The PlayFinder™

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FAQs

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APPLYING FOR PERFORMANCE LICENSES

Is our theatre considered "professional" or "nonprofessional"?

Theaters are considered for professional licenses if they employ members of Actors Equity Association, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, and/or other similar unions and guilds. If you are using non-union personnel for your production, please fill out the nonprofessional application.

What does "restricted" mean?

Every play in the DPS catalogue has the potential of being restricted — even those plays that haven't been produced in your area for years. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to foresee specific restrictions. Some restrictions are set in place at the request of the author, some are set by producers of potential Broadway revivals, some are set by professional theaters within a certain mileage radius of your group.
If you would like to check on restrictions for an individual title in your area, you are welcome to call the Play Service. However, just because play is "unrestricted" over the phone does not guarantee that rights are available for your specific production. The only way to receive approval for a production is by submitting an application in writing. We highly suggest that you apply for a license as soon as you become interested in a play, and that you wait to receive written approval from us before spending any time or money on mounting your production.

Do restrictions apply to high schools, colleges and community theatres?

While you may believe your amateur production poses no threat to any other production, DPS sets restrictions based on the request of outside parties, many of whom pay much, much higher royalty fees for the privilege of rights exclusivity. Restrictions are never set arbitrarily and we don't enjoy denying applications, but there are times when performance rights for a title are simply not available to your group.

How long does it take to get permission?

It depends on which play you are applying for and where you're located. Many applications will receive immediate licenses by email. However, your application may require individual review. For all applications that require review, you will receive an answer within 2-4 weeks, either approving or denying your request. To ensure fastest service, please submit your application online using our Nonprofessional or Professional applications. (See above for how to determine whether your theater is professional or nonprofessional.)

I'm located in New York/Los Angeles, will it take longer to get permission?

All productions in New York and Los Angeles must be cleared between the Play Service and the author or their representative, so any applications submitted in these cities will require at least 2-4 weeks for approval. As always, please bear in mind that your request for rights may be denied. Other major theatrical cities like Chicago, Seattle or San Francisco may also require additional clearance.

Can I apply for permission over the phone?

No, we must receive your application in writing via the forms on our website. None of our plays may be produced without our written authorization being sent to you in return.

I'm an actor. Do I need to apply for permission to use a monologue or scene for an audition?

A closed audition is not a public performance, and as such you do not need to apply for a performance license. Permission must be secured and royalty fees paid for the use of monologues and scenes in all public performances, regardless of whether admission is charged. Public performances include student competitions, talent shows, and other "variety" or excerpted-work performances. If you have questions about performance rights, send your inquiry to dpsnonpro@broadwaylicensing.com.

How do I cancel some or all of the performances on my license?

You must immediately notify the Play Service in writing of any intent to cancel performance(s) or the entire production of a play. Please use the Request Cancellation of Licensed Performances page on our website.

Can I get a refund if I've already paid for the rights?

If you cancel any performances you must notify us in writing via the Request Cancellation of Licensed Performances page on our website. You must state the reason for the cancellation.

Refund policies are as set in the region where the productions are performed and cannot be altered. US and Canada Refund Policy for Nonprofessional Licensing:
(a) If you submit your cancellation request before the first performance, a full refund will be processed.
(b) If you submit your cancellation request after the first performance, but within 14 days after the last performance, a $25 cancellation fee will be applied.
(c) If you submit your cancellation request later than 14 days after the last performance, your licensing fees will not be refunded.

Refunds will be processed in the same form as the original payment.

PRODUCING AND PERFORMING DPS PLAYS

Can I make changes, alterations, or deletions to a DPS play I'm presenting?

All DPS plays are protected by federal copyright law, which prohibits anyone from making ANY unauthorized changes to a script and from producing the play without obtaining permission.

May we cut bad language?

Not without written permission. If you would like to cut certain words or language from a play, you must contact us in writing with a proposal of the specific changes requested. We will do our best to respond to your request in a timely manner, but permission is never guaranteed. You must wait to receive a response from us before moving forward with any language changes.

What if a character is written as a specific gender, race and/or ethnicity but I want to cast a person of a different gender, race and/or ethnicity in that role?

No. If the gender identity, ethnicity, and/or race of the characters is made explicit in the stage directions, or is clearly implicit in the text, such casting requirements are deemed a business necessity and the characters are to be performed by actors who meet such bona fide occupational qualifications, unless the author has expressly approved other casting choices.

