Live-Streaming, On-Demand Video & Recording

1. What is live-streaming?

   Live-streaming is when you broadcast (i.e. stream) a performance of a play. At YouthPLAYS, as long as live-streaming is permitted for a particular play, we allow productions that are both live or recorded earlier and then broadcast at a specific time. The performers may be on stage, with or without audience, or they may be in their own homes or other remote/virtual locations.

2. Which of your plays are available for live-streamed and virtual production?

   Almost our entire catalogue is available for secure live-streamed performance or secure on-demand performance, and most titles are available for non-secure options (unmonetized school websites and unmonetized social media sites) as well. To see exactly which options are available for a particular play, visit its dedicated page (you'll see all available options in its pricing area). Our complete Live-Streaming Guide is a great starting point to learn about the different streaming options, and visit our Detailed Search, where you can search for plays that are particularly virtual-friendly.

3. I want to produce a play virtually. What do I do?

   Click here to read our YouthPLAYS Live-Streaming Guide for a step-by-step through the process. But in case you want the short version, here are the steps:

   • Pick the play you'd like to produce and go to its page on the website.
   • Order scripts (either enough physical copies for your cast and crew, or a production copy license).
   • Order performance royalties (one for each time you plan to perform the play—so if you want to show the play online at two different times, buy two performance royalties).
   • Order your streaming/video package. Want to live-stream? Order Silver or higher. Need on-demand? Go Gold or higher. (All of the packages are described in detail in the Guide.)
   • Before you checkout, assuming you plan to stream, you will be asked to give us the name of the company/platform that you will be using to stream your performances (for now, place it in the Note to the Publisher). We have five companies (they're in the Guide) that we recommend because their technology and security meet our standards. Having said that, we don't require you to use them as long as you can demonstrate that the platform you will be using is secure (unless you have purchased the Platinum or Diamond packages, which allow you to broadcast on non-secure platforms).
4. What companies do you recommend for broadcasting shows securely and selling tickets?

   We have five Preferred Live-Streaming Partners: AnywhereSeat by Ludus, BookTix, Broadway on Demand, On the Stage and ShowTix4U. All of them can help you live-stream your production securely, make it available on demand, and, of course, sell tickets to it.

5. I know that the Bronze Package allows me to make an archival recording. What may I do with that archival recording?

   You may give a free copy (DVD or download) to each cast and crew member for their individual, non-commercial use. You may also use your copy for face-to-face or virtual instruction in your classroom. The archival recording may not be sold or used for a commercial purpose.

6. Can we sell our archival recordings?

   If you'd like to sell copies of the archival recording, please purchase the Fundraising Add-On, in addition to a Bronze or higher video and streaming package.

7. Can we stream our show on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or a similar social media site?

   With a Platinum or Diamond streaming package, you may stream your show on an unmonetized school website or unmonetized social media website and leave the performance up for two weeks (Platinum) or indefinitely (Diamond), respectively. Silver and Gold packages allow for secure streaming/on-demand only. Please note that not all packages are available for every play (it depends on what the author will allow).

8. If I'm doing multiple performances, do I need more than one streaming/video package?

   No. You just need one streaming/video package to cover your production.

9. We want to show our production at a conference. What video and streaming package do we need?

   If there will be a specific showtime, then you need the Silver package (and to purchase a performance royalty for that specific performance) or higher. However, if the conference would like to make the performance available throughout the conference period, then you'd want at least the Gold package, which allows for on-demand viewing (along with one performance royalty).

   However, let's say you want to produce the play at a specific day/time at your school (for example, Thursday at 8 PM as a preview performance) and then make a recording of that same performance available for on-demand viewing at a conference on Friday and Saturday. In that case, purchase the Gold package along with a single performance royalty. Your Thursday 8 PM show would be the licensed performance, and then the conference would be considered on-demand streaming (you get up to two weeks of on-demand with the Gold package).

   If you have already used up your on-demand time, then please purchase one royalty for each day your play would stream at the conference. So if you conference is Friday and Saturday, that would be two performance royalties.

10. What does "unmonetized" mean when it comes to the Platinum and Diamond packages?

    While this is unlikely to be an issue with school websites, some social media sites (notably YouTube) allow certain accounts to monetize their videos; they get paid every time someone watches a video, indicated by the presence of banner or other advertising. While you are welcome to sell tickets to your performance (Silver or higher) or to sell on-demand viewing of your show (Gold or higher), you may not monetize a video on social media (or a school site) with any of our packages.