This model agreement should be used when a group of individuals (alternatively, “creators”) begins a collaborative process without first knowing who the authors will be.
Unsigned Contracts Reviews for DG Members
The Guild's Department of Business Affairs is committed to educating writers about business and legal standards in the theater industry. The staff lawyers in Business Affairs can review unsigned contracts and advise on a wide range of matters including options, commissions, royalties, copyright, collaboration, trademark, rights of privacy, rights of publicity, defamation, so-called “life-story rights,” and agents. They can also provide guidance, and follow up on complaints regarding theatres, producers, publishers, agents, attorneys, festivals, and contests.
The Dramatists Guild aims to give each individual member the tools necessary for successfully managing the business of being an author. As such, the lawyers in Business Affairs will not contact any non-members on an individual member’s behalf, nor will the lawyers analyze a contract that has already been signed or draft language for any member’s agreement.
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Model Contracts for Theatre Writers
Because the Guild tracks national and worldwide trends, we are able to provide certain model contracts that reflect up-to-date industry standards. We encourage our members to use these models to educate themselves and use as a guide when entering into productions or collaborations.
Most of our contracts are available to download as PDF files. The first-class Approved Production Contract for Plays and Approved Production Contract for Musicals (APC) must be purchased and are available in a printed booklet. Please note that members must pay additional dues (i.e., “assessments”) based on the members’ royalties earned from productions presented under the APC. For more about assessments, please visit the Broadway information page. Only current members of the Guild may view, download, or request sample contracts. Explore our full suite of resources. Download a Dramatists Guild model contract, guide or best practice today.
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Devised Theatre Contract: Preliminary Agreement to Participate
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Devised Theatre Contract: Production Agreement
This agreement can be used when it comes time to present the devised work before a live audience. -
Devised Theatre Resource Manual
What happens when the collaboration expands beyond our traditional definitions? -
DG Guide for Dramatists: The Art of Negotiating Theatre Contracts
We know it can feel daunting to negotiate with a producer, theatre, school, college, or university that wants to produce your play or musical.
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DG Inclusion Rider
Free download for members and non-members. The first of its kind in the theatre industry, the Dramatists Guild Inclusion Rider is intended to be a model addendum that will enable you to ask
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Find a Collaborator
Theatre is undoubtedly a team sport. We're here to help you find great teammates. Whether it's someone with a different skill set - i.e., a librettist to your composer, a lyricist to your playwright - or maybe someone with a similar background, our service exists to help build lifelong creative partnerships. -
Form of Commission Agreement for Plays and Musicals
Agreement between a commissioning producer and author(s) to write and revise a play or musical. -
Form of Licensing Agreement
A basic license, it grants the rights for a producer to produce a production without granting the subsidiary rights or future options. -
Form of Underlying Rights for Musicals
Form of an option agreement used for an author to obtain the basic right to adapt a work as a musical from an existing work in which a second author holds copyright. -
Form of Underlying Rights for Plays
Form of an option agreement used for an author to obtain the basic right to adapt a work as a play from an existing work in which a second author holds copyright.