If you wish to pursue any form of alternative casting, requests for permission to make any changes to the text of the play or in the casting of the play must be made in writing to Dramatists Play Service for review and consideration by the author or copyright holder. Playing characters in drag does constitute alternative-gender casting and is not allowed without explicit permission.

Is it okay to cut a character and give the lines to other actors?

No. In rare cases an author may allow a high school or similar group to do this with minor characters. And, as always, you must always ask and receive written permission before you can make any such changes.

The show is running too long. Is it all right to make a few cuts?

If the running time of a show is important to you, you are urged to choose a shorter play. You may not make any cuts to shorten the running time.

May I change or edit the title?

No. This is expressly not allowed.

Can I rearrange scenes, without changing anything in them?

This would constitute an alteration to the text, which is illegal and absolutely forbidden without the written permission of the Play Service.

Are producers/directors required to replicate the stage directions?

Stage directions are hard guidelines rather than strict rules. A certain amount of flexibility is allowed because theatres and set designs vary from production to production. It may not be possible, for instance, for a character to enter stage left, even if that's indicated by a stage direction, if the physical limitations of space or design prevent it. Any stage directions that are crucial to the plot of the play or illustrate something about a character should certainly be followed. If anything is unclear, you are welcome to contact us and ask questions. Any unauthorized changes might run the risk of infringing on the author's text and constitute a violation of copyright law, subject to penalty.

USING DPS ACTING EDITIONS

May I make a copy of the play for the actors at my theatre?

No. It is a violation of copyright law to make copies of a playwright's work without their permission. You must purchase any scripts that are needed. Scripts are always required with your license unless a valid purchase receipt of scripts from the last 12 months is provided.

May I make an oversized copy for the stage manager's prompt book?

As long as the original Acting Edition has been purchased, a single oversized photocopy intended for the use of stage managers or directors work is acceptable.

May I copy a play and distribute it to my class for study purposes?

Under the provision of "fair use" copyright law does allow for some limited photocopying strictly for use in educational settings. You cannot photocopy an entire play and hand it out to your students, but copying a short section of a play for teaching use only is permissible. We recommend that you read up on copyright law for further clarification on the parameters of this before proceeding.

May we use the synopsis and press quotes from the back cover of the Acting Edition in our theater's promotional material?

Yes. If you have been granted a license for performance, you may use the synopsis and press quotes from the Acting Edition for promotional purposes in conjunction with your production. Promotional purposes include in press releases, posters, window cards, postcards, flyers, website ads, etc. Any other use of text from DPS Acting Editions, catalogues, newsletters and the website requires express written permission in advance from the Play Service. Send your request to publications@broadwaylicensing.com.

I saw this play and I remember it being different. Is there a revised edition?

Many DPS revised editions clearly indicate "Revised Edition" on the cover. However, there may very well be revised editions of DPS plays that are not advertised as such. This is always per the author's request. The edition that DPS licenses and sells is the only version available for performance. If there has been a revised edition, whether clearly indicated or not, the original/other versions are not available for purchase or production. DPS cannot advise as to why, when, or where other versions of our plays have been performed. If you suspect that a theater is performing an unofficial or alternative version of a DPS play, please notify our licensing department at dpsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com.

I'm looking for a specific monologue that isn't in the Acting Edition I purchased. Where can I find the version I'm looking for?

Playwrights often change their scripts during or after major productions, or for movie adaptations. The published Acting Edition is the only version that has been approved by the author for public performance. DPS cannot advise as to the contents of alternative versions, and no other version is permitted to be performed.

Can DPS grant me reprint rights?

DPS cannot grant reprint rights for any of our Acting Editions. If you would like to reprint all or a portion of any of our Acting Editions, please contact the author's agent. This contact information can be found on the Acting Edition's copyright page, under the paragraph beginning "Inquiries concerning all other rights should be directed to…" or similar. In rare occasions, Dramatists Play Service will be listed as the agent. For reprint rights to these books, please email publications@broadwaylicensing.com with the following information: Title and author of the new volume; the purpose of the reprint; publisher of the volume; whether the volume will be published in hardback, paperback, or e-book; initial print run; list price; and territory of distribution (e.g. single-college only, North America, worldwide, etc.).

Can I return my order?

Our return policy is no returns. All sales are final. For quality issues including misprinted books or items damaged in transit, contact customer service at dpsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com.

SUBMISSIONS

How do I submit a play or musical for publication?

