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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 perusal 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 I have to provide potential production dates when I order a perusal copy?
9. Can I have a play snail mailed to me?
10. Can I change my performance dates once I've paid royalties?
11. Can I make changes to a play?
12. We have had to cancel our production. Are there refunds?
13. What if I want to use a play for speech or forensics competition?
14. I want to use a play for forensics, but there's no forensics ordering option for it.
15. I want to use a play in the classroom, but I don't want to stage a production at this time.
16. Do you offer any play anthologies?
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 For our unpublished works, you'll be asked whether you wish to order a perusal copy or performance rights.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. You can email us at info@youthplays.com (include as much information as you can), or call us at 424-703-5315 (US callers only, between 10 AM-6 PM Pacific time). If you'd like to email a phone number, we'll be happy to call you, even if you're out of the United States.
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: Nope! 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 electronically with colleagues at your school or theatre as necessary.
A: Our goal is to respond to orders within 24-48 hours at the latest. Typically, though, orders are processed much sooner (i.e. within a few hours, and sometimes within minutes). Please keep in mind that orders do not process automatically, but must first be reviewed and approved.
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, particularly school or government email addresses, may block them. But even if your email isn't cooperating, have no fear. Just log into the website (using your email address with which you signed up and the password you created when ordering) and click on My Account in the upper right corner. You'll see a list of Your Orders. Just click View for the order in question, and then click on the link to download your materials.
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 prior written permission from YouthPLAYS. Please email us at info@youthplays.com with any questions or requests regarding a particular script. Because we must confirm any requests with the play's author, be sure to contact us sufficiently in advance.
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 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 forensics royalty 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. Also, we'll be introducing a series of anthologies specially priced for the classroom (see the FAQ section on that). Still have questions? Email us.
A: We will be doing so very soon. Our first anthology, On the Edge, will consist of roughly 8 short plays from our catalogue that offer challenging roles for mature young actors. There will be a special license that allows you to purchase a printable PDF to distribute in your classroom--ideal for scene study, in class performances and projects. Public performances of individual plays will require an additional royalty (depending on how many plays you wish to perform). Look for it by early August, if not sooner!
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 only what you need and protect the planet.
A: While we think our plays are a great choice regardless of budget, our plays are generally considerably cheaper than those available at traditional publishers. Why? Because our performance royalties include permission to make sufficient copies of the script/score for your production, thus saving you as much as several hundred dollars on a large cast play or musical.
A: We are always interested in submissions of plays and musicals that are appropriate for young actors/audiences. If you are not a current YouthPLAYS author, please email a query letter that includes a short synopsis of the script, as well as a cast breakdown (male/female/either, plus any notes about flexibility), running time, and your thoughts about the age group for which it's most suitable (e.g. high school or older performers performing for elementary age students). Please also include a short bio. Do NOT send a full script. If we feel the script is potentially appropriate, we will request a reading copy.
Current YouthPLAYS authors are welcome to 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. Be sure there is a title page and a page with a cast list.
We are particularly interested in large or flexible cast one-act or full-length plays (female-heavy plays are always good). We also accept 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 have teen/child characters only. Longer plays may be suitable for performance by young actors (primarily younger characters) or by adult actors performing for youth audiences. In the case of adaptations, please be sure you have all the appropriate permissions (i.e. from the underlying rights holder, if the material is not in the public domain) in place before contacting us. Response time is roughly 3-6 months.
If at any point after you have submitted a query or full script 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.
