Rights to a show?

[Lydia Hundley]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 1:06am

I'm trying to figure out how much it would cost to do a production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch at my college. I have been to the Dramatist website and it only says it can give me a cost when I apply for rights. I need to know an amount so that I can propose to do it in the black box theater here. Has anyone done the show before? Could you give me an estimate for how much it cost? 4 people in total would need scores. 3 performances. 33 seats in the theatre space. Thank you!

[trpguyy]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 3:16am

If you contact them and explain your situation, I'm sure they will quote you the licensing cost.

 

Tel. [phone]
Nonprofessional Licensing: [e-mail]
Professional Licensing: [e-mail]

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 5:07am

Applying for rights does not obligate you to purchase them. Apply and you'll get all the info you need.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 7:22am

But if you are looking for a ballpark figure....I'd guess between 3 & 4K.  It COULD be as low as 2K....but I wouldn't count on that.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 11:50am

$2000?! For 3 performances in a 30 seat theatre of Hedwig?!

I'm doing Murder Ballad in a 60 seat theatre in April. It's through a different company, but the rights are only like 900

[trpguyy]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 12:59pm

Could be $3K, could be $900. Anonymous strangers don’t actually know, but the licensing company does. The contact information is above, I’m sure you could email the licensing company and find out how much it would actually cost. 

Updated On: 3/2/18 at 12:59 PM

[ggersten]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 1:14pm

Are you charging for tickets?  That does change the licensing fee.  But, the rental of scores, etc. add up regardless.  

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 1:22pm

Alex Kulak2 said: "$2000?! For 3 performances in a 30 seat theatre of Hedwig?!

I'm doing Murder Ballad in a 60 seat theatre in April. It's through a different company, but the rights are only like 900"

Musical rights are much more expensive. I would be shocked if it was less than 2k 

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 1:53pm

I personally don’t know much about this topic, though I will say that I would trust Dramamama’s word on this. She has demonstrated a pretty solid knowledge and understanding of licensing processes over the years that I’ve been posting here.

That being said, your best bet is to actually inquire through the licensing company.

[FosseTharp]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 6:35pm

It should not be as expensive as some have said. Dramatists has the most affordable rights of any of the major rights holders. They will charge you a royalty fee based on number of performances, average ticket price, and number of seats in the venue and charge based on how much your potential gross is; Plus a refundable deposit for the libretto and band scores. Three performances in a 30 seat space would most likely be under 2,000. I’d guess closer to the 1,000-1,200 range (excluding deposit).

 

When I directed Hedwig in a 60 seat theater with 12 performances it was around 2,900. I believe the deposit was $400 but it might have been $700 because my brain is now second guessing itself.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 7:00pm

FosseTharp said: "It should not be as expensive as some have said. Dramatists has the most affordable rights of any of the major rights holders. They will charge you a royalty fee based on number of performances, average ticket price, and number of seats in the venue and charge based on how much your potential gross is; Plus a refundable deposit for the libretto and band scores. Three performances in a 30 seat space would most likely be under 2,000. I’d guess closer to the 1,000-1,200 range (excluding deposit)."

Dramatists is not a rights holder; it is an intermediary. As such, it plays no role in setting prices.