Open Forum

My school and community are not open to language being used on stage.  The contracts we sign to license a show specifically say you will not change any part of the show without written permission from the publisher - which would include editing language.  I have written on several occasions to ask for permission to change a word or two on well known shows and am always denied.  Because my district says no language and the publisher says no changes it has become increasingly difficult to find plays to produce.

It seems there are many posts on this site about teachers who are changing lyrics or lines. Are you getting permission somehow that I am not aware of?  Am I writing to the wrong people?  Or..... well, I would hate to think we are not honoring our fellow artists and breaking the very laws that protect their artistic work. 

Thoughts....?

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Amy Learn
Ballwin MO
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Hi Amy,

You should start by asking your licensing representative at the company that licenses the show. In some cases they will know the answer immediately and in others they may have to contact the author(s) on your behalf. Here's a 2013 blog article from the TRW website that addresses this issue,http://www.theatricalrights.com/blog/2013/01/30/changes-just-ask-2/. "> http://www.theatricalrights.com/blog/2013/01/30/changes-just-ask-2/.

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Jim Hoare
Director of Licensing
New York NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2014 08:30
From: Amy Learn
Subject: Changing the book and copyright issues

My school and community are not open to language being used on stage.  The contracts we sign to license a show specifically say you will not change any part of the show without written permission from the publisher - which would include editing language.  I have written on several occasions to ask for permission to change a word or two on well known shows and am always denied.  Because my district says no language and the publisher says no changes it has become increasingly difficult to find plays to produce.

It seems there are many posts on this site about teachers who are changing lyrics or lines. Are you getting permission somehow that I am not aware of?  Am I writing to the wrong people?  Or..... well, I would hate to think we are not honoring our fellow artists and breaking the very laws that protect their artistic work. 

Thoughts....?

-------------------------------------------
Amy Learn
Ballwin MO
-------------------------------------------

Thanks, Jim!
That is the route I have always gone and have yet to be told it's ok to change lines or words for a well known show.  My requests have always been denied.  

A few years ago, after my request regarding The Odd Couple, I received an additional contract to sign (I had already licensed the show, but this arrived after I requested to delete the f-bomb) that indicated I would not change any word in the show OR soften it's intended meaning in any way.  If I didn't sign the additional contract - I could not do the show.

It seems that there are a lot of folks on here talking about changing lines in shows and I'm wondering if that is happening with publisher permission or if it's just happening.  


-------------------------------------------
Amy Learn
Ballwin MO
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2014 10:46
From: Jim Hoare
Subject: Changing the book and copyright issues

Hi Amy,

You should start by asking your licensing representative at the company that licenses the show. In some cases they will know the answer immediately and in others they may have to contact the author(s) on your behalf. Here's a 2013 blog article from the TRW website that addresses this issue,http://www.theatricalrights.com/blog/2013/01/30/changes-just-ask-2/. "> http://www.theatricalrights.com/blog/2013/01/30/changes-just-ask-2/.

-------------------------------------------
Jim Hoare
Director of Licensing
New York NY
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2014 08:30
From: Amy Learn
Subject: Changing the book and copyright issues

My school and community are not open to language being used on stage.  The contracts we sign to license a show specifically say you will not change any part of the show without written permission from the publisher - which would include editing language.  I have written on several occasions to ask for permission to change a word or two on well known shows and am always denied.  Because my district says no language and the publisher says no changes it has become increasingly difficult to find plays to produce.

It seems there are many posts on this site about teachers who are changing lyrics or lines. Are you getting permission somehow that I am not aware of?  Am I writing to the wrong people?  Or..... well, I would hate to think we are not honoring our fellow artists and breaking the very laws that protect their artistic work. 

Thoughts....?

-------------------------------------------
Amy Learn
Ballwin MO
-------------------------------------------

Amy, I just noticed your post about the Odd Couple.  There are some authors you cannot change.  Neil Simon is one of them.  He states it plainly in his scripts that they cannot be cut or revised.  You might find a hint of who those are by going to the Red List for Thespian Individual Events.  It gives playwrights that do not allow their work to be cut.  It might be a beginning place for you.

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Valerie Scott
Duluth GA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2014 11:19
From: Amy Learn
Subject: Changing the book and copyright issues

Thanks, Jim!
That is the route I have always gone and have yet to be told it's ok to change lines or words for a well known show.  My requests have always been denied.  

A few years ago, after my request regarding The Odd Couple, I received an additional contract to sign (I had already licensed the show, but this arrived after I requested to delete the f-bomb) that indicated I would not change any word in the show OR soften it's intended meaning in any way.  If I didn't sign the additional contract - I could not do the show.

