions, making changes is never a problem.

When can I announce my show or hold auditions?

Whenever you want!  You don’t even need to have ordered or purchased scripts first.  Again, with automatic licensing, there’s no risk of not getting rights to a show, so you have complete freedom.  This way, if you get more (or fewer) actors auditioning than you expected, you have the freedom to change shows.  What better way to build excitement for your program than to announce early next season’s show?

The free script sample we provide for every play on our website is printable and can be a tremendous help if holding auditions in advance of purchasing scripts.  Each sample has the cast of characters, the complete production notes, and about a third of the actual script.

Do I need to prepay before getting my materials?

Nope.  Prepayment for materials or royalties is not required for schools, districts, theatres, churches, park & rec departments, and other commercial, governmental, and non-profit entities with a legitimate business address.  Only people ordering as individuals rather than through an organization need to prepay.

How can I get a quote for my order?

Every day, schools and districts request quotes from us to help them with their purchase order requisition.  If you wish to get a quote, simply call us or place your order online and put “QUOTE ONLY” in the space provided for the purchase order number.  We will email you a quote and then hold your order until we receive your purchase order number.

How quickly will I get my materials after I order?

Very quickly, whether you have prepaid for your order or asked to be billed.

If we receive your order on a weekday before 2:00 pm Eastern time, your order ships (from Denver, Colorado) or is emailed the very same day!  If we receive it after this time or over the weekend, it will go out the very next business day.

For immediate electronic delivery, Pioneer Drama has a Get It Now! option for those prepaying for both their materials and royalties.  With this, you instantly receive the printable PDF for the number of script copies you’ve ordered, along with PDFs for any other materials you ordered.  Music tracks can also be delivered instantly using the Get It Now! option.  You can also choose to have some materials mailed and other materials delivered electronically.  Our ordering process makes this completely customizable.

Can I cut a Pioneer Drama play for contest?

We love when you choose to use one of our plays for contest, and do not have restrictions on what or how much can be cut.  After all, your goal is to make it the best play possible that’s contest-length, so we support your efforts. 

Can I make changes to the script?

Since our scripts are all copyrighted, all changes must be approved by Pioneer Drama Service before your production.  Unless your proposed changes are extensive, you can expect an answer within one business day.

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 (as long as that character is not involved in a romantic relationship) and adding in local references of names or geographic locations to add humor.  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.

Can I record my production?

Of course you can record your production!  The cost depends on what you plan to do with the recording.  If it’s a recording simply for archival purposes with no distribution, or if it’s an audience member making a personal recording for their family, then there’s no charge.

If the recording is for distribution to the cast and crew, then we charge one additional royalty fee.  If you are posting the recording on a website or on YouTube, that’s also an additional royalty fee for each website on which it’s posted, since each represents a different audience it’s reaching.  We encourage you to call us for further clarification if you have any questions.

Can I make show shirts for my cast?

Heck, yes!  We love this and give you three options regarding your promotional material:  1) you can purchase shirts, posters, and/or buttons through us; 2) you can purchase our graphics package to have all the art you need to make your own shirts and promotional items as well as programs, tickets, etc.; 3) OR you can create your own art for the show and not use ours.

Yes, you read that correctly.  As long as your art includes the required information, you’re welcome to create your own logo for the show!