Question About Royalties

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 1:55am

Question: If I was to set up a free reading of a play at a local library, would I have to pay royalties? It would be completely free and open to the public. There would be a donation jar as well.

This is an idea I've been batting around and I just want to make sure I'm in the legal clear. Just a reading series to generate more performed work that's easy for the public to get to. If I need to pay royalties and I decide to do it, I'd probably just do some public domains until I raise enough donations.

Thanks.

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 2:02am

I'm not sure I understand. Are you talking about having people sit around and read parts like a workshop reading?...or are you meaning to have people read parts and an "audience" watch (regardless of charging)?

Because-- I would love to be able to do On Golden Pond at my library, and ya know maybe have the readers dress in costume and maybe we could have a backdrop and a couple of par cans for lights. And yeah maybe we could have the public come and watch it for free and put their "donations" in a jar that they have no clue where its ACTUALLY going to...Oh wait, that's called putting on a show.



I would reconsider all this Barker...sorry, TODD. Best advice...write your own play. You could end up paying yourself the royalties.

P.S. What are the donations for anyway?

Updated On: 2/12/08 at 02:02 AM

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 2:15am

A reading. Actors sit down and read the play, people watch. It is a form of play production.

I've thought about doing this because I want to be proactive about doing theatre, and this is a scale that I can initiate. It also gives a people a chance to see a greater variety of work performed, free and conveinently.

Oh, and I do write. I had one of my musicals workshoped at a local theatre last year.

Updated On: 2/12/08 at 02:15 AM

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 2:20am

Depending on the form it takes, many things. Royalties, Scripts, Library Charges, perhaps even charity. But the main idea is that if I end up going with newer plays, using donations to pay for the royalties.

I'm just not quite sure about the royalties, I'm 90% sure I would have to pay them, but I just wanted to check.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 2:26am

Select a play and contact the rights holders. Explain what you want to do. Most likely there would be a minimum royalty for a public performance.

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 2:29am

That's what I was thinking Joe. I am going to call Sam French or Dramatists Play Service in the morning to ask a general question.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 3:15am

Make sure you say you will NOT be charging admission as that figures heavily into performance rights.

[tazber]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 7:09am

And make sure you explain it's only one performance that won't be heavily advertised.

Updated On: 2/12/08 at 07:09 AM