It seems that there are a lot of folks on here talking about changing lines in shows and I'm wondering if that is happening with publisher permission or if it's just happening.  


-------------------------------------------
Amy Learn
Ballwin MO
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2014 10:46
From: Jim Hoare
Subject: Changing the book and copyright issues

Hi Amy,

You should start by asking your licensing representative at the company that licenses the show. In some cases they will know the answer immediately and in others they may have to contact the author(s) on your behalf. Here's a 2013 blog article from the TRW website that addresses this issue,http://www.theatricalrights.com/blog/2013/01/30/changes-just-ask-2/. "> http://www.theatricalrights.com/blog/2013/01/30/changes-just-ask-2/.

-------------------------------------------
Jim Hoare
Director of Licensing
New York NY
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2014 08:30
From: Amy Learn
Subject: Changing the book and copyright issues

My school and community are not open to language being used on stage.  The contracts we sign to license a show specifically say you will not change any part of the show without written permission from the publisher - which would include editing language.  I have written on several occasions to ask for permission to change a word or two on well known shows and am always denied.  Because my district says no language and the publisher says no changes it has become increasingly difficult to find plays to produce.

It seems there are many posts on this site about teachers who are changing lyrics or lines. Are you getting permission somehow that I am not aware of?  Am I writing to the wrong people?  Or..... well, I would hate to think we are not honoring our fellow artists and breaking the very laws that protect their artistic work. 

Thoughts....?

-------------------------------------------
Amy Learn
Ballwin MO
-------------------------------------------

I have had the same issues you are describing.  I often send a note with my contract that says that because we are , in my case, a private Christian middle school,   I will  delete language unless I hear back from them.  They usually want me to cite where changes are made.  If it's a particular word, I state I will drop all usage of that word.  If it's a lyric, I list the changes made in the song.  I usually get a response back confirming it is alright. They will call or email.  I prefer email as it gives me a record.   If it's a sensual scene, I list the lines that will be cut.  I've found companies to be very accommodating.  I do not cut everything indiscriminately.  If it's important to characterization, I don't request a change. Some may feel this is a censorship issue.  I believe it is an age-appropriate issue. In 25 years of directing, I've only been turned down twice.
-------------------------------------------
Valerie Scott
Duluth GA
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2014 08:30
From: Amy Learn
Subject: Changing the book and copyright issues

My school and community are not open to language being used on stage.  The contracts we sign to license a show specifically say you will not change any part of the show without written permission from the publisher - which would include editing language.  I have written on several occasions to ask for permission to change a word or two on well known shows and am always denied.  Because my district says no language and the publisher says no changes it has become increasingly difficult to find plays to produce.

It seems there are many posts on this site about teachers who are changing lyrics or lines. Are you getting permission somehow that I am not aware of?  Am I writing to the wrong people?  Or..... well, I would hate to think we are not honoring our fellow artists and breaking the very laws that protect their artistic work. 

Thoughts....?

-------------------------------------------
Amy Learn
Ballwin MO
-------------------------------------------

Oh, I'm certain there are people that cut and change things without permission.  I never do this, and my students were shocked to learn that it's illegal.  Directors before me and other directors they work with cut and change things all the time.  I always use it as teaching moment with my students.  I also don't pick scripts that contain scenes or language that I think is inappropriate. 

-------------------------------------------
Kristi Jacobs-Stanley
New Orleans LA
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2014 08:30
From: Amy Learn
Subject: Changing the book and copyright issues

My school and community are not open to language being used on stage.  The contracts we sign to license a show specifically say you will not change any part of the show without written permission from the publisher - which would include editing language.  I have written on several occasions to ask for permission to change a word or two on well known shows and am always denied.  Because my district says no language and the publisher says no changes it has become increasingly difficult to find plays to produce.

It seems there are many posts on this site about teachers who are changing lyrics or lines. Are you getting permission somehow that I am not aware of?  Am I writing to the wrong people?  Or..... well, I would hate to think we are not honoring our fellow artists and breaking the very laws that protect their artistic work. 

Thoughts....?

-------------------------------------------
Amy Learn
Ballwin MO
-------------------------------------------

   This is an important topic.  I think there are too many directors/producers that think because they are in school they can change whatever they want to change.  I too have needed to make cuts for one reason or another, but each time I have written a letter to the royalty house with a reason and the lines in question.  I tend to do this prior to handing out scripts so that we go into the project knowing if the change can or can not be made.

