The YouthPLAYS site has multiple search options.

• At the top of every page, you'll see a Search the Site box, which allows you to search for a title or author. We recommend choosing one word (though you can enter more than one).
• On the home page, you'll find the Search Plays box, which gives you more search power by allowing you to search not just by title and author, but also to include running time and cast size ranges, the type of producing group and the genre(s).
• Detailed Search has all of these options, plus also searches by keywords, cast size ranges broken down by gender and a curated group of special interests.

Still stumped? You can always fill out the Help Me Find a Play form on the home page and get our help in finding the perfect play for you!

Absolutely. Email us at [email protected] (please include as much information as you can) or call us at 424-703-5315 Monday through Friday between 10 AM-6 PM (Pacific time).

Our play catalogue is available as a downloadable PDF file, or reach it by pulling down the Plays & Musicals menu, where you'll see the Download Our Catalogue option. We update it on a regular basis, but be aware that the website Browse Our Plays will always have the absolute latest listings.

We've chosen not to have a hard-copy version of our catalogue to keep our carbon footprint as small as we can.

Simple. Browse the site using the Plays & Musicals pulldown link, or search using either the basic search on the front page or the detailed search. Once something catches your eye, go to that play's page. You'll see a synopsis, a substantial free preview and a list of things you can order, with a question mark alongside each item. Float your cursor over the question mark for more information about each item.

Typically the best way to start is with a perusal copy (either a digital one or, when available, a printed acting edition). From there, once you're sure the play is for you, you'll order performance rights and either a Production Copy License (which allows you to make unlimited copies of a PDF file for your production) and/or enough hard copies for your cast and crew (when available). Just want to use the play in your classroom with no public performance? Order a Classroom Copy License. Add whatever you need to your shopping cart, and then you can either checkout or continue shopping. Once you finalize your order at checkout, you will receive an invoice/receipt in your email (you can also print one through the site if you misplace the email). Some orders (i.e., digital perusal scripts paid by credit/debit/PayPal) are auto-approved, while others are reviewed and approved manually, at which point digital scripts and performance licenses (where applicable) go out through our automated system. Hard copies will be physically shipped (you'll still get an email with a performance license when applicable). Professional theatres should email us directly at [email protected] to license performance rights.

Just select the play you'd like to order and then add either a Digital Perusal Script or a Printed Script (available for almost all titles) to your shopping cart. A Digital Perusal Script may be printed once. Please keep in mind that these are for perusal/individual use only and may not be copied for classroom or production use. To use a play in performance or the classroom, please purchase Performance Royalties and a Production Copy License, or a Classroom Copy License, respectively; these copy licenses come with a PDF file and permission to make copies for your cast/crew or classroom.

To produce a play, order the following:

Scripts. Purchase either sufficient hard copies of the play for your cast and crew (they may not be copied), a production PDF + copy license (a PDF file with permission to make unlimited copies for the cast and crew) or some combination of the two.

Performance Royalties. Order one for each time the play will be produced in the presence of an audience outside of the cast and crew (or outside of your closed classroom).

A Streaming/Video Package (Optional). If you wish to record an archival video of your production, stream the show (either live or prerecorded and shown at a specific time) or make the performance(s) accessible on-demand, you'll need to purchase one of our packages. Full details about each of the packages are in our Streaming Guide.

Visit any play's individual page to find out pricing, as well as which streaming/video packages are available.

Please select the materials you need by going to the individual page of each play (or book) you'd like to order. When you're ready for checkout, you'll be asked to log into your account or to create a new one. You'll choose a shipping option (if you have ordered scripts or books that need to be physically shipped) and then will be asked to review and accept our Royalty Statement.

Individuals or organizations outside of the United States will then have a choice of paying either by check, credit/debit card or PayPal. Organizations in the United States may also use a purchase order. If you select purchase order, you will be prompted to upload a PDF file of the purchase order and enter the purchase order number. If you don't have the purchase order in hand, there will be an option to upload it or email it to us later (your order won't be processed until you do, though).

Credit/debit, PayPal and purchase orders (once we've reviewed a copy of the PO) 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. Or just log back into our website and use credit/debit or PayPal to pay your check order. Once we receive your payment, we'll authorize the order, and your materials will be on their way shortly. Just let us know how we can help!

