Requesting a license for an amateur performance by a school Drama Club

[SarahJuraan]

Posted: 9/14/17 at 12:54pm

I am a senior in high school and I have been an active member in my school's drama department. For my last year before I go to university, I was hoping to direct a musical just in the school Drama Club as I think that would help build my experiences further as I am hoping to major in musical theatre in university. The musical is "21 Chump Street" and it is only going to be performed once. The performance will mainly be for educational purposes with the actors consisted of students in a student-run Drama Club without any heavy budget props or costumes. It will be very amateur. The set performance date is coming very near (in a month or so) and I was wondering how long it would take for the request for licensing to be accepted and mainly how much it will cost in my circumstances. As it is an amateur performance, there is likely no budget or a very small amount so the cost is concerning. 

If anyone has had the same experience, please share them! Thank you!

[VeroniqueJaffee]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 11:20am

If the performance is for educational purposes and you're not selling tickets, you shouldn't license the show. If you (or the drama club) plan to make money off the performance, then you need a license.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/6/17 at 7:40pm

THAT IS 100% INCORRECT INFO.   In fact, it's stealing.   You need a license to perform: regardless of budget, regardless of tickets being free.

 

The answer to your question totally relies on the company that holds the rights.   Most are pretty quick, and a title without much recognition (yours) will be much cheaper than a known shown.

From the sound of it (a month away) you are likely already breaking copywrite.  You aren't allowed to announce, audition or rehearse without a signed agreement.

[ntsatheatre]

Posted: 10/13/17 at 8:52pm

First of all, that's fantastic that you're directing musical theatre during your senior year! And "21 Chump Street" is a great choice of material! Kudos!

Secondly, I agree with dramamama611. The rights for "21 Chump Street" are through Rodgers and Hammerstein. The big houses like R&H, MTI, and Tams Witmark typically take a few weeks to process your paperwork. In regards to price, my organization's doing a one-night engagement of a lesser-known musical over the summer, and the cost came in at $190 per performance with a required $550 materials rental fee and a $400 security deposit. So, overall, the fee was $740, and we needed to come up with $1,140 total. (That was for a 199-seat theatre and, admittedly, we are an off-Broadway company.) If you haven't secured the rights yet, I'd probably talk to your teacher about moving the performance back a month or so. I'd also see if your school might be willing to chip in on the royalty costs, or if you could hold a fundraiser at your school or in your drama department.