SPELLING BEE... Help!?

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SPELLING BEE... Help!?

Posted: 10/2/10 at 1:04am

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

I am directing a production of SPELLING BEE at a university here in New York later in the year. I have been able to locate all the materials to start preparing, however there is an appendix in the back of the script which has information on audience participation scenarios as well as a suggested list of words, definitions and sentences. I have not been able to find it anywhere. If anyone has it, or could point me in the right direction it would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks in advance! :)

SPELLING BEE... Help!?

Posted: 10/2/10 at 11:38am

I'm confused- it's in the back of the script right? And you have a script?

SPELLING BEE... Help!?

Posted: 10/2/10 at 11:49am

Something tells me that this is one of those "I'm just getting a group of friends together to do it in our college's studio/blackbox theatre, I don't really need to actually get the performance rights cleared or pay royalties" productions.

I apologize if I am incorrect, but this is the gut reaction I had to your query.

SPELLING BEE... Help!?

Posted: 10/2/10 at 1:36pm

Call MTI. If you're directing this production and you have the rights there will be no problem.

"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." -Stephen Colbert

SPELLING BEE... Help!?

Posted: 10/2/10 at 2:28pm

My impression is that the OP wants to be able to see the materials before receiving the official ones from MTI.

SPELLING BEE... Help!?

Posted: 10/2/10 at 4:40pm

Well, which is it? Impatient, illegitimate production or both?

SPELLING BEE... Help!?

Posted: 10/2/10 at 4:49pm

Exactly what materials do you have to start preparing? At first it sounds like you have a script. Did you buy the rights from MTI? If so, there shouldn't be an issue, and you should have what you need. Otherwise, it sounds like you are directing a production you don't have the necessary rights to.

"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

SPELLING BEE... Help!?

Posted: 10/3/10 at 1:11pm

So, to clarify. This is not a basement-no-royalties-production. As I'm sure you're all aware (or maybe you're not) there is a maximum number of weeks before a production that MTI will send out materials. I have been able to read the libretto, but have not seen the back appendix which houses audience instructions, a list of scenarios, and suggested words and definitions. I am simply trying to do my director homework and be as prepared and studied as possible. That's all. No illegalities or conspiracy.

So, again, if anyone can provide any help it would be greatly appreciated!

SPELLING BEE... Help!?

Posted: 10/3/10 at 5:01pm

So you are asking in a public forum for someone to send you information to which you are not legally entitled AND...since all materials are the property of MTI and only LEASED, it would be illegal for someone to still have them if they are not currently working on the production. And if they made copies of the materials while legally IN their possission, THAT'S illegal, too.

(I'm not saying that there aren't folks that copy scripts they are not suppose to -- I'm just pointing some things out.)

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

#10

SPELLING BEE... Help!?

Posted: 10/3/10 at 9:25pm

I totally understand. People stop being rude. When does (s)he ask someone to mail them a copy? They simply want an outline or link.

Marla: I have to go sing about a life I never led.

#11

SPELLING BEE... Help!?

Posted: 10/3/10 at 9:28pm

But the info he is looking for is obviously material that is copywrite protected. Period.

He can contact MTI and pay for the materials for an extra alloted amount of time.

#12

SPELLING BEE... Help!?

Posted: 10/3/10 at 9:35pm

Very true. But you know people do it. But you're right. Definetly. ;~)

Marla: I have to go sing about a life I never led.

#13

SPELLING BEE... Help!?

Posted: 10/3/10 at 9:41pm

I know, I said as much a few posts up. Doesn't make it right, and I hate that most people don't even realize that it is wrong. But then again, the youth of today have the morals of a Bunny Ranch Inhabitant. (But at least THEIR actions are legal.)

Updated On: 10/3/10 at 09:41 PM

#14

SPELLING BEE... Help!?

Posted: 10/4/10 at 6:59pm

You could also bite the bullet and pay the fees to get the rehearsal material in advance. I know I've fought with directors over doing that so me, the lowly music director, could possibly not be sight reading, say, City of Angels or Parade at the auditions. In fact, I've never done an MTI show where the production staff didn't eventually agree to pay for the material to be shipped out early.

#15

SPELLING BEE... Help!?

Posted: 10/4/10 at 7:04pm

Precisely. For an extra fee, they all will make their scripts available sooner.

Some even go a bit further. I'm currently working w/Tams Witmark and had requested a perusal a month or so before I submitted paperwork for our current production. When I did, they simply told me to keep my perusal and that it was one less book they would be shipping out to me at the right tome.

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