Printed and digital scripts, textbooks, copy licenses and musical tracks are non-refundable. In the case of performance royalties and video/streaming packages, these are refundable (minus any processing fees) up to 5:00 PM Pacific on the day of the scheduled production date. There are no refunds after the scheduled date of the first performance.

When an author writes a play, they don't receive a salary. Instead, royalties are how they are compensated for all of the hard work that goes into creating that play. Playwrights have the same expenses as everyone else: rent, food, medical bills, etc. 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 you 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. On a legal level, a play is wholly owned by its author(s), and failure to license your performance in advance and pay royalties (and purchase sufficient copies for the cast and crew) is copyright infringement, which is against the law both in the United States and abroad.

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.

Yes. Whenever a play is performed in the presence of an audience outside of the cast and crew (or outside of your closed classroom), royalties are due.

Where does the royalty money go?

You must purchase enough hard copy scripts (when available) for each member of your cast and crew, or a Production PDF + Copy License, which comes with a PDF file and permission to make as many copies as you need for your production.

It depends. Our authors tend to be very supportive of these requests, but you have to ask first, unless the script itself already gives you permission. Otherwise, to make cuts, additions or changes to the script (dialogue or stage directions), you must receive written permission from YouthPLAYS. Please email us at [email protected] with any questions or requests regarding a particular script. Please be specific (include specific lines with their page numbers). Because we must confirm any requests with the play's author, be sure to contact us sufficiently in advance.

At YouthPLAYS, there are many options for recording, live-streaming and on-demand broadcast to fit your needs. Our Streaming Guide will walk you through choosing the right package for you.

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 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.

The Bronze Package (and all higher streaming/video packages) allows you to record the show and 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. To sell your archival recording, you must purchase the Fundraising Add-On. Details in our Streaming Guide.

If you'd like to record the production and sell copies, you must purchase the Fundraising Add-On, in addition to a Bronze or higher video and streaming package. See our Streaming Guide for details.

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).

Royalties are waived for the use of excerpts/cuttings/short plays lasting less than ten minutes for forensics, speech, Irene Ryan or similar adjudicated competitions where the plays are not substantially produced (i.e., no sets, lighting, costumes, etc). Permission for this use only is automatically granted so long as each participant has purchased a digital perusal copy or printed copy of the full play through YouthPLAYS. 

To use a scene or monologue in Thespys, you are not required to purchase a copy (or copies) of the script, but we strongly encourage you to do so. Reading a play in its entirety helps you better understand your chosen scene or monologue and the characters in it, and  and your purchase supports the playwright who created the material. Please email us at [email protected] with any specific questions about the usage of materials.

For cuttings of under 10 minutes being used in an adjudicated competition, as long as your video is being uploaded to a secure site where it will only be viewed for purposes of adjudication, there are no additional requirements beyond the original requirements to perform the competition piece.

If you wish to use a play in the classroom (i.e., your class will be studying it as a group), you may either purchase a classroom set (if hard copies are available) or a Classroom PDF + Copy License, which includes a PDF file that may be copied to create a classroom set. If you need a limited number of copies for small group work, you may purchase the requisite number of printed or digital copies. Please keep in mind that scripts may not be copied unless you've purchased the Classroom PDF + Copy License. As long as the play is not performed in front of an audience (i.e., people who are not enrolled in your class), you do not need to purchase royalties.

We are always interested in submissions of plays and musicals that are appropriate for young actors/audiences. Please go to our submissions page (Main Menu>Authors>Submit a Play) and read the guidelines carefully.

We absolutely do NOT and never will. All plays at YouthPLAYS are written by human beings.

Printed and digital scripts, textbooks, copy licenses and musical tracks are non-refundable. In the case of performance royalties and video/streaming packages, these are refundable (minus any processing fees) up to 5:00 PM Pacific on the day of the scheduled production date. There are no refunds after the scheduled date of the first performance.

We have a W-9 ready to send in PDF form. Please email us at [email protected] (use [email protected] if you're writing in reference to an existing order) and we'll get it to you right away.

You'll find the ISBN listed on the play's copyright information page.