Could someone kindly guide me on the possible procedures present to gain permission to direct and stage an American play in Europe please? And how to win over the person I need to contact to gain said permission? I would like to direct a contemporary play hopefully late this year if not next year and don't want to face any unnecessary problems.
Much appreciated - thanks!
Rights for licensing most plays are usually handled by their publishers. Find the publisher on the front page of the text or libretto and you'll find the copyright symbol followed by the publisher. Then find their website on line. Most of them try to make it pretty easy, because that's how they make their money.
A few examples of publishers that handle play are:
https://www.samuelfrench.com/
https://www.mtishows.com/licensing-a-show
https://www.dramatists.com/
If the play you want is not handled by a publisher, you can try reaching out directly to the writer. That will involve a bit more searching.
Fees vary by play. For a small theatre in an off-market $100 per performance plus royalties is a common rate. There are also Non-professional performance rates that can often be free or very negligible, especially for schools and cultural advancement non-profits.
David Trotti Thanks David! According to chosen script, it's published by Faber and Faber but it says specifically to contact in advance one Joyce Ketay, which I have managed to find her email address online. So she ought to be the next best thing if searching to contact the author is tricky.
I looked her up. Her theatrical agency got bought by Gersh in 2006. If you have trouble reaching her at the email you have, try contacting Gersh to see if she's still there or if the playwright you want is repped by them.
The Gersh Agency
http://gersh.com
+1 212 997 1818
info@gershla.com
Good luck!
This is awesome - thank you so much for your help! Saved me alot of trouble there.
David Trotti Ketay's email address that I used didn't work, and I think the email address you gave me had a typo cos when i did gersh.com in the address section it got through. Now here's hoping that someone there will direct my email to her or answer me with the info i need.
And the waiting game begins . . .
Glad to hear it went through. Best of luck connecting with the playwright. If Gersh doesn't rep him or her, and you're having trouble with leads, post the name and play here and I'll see what I can find for you.