Open Forum

Hello all,

I am going through Samuel French for licensing my fall play this year and was a little shocked when I went to finalize licensing and noticed the price. It is basically twice what I am used to paying. Is this the experience of everyone else? Is there a reason their pricing is so high? I am still a newbie of sorts and learning the ropes all around. I am going to have to adjust my budget next year or not order from them if this is typical.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

------------------------------
Sarah Aanderud Wahlen
Director of Theatre & Film
Holy Names Academy
Seattle, WA
------------------------------

The costs for the licensing really depend on both the type of show (musical, straight, one act ,etc), the number of shows and the title recognition. There are other considerations that the companies ask for (auditorium size, ticket pricing, etc) as well. 
I've used several different companies and, although Sam French is expensive, I haven't noticed it being overly so. They do have a large library of options that some of the smaller companies do not offer, so that may have something to do with the costs as well.

------------------------------
Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2017 14:18
From: Sarah Wahlen
Subject: Samuel French Costs

Hello all,

I am going through Samuel French for licensing my fall play this year and was a little shocked when I went to finalize licensing and noticed the price. It is basically twice what I am used to paying. Is this the experience of everyone else? Is there a reason their pricing is so high? I am still a newbie of sorts and learning the ropes all around. I am going to have to adjust my budget next year or not order from them if this is typical.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

------------------------------
Sarah Aanderud Wahlen
Director of Theatre & Film
Holy Names Academy
Seattle, WA
------------------------------

Our fees are set per our contracts with our authors, so they can receive payment for their art. These fees are determined using your ticket prices, venue size, number of performances, and other title-specific factors. However, we understand that you may not fill your venue to the maximum seating capacity. We're always happy to work with teachers and teaching artists to see if they qualify for a lower rate. Please feel free to send an email to K12@samuelfrench.com with the specifics about your situation and your license request number.

------------------------------
Rosemary Bucher
Licensing Representative, Educational Theatre
Samuel French
New York NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2017 15:18
From: Shira Schwartz
Subject: Samuel French Costs

The costs for the licensing really depend on both the type of show (musical, straight, one act ,etc), the number of shows and the title recognition. There are other considerations that the companies ask for (auditorium size, ticket pricing, etc) as well.
I've used several different companies and, although Sam French is expensive, I haven't noticed it being overly so. They do have a large library of options that some of the smaller companies do not offer, so that may have something to do with the costs as well.

------------------------------
Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ

Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2017 14:18
From: Sarah Wahlen
Subject: Samuel French Costs

Hello all,

I am going through Samuel French for licensing my fall play this year and was a little shocked when I went to finalize licensing and noticed the price. It is basically twice what I am used to paying. Is this the experience of everyone else? Is there a reason their pricing is so high? I am still a newbie of sorts and learning the ropes all around. I am going to have to adjust my budget next year or not order from them if this is typical.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

------------------------------
Sarah Aanderud Wahlen
Director of Theatre & Film
Holy Names Academy
Seattle, WA
------------------------------

I have dealt with Samuel French for many years and find them to be very open to working with you.  Every situation is different, but I've found them to be very helpful whenever I've contacted them.

------------------------------
David Kramer
Mt Sinai NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2017 15:50
From: Rosemary Bucher
Subject: Samuel French Costs

Our fees are set per our contracts with our authors, so they can receive payment for their art. These fees are determined using your ticket prices, venue size, number of performances, and other title-specific factors. However, we understand that you may not fill your venue to the maximum seating capacity. We're always happy to work with teachers and teaching artists to see if they qualify for a lower rate. Please feel free to send an email to K12@samuelfrench.com with the specifics about your situation and your license request number.

------------------------------
Rosemary Bucher
Licensing Representative, Educational Theatre
Samuel French
New York NY

Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2017 15:18
From: Shira Schwartz
Subject: Samuel French Costs

The costs for the licensing really depend on both the type of show (musical, straight, one act ,etc), the number of shows and the title recognition. There are other considerations that the companies ask for (auditorium size, ticket pricing, etc) as well.
I've used several different companies and, although Sam French is expensive, I haven't noticed it being overly so. They do have a large library of options that some of the smaller companies do not offer, so that may have something to do with the costs as well.

------------------------------
Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ

Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2017 14:18
From: Sarah Wahlen
Subject: Samuel French Costs

Hello all,

I am going through Samuel French for licensing my fall play this year and was a little shocked when I went to finalize licensing and noticed the price. It is basically twice what I am used to paying. Is this the experience of everyone else? Is there a reason their pricing is so high? I am still a newbie of sorts and learning the ropes all around. I am going to have to adjust my budget next year or not order from them if this is typical.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

------------------------------
Sarah Aanderud Wahlen
Director of Theatre & Film
Holy Names Academy
Seattle, WA
------------------------------

Original Message------

Hello all,

I am going through Samuel French for licensing my fall play this year and was a little shocked when I went to finalize licensing and noticed the price. It is basically twice what I am used to paying. Is this the experience of everyone else? Is there a reason their pricing is so high? I am still a newbie of sorts and learning the ropes all around. I am going to have to adjust my budget next year or not order from them if this is typical.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

------------------------------
Sarah Aanderud Wahlen
Director of Theatre & Film
Holy Names Academy
Seattle, WA
------------------------------

Yes! Samuel French has gotten out of hand. I am paying double the normal fees for Noises Off this year. Dramatists doesn't overcharge schools that way, but if you want a title, I guess you pay what you have to.


