FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ArtReach is Your Best Source for Downloadable Children's Plays
INSTANT DOWNLOAD available for all SCHOOL PLAY PACKAGES

HELPFUL INFO AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...
ORDERS
Safe to use credit card? * Return/Refund policy? * Purchase orders?
DOWNLOADS: How do I download my play?

ALL PLAYS - GENERAL
Free perusal or sample? * Pay royalty? * Buy scripts?
Additional performances?

SCHOOL PLAYS
Musicals? CDs? * Familiar storyline? * School Play Package?
Teachers Guide? * Change the play? * Make a video?

TOURING & MEDIUM CAST PLAYS
Touring Plays? * Medium Cast Plays? * Musicals?
Royalty discount for tours?


 ORDERS

Q: Is it safe to use my credit card?

A: Yes.  Our online Shopping Cart is totally safe and secure (look for "https://" in the address line and the certification logo, below, on the credit card payment page). Your credit card and customer information will never be shared with, sold to, or provided to anyone. If you prefer, you can call us at 941-753-3222 and place your order with a real live person! [ Privacy Policy ]


Q: What is your return / refund policy?

A: We strive for 100% customer satisfaction and will promptly replace any damaged, incorrect, incomplete or otherwise unusable item(s) free of charge.

All sales of scripts, guides and soundtracks are non-returnable, non-refundable. We provide free samples on our website and we are available (phone or email) to answer questions before placing orders. Full production scripts may be purchased on a perusal basis for only $9.95 before ordering a production package.

NOTE: We are usually willing to exchange a production package for another, more suitable play title if the need arises. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your particular situation.

Royalties for cancelled performances will be refunded only if we are notified at least 15 days prior to the planned performances. Royalties will not be refunded for cancellations due to low turnout, low sales, technical issues or other unforseen circumstances.

Shipping & handling charges are non-refundable. Customers are encouraged to purchase the downloadable versions of our products to avoid shipping charges.


Q: Can I use a Purchase Order?

A: We accept Purchase Orders from qualified U.S. schools and organizations. The fastest way to pay through Purchase Order is to fax it.  Print the MAIL/FAX ORDER FORM and fax it with a copy of your Purchase Order to 941-827-2451 or 941-753-5407.   Make sure to specify if you want it sent Downloadable (to your email address) or if you want it shipped.  We'll send the script ASAP!  (CD Soundtracks must be shipped.)


ALL PLAYS - GENERAL

Q: Can I get a free perusal copy or sample of the script?

A: We are not able to provide free scripts.   Perusal scripts are just $9.95 and can be Downloaded instantly with our secure online Shopping Cart. If you decide to perform the play and purchase a Performance License, you may use that script as your master - no need to buy another.  Note:  All School Plays have a link at the bottom of the page that takes you to a sample of the play you are interested in.


Q: Do I have to pay a royalty even if the audience doesn't pay to see the show?

A: Yes.  A royalty is due every time the play is performed before an audience even if it is for a school or church group, an assembly program or a dress rehearsal.  Almost all our School Play customers are nonprofit schools, churches and community groups and all are required to pay a royalty by purchasing a Performance License which grants rights to perform the play one time and make as many copies of the script as you need for your cast and crew. Two or more performances require payment of the Additional Performance Royalty for each performance after the first.


Q: How many scripts do I have to buy?

A: Unlike most publishers, we do not require that you buy every script from us.  Buying a Performance License or School Play Package (which includes the License) allows you to make as many copies of the script as you need for your cast. For large cast shows with up to 35-40 roles this is quite a cost savings!  It also saves you time since you can make your copies immediately after purchasing the Performance License and begin rehearsing your play right away.

Q: Does the Performance License requirement and "copying policy" apply to all ArtReach (Children's Theatre) Plays?

A: Yes.  The Performance License applies to all of our plays: small cast (touring), medium cast, large cast School Plays.


Q: What if I want to do more than one performance?

A: The Performance License royalty for your first show is $60.00 (includes rights to copy script). Every additional performance is $45.00 (Additional Performance Royalty).


SCHOOL PLAYS

Q: Are your plays musicals?  What is on the CD?

A:  Click here to see which plays are musicals: "Musical Plays".   CD Soundtracks/ Audio Files contain backtracks: simple music to accompany the performers as they sing to familiar melodies.  Lyrics and sheet music is provided in the Teachers Guide which is part of the School Play Package.

The School Plays are simplified versions of famous stories, written to make it easy for young people to perform. All School Plays come with a CD Soundtrack of cues, background music (traditional-classical) and sound effects (such as scary sounds for the crocodile and flying sounds for Peter Pan) which can greatly enhance your performance. 

Some teachers choose familiar songs, obtain sheet music and insert these songs into the play.  We recognize that each school has a wide variety of educational needs to fulfill and we invite you to be creative in your use of our scripts; including changes or additions that are appropriate for your students. As author/publisher of our own creative works, we do ask that you obtain proper copyright permission for any additions you might make - that responsibility is up to you.

