Open Forum

I seem to recall that Simon himself didn't allow cuttings from his plays to be performed, and that that stricture remains in place after his death - unless whoever controls the rights to his plays ever changes his/her/their mind(s).  Someone please correct me if I'm wrong about this.

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Jeff Grove
Theatre Teacher, Aesthetics Department Chair
Stanton College Prep
FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2022 12:14
From: Justin Garton
Subject: Neil Simon stuff not accepted?

Hey everyone,

I was looking on the "Approved Publishers" list on the Thespys website and I noticed the "red-light" list from Concord theatricals. I just wanted make sure I read that right and verify the following:

Scenes from Neil Simon plays such as Sunshine Boys or Barefoot in the Park are not allowed to be performed at Thespys? Seems like some pretty classic stuff there, any reason in particular? (not that that matters, just curious). 

Thank you!

Justin Garton, Gravette High School 

My recollection is in line with Jeff's.

Thespy performers are always responsible for securing performance rights. [Educational exemption only applies "in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction" (17 U.S.C. §110(1))].  That being said, many artists / rights-holders - through their publishers - recognize the educational benefit of Thespys and similar adjudication and have granted blanket/conditional permission for such performances.  In such cases, the right to perform the piece may be assumed and there is no further leg-work for the performer.

The Approved Publishers section of the Thespys website is an attempt to summarize the current advice of most major publishers in one place (which is fabulous - THANK YOU EdTA!).  It is not a judgement of what work is permissible for Thespys, but rather a summary of what work has been, or is likely to be, granted performance rights.

You can always contact Concord (or any publisher), directly, and request permission. You will probably get a polite email response explaining why that is not possible at this time etc. But it can't hurt to ask. Believe it or not, publishers want to be able to say "yes" - they want to work with you - but they must honor the wishes of the playwright / rights-holder and whatever contracts their company has with them. However, those things do change over time and it never hurts to reach out and make connections with the people who navigate those complexities for a living. :)

Best wishes to you and your students. Break a leg!

------------------------------
Guy Barbato
Theatre Teacher/Director
Leonardtown High School
MD
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2022 12:14
From: Justin Garton
Subject: Neil Simon stuff not accepted?

Hey everyone,

I was looking on the "Approved Publishers" list on the Thespys website and I noticed the "red-light" list from Concord theatricals. I just wanted make sure I read that right and verify the following:

Scenes from Neil Simon plays such as Sunshine Boys or Barefoot in the Park are not allowed to be performed at Thespys? Seems like some pretty classic stuff there, any reason in particular? (not that that matters, just curious). 

Thank you!

Justin Garton, Gravette High School 

Sometime in the 80's Neil Simon's lawyers sent a letter to all speech and drama teachers stating that his material was NOT to be used in any way for any competition.  Around the same time, I was doing an evening of one acts, and even though I was willing to pay $50 for one act of Plaza Suite, I received a letter from his lawyer informing me that Neil Simon did not allow his works to be performed with the works of any other playwright.  He had quite the ego and was not a supporter of educational theatre.

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Marilynn [Zeljeznjak
Retired
Past CA State Thespian Director
Blacksburg VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-03-2022 07:59
From: Guy Barbato
Subject: Neil Simon stuff not accepted?

My recollection is in line with Jeff's.

Thespy performers are always responsible for securing performance rights. [Educational exemption only applies "in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction" (17 U.S.C. §110(1))].  That being said, many artists / rights-holders - through their publishers - recognize the educational benefit of Thespys and similar adjudication and have granted blanket/conditional permission for such performances.  In such cases, the right to perform the piece may be assumed and there is no further leg-work for the performer.

The Approved Publishers section of the Thespys website is an attempt to summarize the current advice of most major publishers in one place (which is fabulous - THANK YOU EdTA!).  It is not a judgement of what work is permissible for Thespys, but rather a summary of what work has been, or is likely to be, granted performance rights.

You can always contact Concord (or any publisher), directly, and request permission. You will probably get a polite email response explaining why that is not possible at this time etc. But it can't hurt to ask. Believe it or not, publishers want to be able to say "yes" - they want to work with you - but they must honor the wishes of the playwright / rights-holder and whatever contracts their company has with them. However, those things do change over time and it never hurts to reach out and make connections with the people who navigate those complexities for a living. :)

Best wishes to you and your students. Break a leg!

------------------------------
Guy Barbato
Theatre Teacher/Director
Leonardtown High School
MD

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2022 12:14
From: Justin Garton
Subject: Neil Simon stuff not accepted?

Hey everyone,

I was looking on the "Approved Publishers" list on the Thespys website and I noticed the "red-light" list from Concord theatricals. I just wanted make sure I read that right and verify the following:

Scenes from Neil Simon plays such as Sunshine Boys or Barefoot in the Park are not allowed to be performed at Thespys? Seems like some pretty classic stuff there, any reason in particular? (not that that matters, just curious). 

Thank you!

Justin Garton, Gravette High School