------------------------------
Jeff Sams
Theatre Director
Franklin High School
Franklin, Ohio
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2017 14:18
From: Sarah Wahlen
Subject: Samuel French Costs

Hello all,

I am going through Samuel French for licensing my fall play this year and was a little shocked when I went to finalize licensing and noticed the price. It is basically twice what I am used to paying. Is this the experience of everyone else? Is there a reason their pricing is so high? I am still a newbie of sorts and learning the ropes all around. I am going to have to adjust my budget next year or not order from them if this is typical.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

------------------------------
Sarah Aanderud Wahlen
Director of Theatre & Film
Holy Names Academy
Seattle, WA
------------------------------

Samuel French is ridiculously over priced compared to other licensing houses.  I am looking at doing a musical from them and it is more than double other well known shows with others.  It seems that EdTA could negotiate better pricing since Samuel French is one of the major corporate sponsors for events.

------------------------------
[Chris] [Veneris]
Theatre Educator/NC Chapter Director]
Guilford County Schools
[Greensboro] [NC]
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2017 14:18
From: Sarah Wahlen
Subject: Samuel French Costs

Hello all,

I am going through Samuel French for licensing my fall play this year and was a little shocked when I went to finalize licensing and noticed the price. It is basically twice what I am used to paying. Is this the experience of everyone else? Is there a reason their pricing is so high? I am still a newbie of sorts and learning the ropes all around. I am going to have to adjust my budget next year or not order from them if this is typical.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

------------------------------
Sarah Aanderud Wahlen
Director of Theatre & Film
Holy Names Academy
Seattle, WA
------------------------------

Samuel French reached out to me to let me know there is a process in which you can discuss a rate appeal with them.  I have submitted the rate appeal for our spring musical and will let all know what happens.  Glad to see that we can get responses by using the forum.

------------------------------
[Chris] [Veneris]
Theatre Educator/NC Chapter Director]
Guilford County Schools
[Greensboro] [NC]
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2017 13:25
From: Christopher Veneris
Subject: Samuel French Costs

Samuel French is ridiculously over priced compared to other licensing houses.  I am looking at doing a musical from them and it is more than double other well known shows with others.  It seems that EdTA could negotiate better pricing since Samuel French is one of the major corporate sponsors for events.

------------------------------
[Chris] [Veneris]
Theatre Educator/NC Chapter Director]
Guilford County Schools
[Greensboro] [NC]

Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2017 14:18
From: Sarah Wahlen
Subject: Samuel French Costs

Hello all,

I am going through Samuel French for licensing my fall play this year and was a little shocked when I went to finalize licensing and noticed the price. It is basically twice what I am used to paying. Is this the experience of everyone else? Is there a reason their pricing is so high? I am still a newbie of sorts and learning the ropes all around. I am going to have to adjust my budget next year or not order from them if this is typical.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

------------------------------
Sarah Aanderud Wahlen
Director of Theatre & Film
Holy Names Academy
Seattle, WA
------------------------------

​I still take issue that plays that should be in public domain are still licensed at their high fee. I have no problem paying the artists for their work, but when said author has been dead for almost 100 years, it is too high.

------------------------------
Ellen Di Filippo
Tracy CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2017 14:18
From: Sarah Wahlen
Subject: Samuel French Costs

Hello all,

I am going through Samuel French for licensing my fall play this year and was a little shocked when I went to finalize licensing and noticed the price. It is basically twice what I am used to paying. Is this the experience of everyone else? Is there a reason their pricing is so high? I am still a newbie of sorts and learning the ropes all around. I am going to have to adjust my budget next year or not order from them if this is typical.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

------------------------------
Sarah Aanderud Wahlen
Director of Theatre & Film
Holy Names Academy
Seattle, WA
------------------------------

Hope when yo all are looking up the high priced Sam French titles, you don't skip over mine... :)

 Check out their Breaking Character online mag too.   Some good articles.    Also check out their from the vault section and you might find some familiar authors featured.   Ahem...

------------------------------
Leon Kaye
Playwright for the Ages
Lhk@koa1.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2017 20:21
From: Ellen Di Filippo
Subject: Samuel French Costs

​I still take issue that plays that should be in public domain are still licensed at their high fee. I have no problem paying the artists for their work, but when said author has been dead for almost 100 years, it is too high.

------------------------------
Ellen Di Filippo
Tracy CA

Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2017 14:18
From: Sarah Wahlen
Subject: Samuel French Costs

Hello all,

I am going through Samuel French for licensing my fall play this year and was a little shocked when I went to finalize licensing and noticed the price. It is basically twice what I am used to paying. Is this the experience of everyone else? Is there a reason their pricing is so high? I am still a newbie of sorts and learning the ropes all around. I am going to have to adjust my budget next year or not order from them if this is typical.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

------------------------------
Sarah Aanderud Wahlen
Director of Theatre & Film
Holy Names Academy
Seattle, WA
------------------------------

After dealing with Disney and MTI, I found Sam French to be incredibly reasonable!  It's good to know they are open to discussion about accommodations for smaller theaters.   

Plays Magazine is a good resource - All plays rights are included with a subscription.

Theatrefolk and Pioneer Drama are great resources for less expensive shows too.

------------------------------
Stephanie Vitulli
Middle School Theater Director
Highlands Ranch CO
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2017 14:18
From: Sarah Wahlen
Subject: Samuel French Costs

Hello all,

I am going through Samuel French for licensing my fall play this year and was a little shocked when I went to finalize licensing and noticed the price. It is basically twice what I am used to paying. Is this the experience of everyone else? Is there a reason their pricing is so high? I am still a newbie of sorts and learning the ropes all around. I am going to have to adjust my budget next year or not order from them if this is typical.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

------------------------------
Sarah Aanderud Wahlen
Director of Theatre & Film
Holy Names Academy
Seattle, WA
------------------------------