How does one earn the rights to produce a play?

Question:As far as paying royalties and contacting the right people go, I mean. I have the address in the playscript obviously, but I'm not sure what to write to the people. I can't just write "Hey...I wanna do your play."

What exactly is the etiquette for that kind of thing, and what all needs to be done?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: As far as paying royalties and contacting the right people go, I mean. I have the address in the playscript obviously, but I'm not sure what to write to the people. I can't just write "Hey...I wanna do your play."

What exactly is the etiquette for that kind of thing, and what all needs to be done?

The rights for most plays are held by play publishing houses.

Determine which play publishing house has the rights to the play you wish to produce. Each company has a catalogue which will indicate a royalty fee.

You should call the company to find out if the play is available for production.

OK, I'll stop pasting my answer. Your information is here:

http://www.utsystem.edu/OGC/intellectual...

As with any professional business approach, it's all about being properly done. Simply communicate. Tell them who you are and what you want to do. Ask them to tell YOU what they expect in return. It can't get any easier than that. They are in the business to sell their work. In order to buy it...at least a one-time right to it, you have to sell yourself to them. If both parties agree the feelings are mutual, you are in business. If they fail to impress you, or you, them, the process is over unless one or the other of you compromises in some way. Go for it. At this point, you have nothing, so you have nothing to lose. The real challenge will be in convincing them that you are truly qualified to give their work the quality they expect in its ultimate production. However, once you do, your entire future could depend on just how well you make or break it with what you do with this first opportunity. They know that. You must too. Can you handle the challenge? Of so, GO for it. Good luck!

Contact the company in writing or call them.

Tell them you are interested in obtaining rights to that particular play and would like more information about licensing that work.

They will want to know if you are seeking amature or professional rights (this is determined by if you are paying your actors), which city your are producing in, what dates you will be performing and sometimes they will want to know what you are charging for admission (especially musicals).

It's simple. Send them an letter or fax, signed. They will send a contract back. For a straight play, it shouldn't be too expensive. Samuel French's standard amateur fee is $75 per performance for non-musicals. Anyhow. The request should be on your company letterhead, and say -

************

Letterhead/Company Name
Address
Phone
Date

Dear (rights company),

Our theatre company is interested in obtaining the amateur rights to perform ______ . Please process our request based on the following information:

Company Name: _______
Performance Site: ________
Capacity: __________
Ticket Scale: $X - $X
Number of Performances: ______
Dates of Performances: _______

Thank You,
(Your Signature)
(Title)