To help you navigate new uses of your work, we offer you a model Livestream Addendum agreement to revise your prior agreements to include such “digital rights".
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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Live Stream Addendum
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Live Stream Digital Rights Agreement
This is intended to be a model contract that will enable you to grant a non-profit producer the exclusive right to present live streamed productions. -
Model Billing Provision for Opera
The Dramatists Guild has observed that opera companies in the 21st century have been trying to grow their audiences and develop their art form beyond the presentation of revivals of the established canon of works.
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Premiere Production - National
This agreement is not intended to be used at the LORT, Off-Broadway or Broadway levels. -
Premiere Production Contract - NY/LA
This agreement is not intended to be used at the LORT, Off-Broadway or Broadway levels. -
Translator Agreement
This form agreement is meant to provide an outline of the basic terms commonly found in agreements where a commissioning party (be it a playwright or a producer) wishes to have a work translated into another language.