Unfortunately, DPS cannot accept any unsolicited manuscripts or inquiries at this time. In the future, we hope to be able to reconsider this and consider inquiries from a variety of sources, but the pandemic taxed our resources in many ways and we would not be able to give unsolicited plays or inquiries the attention they should receive. Thank you for your understanding.

VIDEO RECORDING/STREAMING

My daughter is playing Maggie in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. May I videotape this for our family memorabilia?

DPS cannot give permission to film any part of our plays. Questions about videotaping a performance should be directed to the author's agent. The name and address of the agent can generally be found on the copyright page of all of our acting editions. See the paragraph that begins: "All other inquiries..."

Our theatre would like to make a videotape for our archives/grant proposal. Is this all right?

Broadway Licensing Global is pleased to offer Archival Licenses to add to your order for $150. This allows you to record one performance for your internal archives only. This archival copy can be distributed to your cast and crew. The archival recording cannot be distributed or posted online. Archival License availability varies by title and all requests must be approved by Broadway Licensing Global and DPS.

A local video producer wants to film my production and sell tapes in our lobby.

This is absolutely not allowed. Theatres that have engaged in or tolerated this activity have faced serious legal repercussions.

I am a college student. Can I get permission to make a film of a play?

Yes. You must obtain a Video Archival License before recording a production to a video archive. Organizations that do not obtain this license are strictly prohibited from recording the production in any way, for any purpose. Please visit our website to properly license your show. On the licensing application click YES to obtain your Video Archival License.

Can I film my production and upload the video to YouTube? I paid for a license and I want to share the production with my friends.

This is not allowed, the license applies to stage performance rights only. All other rights of every kind, including but not limited to television, video or audio, in whole or in part, or any other form of mechanical or electronic reproduction, such as information storage and retrieval systems, recording, web pages and photocopying, are reserved by the author(s) and are not included in this authorization. Reproduction of any kind, including for personal use, is also strictly prohibited. The terms of your production can be found at the bottom of your license.

Can I stream a production?

READING DPS EPLAYS ON YOUR COMPUTER

Can I print my ePub (ePlay, eScript)?

No. eScript Digital editions when purchased as a retail item cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer, or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.). It can be viewed on up to 5 individual devices. Questions regarding ePubs as part of a license, please contact dpsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com

How do I download an ePlay?

Click the "View ePub" button found in your confirmation email to bring you to our Broadway Licensing Global escript browser. Use your access code displayed in your confirmation email to access your perusal. Make sure to keep your confirmation email, in order to view your perusal anytime you wish!

Can I download my ePlay whenever I choose?

Yes, please make sure to keep your confirmation email in a safe location. You will need your confirmation email with your link in order to view your ePub at anytime.

How do I view my ePlay on an Android tablet/smartphone or iOS device (iPad/iPhone)?

ePlays can be viewed from your desktop or mobile device. Your ePub is viewed in a website browser.

How do I view my ePlay on my Nook or other dedicated eReader device?

Your ePub cannot be downloaded onto a Nook or other dedicated eReaders.

How do I view my ePlay on my Kindle?

The ePub format is not supported by the Amazon Kindle.

I deleted my ePub, can you send me a new link?

If you have accidently deleted your confirmation email and no longer can access your link, please email our team at dpsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com.

USING THE DPS WEBSITE

Why isn't there an account login on your website?

Your experience with our website is very important to us, as is keeping your personal information safe. To that end we have streamlined our Checkout, Payment and Rights Applications pages to provide a quick and secure transaction without the unnecessary requirement of creating an online account.

I don't know my DPS account number, but it asks for it on the licensing application/order form.

It is not necessary to fill in a DPS Account Number to submit an online order or an online application unless you choose DPS Account as your payment method. If you need the DPS account number for your purchase order, for payment, or any other reason, please contact Customer Service at dpsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com.

I added some plays to my shopping cart but the cart shows as empty?

The shopping cart is session specific and times out after four hours (240 minutes). This means that if you close your browser or attempt to leave items in your cart for more than four hours, the cart will automatically empty. These limitations help to ensure your security and privacy. If the cart is showing as empty and four hours has not elapsed, please email dpsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com.

This thing on the website isn't working. What do I do?

Most errors on the site are caused by the use of out-of-date browsers, and upgrading to the latest version of your favorite browser should eliminate the majority of problems you may encounter. If you continue to have difficulties, please send an e-mail to dpsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com and be as specific as possible about the errors you're having. We'll do our best to address any issues as quickly as possible.