   Most of the time, the people I have been in contact with are more than happy to help and in most cases give permission.  Some scripts I have even started to see coming out with alt. lines provided.  Sometimes no matter how much I want to do a show, I have to remember the standards of my community (which will be different from location to location and even year to year).  If I can't make changes (with the blessing of the authors), then I will not do the show.  

   This is an excellent lesson for the students to learn about. I do an activity where we read some some articles about theatre that got in trouble for changing a script.  We then look at statements from the royalty house and I also share with them the copies of contract clauses.  For the common core folks it provides a great lesson for an argument writing project.    

   
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Steven Fleming
Howard County Public School System


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Original Message:
Sent: 04-19-2014 21:07
From: Kristi Jacobs-Stanley
Subject: Changing the book and copyright issues

Oh, I'm certain there are people that cut and change things without permission.  I never do this, and my students were shocked to learn that it's illegal.  Directors before me and other directors they work with cut and change things all the time.  I always use it as teaching moment with my students.  I also don't pick scripts that contain scenes or language that I think is inappropriate. 

-------------------------------------------
Kristi Jacobs-Stanley
New Orleans LA
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2014 08:30
From: Amy Learn
Subject: Changing the book and copyright issues

My school and community are not open to language being used on stage.  The contracts we sign to license a show specifically say you will not change any part of the show without written permission from the publisher - which would include editing language.  I have written on several occasions to ask for permission to change a word or two on well known shows and am always denied.  Because my district says no language and the publisher says no changes it has become increasingly difficult to find plays to produce.

It seems there are many posts on this site about teachers who are changing lyrics or lines. Are you getting permission somehow that I am not aware of?  Am I writing to the wrong people?  Or..... well, I would hate to think we are not honoring our fellow artists and breaking the very laws that protect their artistic work. 

Thoughts....?

-------------------------------------------
Amy Learn
Ballwin MO
-------------------------------------------

There should be no debate that the procedure should always be to apply to the licensing houses to get permission.  Samuel French's policies and explanations are detailed on our FAQ page of our website where you can scroll down or type in "Changing the Script" - http://www.samuelfrench.com/faq.  Our Theatrical Specialists will be happy to hear from you and assist you in the process.  

Thank you to Steven Fleming and all the other dedicated teachers and drama directors that are helping to pass along these important lessons about intellectual property and copyright protection.


-------------------------------------------
Abbie Van Nostrand
Director of Corporate Communications
Samuel French, Inc.
New York NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-20-2014 19:23
From: Steven Fleming
Subject: Changing the book and copyright issues

   This is an important topic.  I think there are too many directors/producers that think because they are in school they can change whatever they want to change.  I too have needed to make cuts for one reason or another, but each time I have written a letter to the royalty house with a reason and the lines in question.  I tend to do this prior to handing out scripts so that we go into the project knowing if the change can or can not be made.

   Most of the time, the people I have been in contact with are more than happy to help and in most cases give permission.  Some scripts I have even started to see coming out with alt. lines provided.  Sometimes no matter how much I want to do a show, I have to remember the standards of my community (which will be different from location to location and even year to year).  If I can't make changes (with the blessing of the authors), then I will not do the show.  

   This is an excellent lesson for the students to learn about. I do an activity where we read some some articles about theatre that got in trouble for changing a script.  We then look at statements from the royalty house and I also share with them the copies of contract clauses.  For the common core folks it provides a great lesson for an argument writing project.    

   
-------------------------------------------
Steven Fleming
Howard County Public School System


-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 04-19-2014 21:07
From: Kristi Jacobs-Stanley
Subject: Changing the book and copyright issues

Oh, I'm certain there are people that cut and change things without permission.  I never do this, and my students were shocked to learn that it's illegal.  Directors before me and other directors they work with cut and change things all the time.  I always use it as teaching moment with my students.  I also don't pick scripts that contain scenes or language that I think is inappropriate. 

-------------------------------------------
Kristi Jacobs-Stanley
New Orleans LA
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2014 08:30
From: Amy Learn
Subject: Changing the book and copyright issues

My school and community are not open to language being used on stage.  The contracts we sign to license a show specifically say you will not change any part of the show without written permission from the publisher - which would include editing language.  I have written on several occasions to ask for permission to change a word or two on well known shows and am always denied.  Because my district says no language and the publisher says no changes it has become increasingly difficult to find plays to produce.

It seems there are many posts on this site about teachers who are changing lyrics or lines. Are you getting permission somehow that I am not aware of?  Am I writing to the wrong people?  Or..... well, I would hate to think we are not honoring our fellow artists and breaking the very laws that protect their artistic work. 

