If you're looking at published shows, it's the publisher who most often sets the royalty--so not much blame to the playwright there.

If on the other hand you're scouring playwright web sites looking for unpublished work, don't hesitate to drop the playwright an e-mail asking about royalties. I can only speak for myself but while I do typically expect to be compensated if someone chooses to perform one of my shows, I have often waived royalties for schools for 10-minute shows.

On the other hand, I know a few 'wrights who make pretty good money on the side from the school-play market.

And--if I may be so bold--some of us "not-exactly-well-known playwrights produce some pretty fine work.

Remember: every playwright you know was unknown at one point! :-)

peace & power,
john

Originally posted by Shanahan .And--if I may be so bold--some of us "not-exactly-well-known playwrights produce some pretty fine work.Remember: every playwright you know was unknown at one point!

John, I wasn't criticizing playwrights for the cost of royalties; I realize they don't usually set them and are only getting part of the money anyway. If people are getting 35 dollars a pop from high schools for ten minute plays, more power to them I guess. It's just way too much for me to do a night of ten minute plays at that price.   Regarding your comment above, this is another issue that's been discussed here. Of course there is some fine work from lesser known playwrights and our group has done a lot of lesser known contemporary material. The problem is getting an audience to come watch these shows which in the final analysis is a financial problem. It often has little to do with the quality of the show.

Hello Folks~