1. How do I order a play?
2. If you're sending me an electronic copy, why do you need a street address and a phone number?
3. I could use some help choosing plays that will fit my needs. Can you help me?
4. Do you have a play catalogue?
5. Do I have to pay for perusal copies?
6. Do I have to pay for scripts for my production?
7. Can I get a printable perusal copy of a play?
8. Do you sell hard copy (printed) acting editions of your scripts?
9. Am I allowed to use one of your free monologues in competition?
10. I'm ready to license a play for production or competition. What are my payment options?
11. How long does it take to receive plays once I place my order?
12. I placed an order, and it's been more than 48 hours, but my scripts haven't arrived.
13. Why do I have to provide potential production dates when I order a perusal copy?
14. Can I have a play physically mailed to me?
15. How many performances do I need to order? What constitutes a performance?
16. Why is paying royalties so important?
17. Can I change my performance dates once I've paid royalties?
18. I've already paid royalties for one or more performances. I'd like to license additional performances. What's the best way to do that?
19. Can I make changes to a play?
20. We have had to cancel our production. Are there refunds?
21. I'd like to use a cutting from a play (a scene or monologue) for a Thespian Individual Event or similar competition.
22. What if I want to use a play for speech or forensics competition?
23. I want to use a play for forensics, but there's no forensics ordering option for it.
24. I want to use a play in the classroom, but I don't want to stage a production at this time.
25. Do you offer any play anthologies?
26. Do you send out printed catalogues?
27. How does YouthPLAYS compare in cost to a traditional publisher?
28. Do you accept play submissions? If so, how do I submit?
29. Do your plays have ISBN numbers?


Q1: How do I order a play?
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. You'll be asked whether you wish to order a perusal copy (either a free non-printable one or a printable one for a nominal charge) or performance rights. In the case of short duets/monologues, you will also have the option of ordering forensics rights (i.e. speech competition). Continue to follow the instructions to add the play to your shopping cart, and then you can either checkout or continue shopping. Once you finalize your order at checkout, you will receive an automated confirmation email. Orders are then reviewed and approved manually, at which point your scripts go out through our automated system, accompanied by the appropriate contract.

Q2: If you're sending me an electronic copy, why do you need a street address and a phone number?
A: In order to safeguard our authors' intellectual property, we need to have complete information about where their material is being sent. So even though you're being sent a script electronically, you still need to provide your "real world" contact information, just like any "bricks and mortar" play publisher would require. Please be sure to review your information carefully, as any errors (e.g. missing digits) can hold up processing of your order. Knowingly providing fictitious contact information is grounds for an order being discarded.

For students who are uncomfortable with providing this information, we would recommend that you have a parent or teacher order on your behalf, or use your school address and phone number.

Q3: I could use some help choosing plays that will fit my needs. Can you help me?
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.

Q4: Do you have a play catalogue?
A: Yes, we do. If you click on Download a Catalogue from the menu on the left, you can choose to open or save a printable PDF file with our list of plays. We update it on a regular basis, but be aware that the website Browse Our Plays will always have the absolute latest listings.

Q5: Do I have to pay for perusal copies?
A: Nope! Perusal copies are free in non-printable PDF format. Just place your order and it will arrive in your email inbox shortly. However, if you'd like a printable PDF perusal copy, you may purchase one for a small fee. You will find that each play has a printable perusal order option.

Q6: Do I have to pay for scripts for my production?
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.

Q7: Can I get a printable perusal copy of a play?
A: We recognize that not everyone wants to read a play on a computer screen. So if you'd like, you may purchase printable perusal copies of our plays; it's one of the options when you click "Place an Order." You can add a printable perusal to your shopping cart just as you would a non-printable one or performance rights. Please keep in mind that these are for perusal/individual use only and may not be copied for classroom or production use without the purchase of performance royalties or a classroom license. And, of course, you may still order free non-printable perusal copies of all of our plays, just as you always have.

Q8: Do you sell hard copy (printed) acting editions of your scripts?
A: We have begun to introduce printed acting editions of our plays for those who prefer to read plays "the old-fashioned way." They even have special feature that you can't find anywhere else: a mini-interview with the play's author that will give you insights about the play and the playwright. As plays become available, look for a notice on its special page. It may take some time before we can integrate our shopping cart, so in the meantime, you'll need to email us at info@youthplays.com. You may order a single perusal copy, or enough copies for your entire cast and crew. If you choose to do the latter, your royalties will be slightly adjusted so that you're paying the "each additional performance" royalty. For example, if a play's royalty is normally $80 for the first performance and $60 for each additional performance, if you decide to purchase hard copy scripts, you'll pay $60 per performance.

Q9: Am I allowed to use one of your free monologues in competition?
A: We are happy to grant permission to use any of our free monologues in competition with the purchase of a printable perusal script of the play from which it comes.

Q10: I'm ready to license a play for production or competition. What are my payment options?
A: When you go through the checkout process and select performance or forensics royalties, your first stop will be a Google Checkout button that will pop up no matter how you plan to pay. Next, you'll be asked to review and accept our Royalty Statement by clicking another Google Checkout button. If you're not logged in, you'll be prompted to log in or to create a new account.

Individuals or organizations outside of the United States will then have a choice of paying either by check or credit card (through secure Google Checkout). Organizations in the United States will also have a third option: a purchase order. If you select purchase order, you will be prompted for a purchase order number. We will then invoice you and your organization via email.