Music & Sound Resources Available on the Internet
( Sheet Music, Song Books, CDs, DVDs, Sing-along, Karaoke, Sound Effects )


Q: Does the play follow the story line my children are familiar with?

A: Yes.  Our plays are not camp, pantomimes or fractured fairy tales.  There are no adult innuendoes or jokes that the children do not understand.  Many writers feel they need to include adult oriented material in their plays in order to keep the adults entertained.  We know from years of experience that adults love any well told story with compelling and believable characters.  It's always best when the kids and the grownups laugh together!  Plays like Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan closely follow the story as it was originally written by their authors, Frank L. Baum and J. M. Barrie.


Q: Do I have to buy the School Play Package before I read the script?

A: No.  Most teachers know ArtReach (Children's Theatre) Play.com's reputation and prefer to pay for the School Play Package and get going on the production right away -  plus save money (cost of the Package is much less than purchasing all items separately)! But if you'd like to read the script first, you may order the Perusal Script and purchase a Performance License later.

Q: What does the School Play Package include?

A: The School Play Package includes everything:
Master script, Teachers Guide, CD Soundtrack and Performance License (rights to perform the play one time and make as many copies of the script as you need for your cast). A $109.85 value for $99.95!


Q: What is in the Teachers Guide?

A: The Teachers Guide provides study materials to use in the classroom and extra pointers on how to direct and stage the play.  Teachers Guides vary according to subject matter, but each Guide is comprehensive and typically includes:  1) Story Outline; 2) Author Info and Other Stories & Poems; 3) Glossary; 4) Fun Facts & Pictures; 5) Creative Dramatics; 6) Classroom Activities; 7) Internet Resources; 8) Performance Guide; 9) Staging Notes Including Open Staging Suggestions and How to Use Percussion Instruments; 10) Casting Notes; 11) Costume Suggestions; 12) Scenery Suggestions; 13) Audience Participation; 14) Rehearsal Notes.


Q: May I cut, edit or change the play?

A: Yes. We realize that every school or community group has its own unique set of requirements. As long as you pay the royalty for use of the script you may make changes to it.  By the same token, if you have very little experience you might want to stick close to the book because we've worked very hard to give you all the pointers you need for a fabulous show.


Q: May we make a video/DVD of the performance?

A: Yes.  As long as the video is made for nonprofit purposes it is quite all right to make a video/DVD and distribute it to family and friends.  We have no objections if the local cable station wants to put it on TV.  Pass the popcorn and enjoy!


TOURING & MEDIUM CAST PLAYS

Q: What are Touring Plays?

A: The touring plays were originally developed and toured by the professional ArtReach Touring Theatre.  They have been performed literally hundreds of times by ArtReach and many other professional groups.  All are written for a small cast of adults (2, 3 or 4 actors) with most actors playing several parts.  They last about 45 to 50 minutes - the ideal length for school assembly programs, allowing the actors to set up and perform in less than an hour or classroom period.  All can be performed with limited set, props and costumes with everything fitting into one van or truck.   Most of the touring plays have a soundtrack CD with music and sound effects that can be run by the actors during the performance.  Most also have audience participation and are well selected for curriculum tie-ins to history and literature themes.


Q: What are the Medium Cast Plays?

A: Most of the Medium Cast Plays are Touring Plays that have been enlarged by distributing  parts that were doubled in the original touring script.  These medium cast versions require a cast of around 10 or more and are ideal for Middle Schools, High Schools and Mainstage productions. They have often been used as one-act entries in showcases and thespian contests. 


Q: Are the touring/small cast plays musicals?

A: I Think I Can and I'm a Celebrity! are Children's Musical Plays and the scripts contain sheet music for several songs.  The Little Mermaid is a School Play Musical with CD Backing Track and Sheet Music in the Teacher's Guide.  All the Christmas Plays are musicals and contain a CD or sheet music.   The touring plays are not traditional musicals.  Our focus has always been on presenting a tightly-packed, well-plotted play that captures the young audience's attention with an uninterrupted flow of action.  Some teachers/producers write songs or obtain sheet music for familiar songs and insert them into the play which is quite all right with us. We recognize that each school or theatre has a wide variety of needs to fulfill and we invite you to be creative in your use of our scripts.  As writers/publishers we do ask that you be careful to obtain proper copyright permission for any additions you might make - that responsibility is up to you.

Music & Sound Resources Available on the Internet
( Sheet Music, Song Books, CDs, DVDs, Sing-along, Karaoke, Sound Effects )


Q: Are there discounts for touring companies that wish to tour to schools and perform the play many times?

A: Yes! We heartily invite touring companies to apply for royalty reductions. These plays were originally developed for touring to schools and we are very much aware of a touring company's budget concerns. If you represent such a company, please let us know up front so that we can consider your special needs from the beginning of the perusal process.


Download your School Play Package and start rehearsals today!

SECURE ONLINE ORDERS
Click for How to Order page.
HOW TO ORDER
Phone: 941-753-3222
Schools: Fax your Purchase Order!
Fax: 941-827-2451 / 941-753-5407
[Fax & Mail Order Form]

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