In the world of high school theatre, licensing is a fundamental and non-negotiable pillar. For any public presentation of a copyrighted play or musical, even if it is free admission or a charity fundraiser, a school must secure the rights to the show.
These rights are usually obtained through major publishers, and if you are a head of the production, it is your responsibility to make sure everything is being taken care of.
To make things a bit easier, we have prepared a few important pieces of information you should know about licensing, licensing houses, and how it all relates to our rentable backdrops.
How Licensing Works
When it comes to high school theatre, before you even start preparing the stage, you need to make sure that you have the rights to perform the show on the stage, in front of an audience. In other words, you have to have a license that allows you to use the content of a play or a musical.
This license can and should be obtained through major publishers like Music Theatre International (MTI) or Concord Theatricals. In most cases, you can apply for it online, then pay royalties, which often have a flat rate for schools, and sign a contract for “Grand Rights”, which gives you permission for stage production, but not video recording. Video recording requires a separate permission.
So, before you start preparing the production, select the show, apply for licensing with the publisher’s website, provide them with the performance details they require, and get an official “booking” or licensing confirmation after payment. The licensing house will be in full control of what is available. After you pay and get the scripts, you will be able to choose the scenery and backdrops you want to use. The licensing agency will determine where you need to advertise the license.
Availability
Shows might not be available for licensing at all times. Availability of the particular show mostly depends on what is popular at the moment.
Some shows are usuallystaged during a specific time of the year, like the Christmas Carol and the Nutcracker, which are often performed during winter, so keep this in mind and try to get the license earlier if possible.
Declined License
There are some instances where your license may not be approved. If this happens, please reach out to the licensing house to determine the issue and try to resolve it.
Main Licensing Houses
There are several main licensing houses that provide the license to produce a specific play or musical.
The first one is MTI (Music Theatre International). They are the largest and offer a wide variety of shows, including Disney Jr. musicals.
The second one is Concord Theatricals. They typically offer older musicals like Rogers and Hammerstein classics. Also, Andrew Lloyd Webber shows such as Les Misérables, Phantom, Cats, etc.
And the third one is Disney Theatrical, which covers all of Disney’s stage musicals.
Important Notice for All Customers
Please keep in mind that licensing is done strictly by the client. It is your responsibility to obtain a license before renting any of our inventory.
Choose the show you want to do, go to the proper agency that carries the license for that show, and apply to have the rights to perform it. Then come back and browse through our collections of backdrops that will help you bring the show to life.
If you need any help with selection or you have questions about specific products, please do not hesitate to contact us.