Credit card and purchase order payments are considered "paid" and are processed right away, whereas payments by check must be received before orders will be processed.

Keep in mind that all checks must be in US dollars, and orders paid by check may be held until the funds clear. To expedite this process, we recommend obtaining a bank/cashier's check or a money order.

Want another option, or having trouble with paying through our automated system? We are happy to accept payments via PayPal to payment@youthplays.com, and we can also send you an electronic invoice via Google Checkout or a funds request via PayPal if you'd prefer. Once we receive your payment and you provide the order details, we'll place the order for you, and your printable materials will be on their way shortly. Just let us know how we can help!

Q11: How long does it take to receive plays once I place my order?
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.

Q12: I placed an order, and it's been more than 48 hours, but my scripts haven't arrived.
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, sometimes even before they reach you at all. But 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.

Q13: Why do I have to provide potential production dates when I order a perusal copy?
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.

Q14: Can I have a play physically mailed to me?
A: While we recommend ordering an electronic copy of our plays (it's faster, cheaper and more environmentally friendly), we are gradually introducing printed copies of our plays for those who prefer their scripts this way. Look for a notice on each play's page when it becomes available.

Q15: How many performances do I need to order? What constitutes a performance?
A: You must order one performance royalty for each time the play is produced in the presence of an audience outside of the cast and crew. It doesn't matter whether admission is being charged, whether the actors (or anyone else) are being paid, or whether it's part of a school assembly or other program. Therefore, an "invited" dress rehearsal at which friends, family or staff view the show still counts as one performance.

Q16: Why is paying royalties so important?
A: On the most basic, practical level, our authors generate some or all of their income through the licensing of their work for production. When one doesn't pay this money, that could be an author's rent or food money or electric bill. Being able to earn money through the licensing of their plays allows playwrights to have time to create new work (as a profession and not simply a hobby) for the stage for schools and theatres to perform. On a philosophical level, the payment of a royalty is a statement that a play is something of value, and acknowledges the time and effort that went into it--just as one would be paid to do any other job. Finally, it's important to remember that a play is wholly owned by the author, and failure to license your performance in advance and pay royalties is copyright infringement, which is against the law both in the United States and abroad. The penalties for infringement include statutory damages of up to $150,000 per incident, plus legal costs...so just don't do it.

Q17: Can I change my performance dates once I've paid royalties?
A: Yes. Just send us an email to info@youthplays.com with the revised dates.

Q18: I've already paid royalties for one or more performances. I'd like to license additional performances. What's the best way to do that?
A: This is a common occurrence when a group has licensed a play for competition and advances, for example, or wishes to add extra performances for the school community. Send us an email to info@youthplays.com and give us your name, school and the play you're performing. We'll invoice you so that you pay the "additional performance" rate rather than the "first performance" rate.

Q19: Can I make changes to a play?
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. Please be specific. Because we must confirm any requests with the play's author, be sure to contact us sufficiently in advance.

Q20: We have had to cancel our production. Are there refunds?
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 may be credited toward a future play.

Q21: I'd like to use a cutting from a play (a scene or monologue) for a Thespian Individual Event or similar competition.
A: Royalties are waived for the use of excerpts/cuttings lasting less than ten minutes in Thespian IEs or similar adjudicated competitions. Participants are required to purchase through the YouthPLAYS website a single printable perusal copy (or hard copy, if available and they prefer) of the play from which the monologue or scene comes. Once you have done so, you may either print this explanation as permission to perform or contact info@youthplays.com with your name, school and event information to receive a statement of permission. Please email us with any specific questions about the usage of materials.

Q22: What if I want to use a play for speech or forensics competition?
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. (And if you're looking for material for a Thespian IE, there's a specific FAQ question that addresses this.)

Q23: I want to use a play for forensics, but there's no forensics ordering option for it.
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.

Q24: I want to use a play in the classroom, but I don't want to stage a production at this time.
A: If you simply wish to read a play (for example, to understand it better because you're using one of our monologues), you may order a free non-printable perusal copy and simply disregard the production contract. If you need to print your individual copy (not to be photocopied or distributed beyond that one copy), you may order a printable perusal copy for a nominal fee. Each play has information on its page about the cost of its printable perusal (more on this elsewhere in the FAQ). If the play needs to be printed/copied and distributed for classroom use, typically, you will be assessed a fee equivalent to one performance for the right to do so. Go ahead and purchase a single performance and send us an email that it's for classroom use only. Still have questions? Email us at info@youthplays.com.

Q25: Do you offer any play anthologies?
A: Yes, we do. Our first anthology, On the Edge, consists of 8 short plays from our catalogue that offer challenging roles for mature young actors. You may 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). We've got several new anthologies in the works. Look for them in 2011!

Q26: Do you send out printed catalogues?
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.

Q27: How does YouthPLAYS compare in cost to a traditional publisher?
A: While we think our plays are a great choice regardless of budget, our plays are generally considerably cheaper than those available at traditional "bricks and mortar" 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.

Q28: Do you accept play submissions? If so, how do I submit?
A: We are always interested in submissions of plays and musicals that are appropriate for young actors/audiences. Please click on the Submit a Play link on the left-menu and read the guidelines carefully.

Q29: Do your plays have ISBN numbers?
A: We are in the process of assigning ISBN numbers to our plays as we create hard copy versions of them. If you need a play with an ISBN number for competition purposes, we are happy to expedite the assignment process, though hard copy publication will take a few months to complete at this point.