Thoughts....?

-------------------------------------------
Amy Learn
Ballwin MO
-------------------------------------------

At one EdTA convention, I met a wonderful Playright who gave me her home number, asked me to call, spent 45 minutes discussing her intent behind each character, and then proceeded to allow me to make every single change I requested!! I have written several one-act plays that are currently undergoing the publication process (it takes a loooong time!). As part of the publication process, the play MUST be performed as least once to be certain the show is, to coin a phrase, "stageable". That said, I have had to write alternate versions because of community and school expectations. Both the original and sanitized versions will be available once it hits the catalog. ------------------------------------------- Daniel Slowik Weston FL -------------------------------------------

A good rule is to have three productions by three different directors with three different casts before ever submitting to a publisher.  You usually only have one chance when you submit.

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Vicki Bartholomew
Playwright
Sherwood OR
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-23-2014 00:06
From: Daniel Slowik
Subject: Changing Lines

At one EdTA convention, I met a wonderful Playright who gave me her home number, asked me to call, spent 45 minutes discussing her intent behind each character, and then proceeded to allow me to make every single change I requested!!

I have written several one-act plays that are currently undergoing the publication process (it takes a loooong time!). As part of the publication process, the play MUST be performed as least once to be certain the show is, to coin a phrase, "stageable". That said, I have had to write alternate versions because of community and school expectations. Both the original and sanitized versions will be available once it hits the catalog.

-------------------------------------------
Daniel Slowik
Weston FL
-------------------------------------------

I applaud your concern.  I think that I have agreed to every change wanted when people contact my publisher at Drama Source.  However, I had a problem with a play at another publisher and the director changing one character and half the play without asking.  Since I have a reputation as a family playwright, I was a little embarrassed.   Well, more than a little, because I had used a family member's name as the character.  I was at Beverly Hills Film Festival this past weekend and you would be surprised how many writers said they used family names for characters.  So please everybody, contact the publisher.

-------------------------------------------
Vicki Bartholomew
Playwright
Sherwood OR
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2014 08:30
From: Amy Learn
Subject: Changing the book and copyright issues

My school and community are not open to language being used on stage.  The contracts we sign to license a show specifically say you will not change any part of the show without written permission from the publisher - which would include editing language.  I have written on several occasions to ask for permission to change a word or two on well known shows and am always denied.  Because my district says no language and the publisher says no changes it has become increasingly difficult to find plays to produce.

It seems there are many posts on this site about teachers who are changing lyrics or lines. Are you getting permission somehow that I am not aware of?  Am I writing to the wrong people?  Or..... well, I would hate to think we are not honoring our fellow artists and breaking the very laws that protect their artistic work. 

Thoughts....?

-------------------------------------------
Amy Learn
Ballwin MO
-------------------------------------------

Hey everyone, I know this thread has been dormant for a while, but since my last post 2 years ago, I've published two of my one-acts. I worked with another local Drama teacher, guest speaking with his cast to answer any questions they're had and to help clarify certain scenes that I didn't realize needed clarifying. 

Both one-acts were state-selected, receiving Superiors at both the junior Thespian/middle school level and the Thespian/high school levels. That doesnt mean they were so wonderful and perfect right out of the gate. There were workshops, q&a sessions, and all sorts of re-writes, minor and major, to get to this point. 

If a director requests changes, however minor, I would look at it on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all variables. It's not an automatic no or yes, I would just need to know why the changes are being requested. 

If you're interested:

An Act of Theatre https://www.amazon.com/dp/1532003358/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_OhV3xbPZWQECY

------------------------------
Daniel Slowik
Falcon Cove Middle School
Chair, Fine Arts Department
Director, Jr. Thespian Troupe 88554
Weston, FL
www.twitter.com/dannyslowik
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01LWJETZX

Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2014 08:30
From: Amy Learn
Subject: Changing the book and copyright issues

My school and community are not open to language being used on stage.  The contracts we sign to license a show specifically say you will not change any part of the show without written permission from the publisher - which would include editing language.  I have written on several occasions to ask for permission to change a word or two on well known shows and am always denied.  Because my district says no language and the publisher says no changes it has become increasingly difficult to find plays to produce.

It seems there are many posts on this site about teachers who are changing lyrics or lines. Are you getting permission somehow that I am not aware of?  Am I writing to the wrong people?  Or..... well, I would hate to think we are not honoring our fellow artists and breaking the very laws that protect their artistic work. 

Thoughts....?

-------------------------------------------
Amy Learn
Ballwin MO
-------------------------------------------