All of the plays published by Ristau Entertainment are protected under Federal Copyright Law. Even though the copyright is retained by the authors we represent, any unauthorized performances of these plays constitutes an infringement of the copyright and a violation of Federal Law. We take very seriously our responsibility to our playwrights and will take all necessary steps to see that their work is used legally. Our writers as well as our theatre contacts, agents, and customers form a network around the world, and we will follow up on any reported illegal use of their work. Infringement on a legally held copyright carries the possibility of serious consequences for the infringer—including statutory damages as high as $150,000 as set forth in Section 504(c)(2) of US copyright law.

No play in our catalogue may be produced unless we receive a written application and written authorization is obtained from Ristau Entertainment, Ltd. The listing of royalty terms on this website should not be construed to be an indication of release for production.

When applying performance rights please send an e-mail with the initial inquiry to RistEntLtd@aol.com. You will be given a customer number, and asked to send by mail (or fax) a written request containing the following information:

• Customer Number
• The title and author of the play, along with catalogue number of script
• Proposed production dates and number of performances
• Possibility of extension of run?
• Will this production tour or be revived at a later date? (Contest, ACTF, etc)
• Mailing address and telephone number of contact person at the theatre
• Official position of contact person
• Name and location of the theatre
• Seating capacity of the theatre
• Ticket prices (all the same, different for different nights, ages, etc.)
• Theatre status (community theatre, academic, showcase, amatuer, professional, etc.)
• Actor Equity/non-Equity
• Actor's salary per week (if any)
• Signature of applicant

When permission to perform a work is extended, the producing organization must purchase a minimum number of scripts equal to cast size plus another copy for the director. Permission to copy our scripts is not extended to the producing organization or any other party. For script purchase information, click here.

Due to the volume of requests being processed, please contact us well in advance of your planned production dates. We require a minimum of 10 business days to process a request, and it may take longer to fill the script order. We strongly recommend you allow at least three to four months for this purpose. It is always regrettable when a theatre makes plans to produce a play before making certain they have obtained the rights.

The license fee is due at least two weeks prior to the first performance, is non-refundable for any reason, and must cover the entire agreed upon run of the production. Final authorization for production is granted only upon payment in full of the license fee. If permission is requested for an extended run of a production or tour, payment for the extended period must likewise be received before permission for that extension is considered granted. If this condition is not met, any performances conducted without prior payment will be considered an infringement on the author's copyright, and appropriate action will be taken.

Authorization, when granted, is subject to the following conditions:
(A) the title of the play may not be altered;
(B) there may be no deletions, alterations or changes of any kind made to the text;
(C) proper authorship and other credits required must be given in all programs and advertisements; and
(D) the program must include the following statement: