Running Your Theater: added music royalty questions

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added music royalty questions

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Theater Administration
Forum Name: Running Your Theater
Forum Discription: General questions about how to make it work
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2358
Printed Date: 10/31/25 at 12:16am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: added music royalty questions

Posted By: moondance
Subject: added music royalty questions
Date Posted: 4/18/07 at 4:18pm

I want to do a straight play, say Charlottes Web, but want to add some songs for the children's choir to sing so the 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders can participate.

Is it necessary to request permission via ASCAP or some other organization? The songs could be from other musicals, pop, country, etc.

Thanks!

Replies:

Posted By: Theatrestation
Date Posted: 4/18/07 at 4:38pm

Depending on the rights of the play you are doing it may not be legal (from the rights holder for the play's standpoint) to add numbers within the context of the show. In many cases that would be considered an alteration of the show and be forbidden by law.

Now if you do it outside the context of the show say as a preshow or after the show ASCAP should be enough. If this is with a school district check with them, they should have any needed ASCAP connections in place.

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Posted By: Stageman
Date Posted: 5/23/07 at 12:10pm

Of course you would probably be legally bound to pay royalties for whichever songs you are using too!!

Posted By: Shatcher
Date Posted: 5/23/07 at 2:52pm

Most schools districts around here have a deal with ASCAP that covers the school music departments. check with you district