Shopping Cart: 0 item | Checkout 
Help / FAQ
1. How do I order a play?2. I could use some help choosing plays that will fit my needs. Can you help me?
3. Do I have to pay for persual copies?
4. Do I have to pay for scripts?
5. Can I get a printable perusal copy of a play?
6. How long does it take to receive plays once I place my order?
7. I placed an order, and it's been more than 48 hours, but my scripts haven't arrived.
8. Why do some plays have external order links, instead of my being able to order them on the site?
9. Why do I have to provide potential production dates when I order a perusal copy?
10. Can I have a play snail mailed to me?
11. Can I change my performance dates once I've paid royalties?
12. Can I make changes to a play?
13. We have had to cancel our production. Are there refunds?
14. What if I want to use a play for speech or forensics competition?
15. I want to use a play for forensics, but there's no forensics ordering option for it.
16. I want to use a play in the classroom, but I don't want to stage a production at this time.
17. Do you send out printed catalogues?
18. How does YouthPLAYS compare in cost to a traditional publisher?
19. Do you accept play submissions? If so, how do I submit?
A: Simple. Just click on the Browse Our Plays link and look around for something that catches your eye. Go to that play's special page and click on the Place an Order button. For our unpublished works, you'll be asked whether you wish to order a perusal copy or performance rights. Continue to follow the instructions to add the play to your shopping cart, and then you can either checkout or continue shopping.
A: Absolutely. Just send us an email with as much information as you can, and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible. If you'd like to leave a phone number, we'll even give you a call.
A: Nope! Perusal copies are free in non-printable PDF format. Just place your order and it will arrive in your email inbox shortly.
A: On plays that are ordered directly from YouthPLAYS, payment of performance royalties automatically grants you permission to print and photocopy the script as needed for your production. There is no separate fee or purchase required for scripts.
A: Unfortunately, not at this time. But feel free to share the non-printable PDF file with colleagues at your school or theatre as necessary.
A: Our goal is to respond to orders within 24-48 hours at the latest--and often much, much sooner (i.e. sometimes within minutes).
A: Chances are they did--and got caught by your spam filter. Check your spam box to make sure your scripts and contracts aren't waiting for you there, and be sure to add info@youthplays.com to your whitelist so that mail from us gets through to you. Also, please make sure you are able to receive attachments--some systems may block them. Still no sign of your materials? Email us at info@youthplays.com, and we will resend your virtual package.
A: Plays by the founders that are published with other companies are still listed here, because we believe they're such great choices for young actors and audiences that you should know about them.
A: This information, which can be changed as necessary, allows us to generate a contract which may then be mailed in directly for those who wish to pay by check offline.
A: We do not ship plays through the traditional mail. It's part of how we save you money and time, and ease the strain on the environment.
A: Yes. Just send us an email to info@youthplays.com with the revised dates.
A: No cuts, additions or changes of any kind may be made to the script (dialogue or stage directions) without express prior permission from YouthPLAYS. Please email us at info@youthplays.com with any questions or requests regarding a particular script.
A: Unfortunately, we cannot refund royalties, as you have already received a printable script. You may reschedule your production to a later date, or if you would like to switch to a different (unpublished) play on our site, you may do so--provided you do so no later than one week prior to the opening date provided. Keep in mind that you will be assessed a change fee equivalent to one performance of the original play. The rest can be credited toward a future play.
A: Our monologues and duets are already set up for this. Just order a perusal copy and request a contract for forensics. The royalty of $20 allows you to print the copies you need for one team per year at your school to use the piece an unlimited number of times in competition. Want to use a cutting from one of our longer pieces? Email us and we'll see what we can work out.
A: In most cases, we only preset forensics ordering options for short duets and monologues. But if you'd like to use a longer piece, email us and we'll work out a reasonable forensics licensing fee.
A: Typically, you will be assessed a fee equivalent to one performance for the right to print and copy a play for classroom use. Please contact us at info@youthplays.com for more information.
A: To save the environment, we try not to. You can download a PDF version of the catalogue by clicking on the "Download a Catalogue" link on the left, or if you're having trouble, we'll be happy to email you one. That way, you can print out only what you need and protect the planet.
A: While we think our plays are a great choice regardless of budget, plays available directly through the YouthPLAYS website are also considerably cheaper than those available at traditional publishers. Why? Because our performance royalties include permission to make sufficient copies of the script for your production, thus saving you as much as several hundred dollars on a large cast play or musical.
A: We accept submissions of plays and musicals that are appropriate for young actors/audiences. Please email the script as a single PDF (preferred), Final Draft or Word file to info@youthplays.com with the subject line "Play Submission." Dramatists Guild of America Modern or Traditional formats preferred. Please include a cover letter in the BODY of your email with a succinct description of the play, including running time and cast size/breakdown, as well as a paragraph about your playwriting experience. In the case of musicals, please attach or provide links to at least 2 songs, so that we can get a sense of the music.
We are particularly interested in large or flexible cast one-act or full-length plays (female-heavy plays are always good), as well as monologues (6-8 minutes or longer--no shorter pieces or monologues that are part of a longer play) and duets (8-10 minutes). Monologues and duets should be suited for performance by young actors, whereas we welcome longer plays that can be performed either by young actors or by adult actors performing for young audiences. Response time is roughly 3-6 months.
We ask that authors who are not yet known to us begin by sending us one play only and allow us time to consider this material first before sending additional submissions. Further, if at any point after you have submitted your script becomes unavailable (e.g. because you accept another publication offer), please notify us immediately, so that we can devote our resources to material that is still available to us. If you receive another offer, we are also happy to expedite consideration of your play so that you may potentially consider both offers.
