Dramatists Play Service, Inc:
Lots of heavy hitting dramas. Some plays are more appropriate for college or regional theater. However, if you have a talented high school student body, by all means explore their website.
Catalogue / Contact Information:
440 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016
Tel. 212-683-8960 | Fax 212-213-1539
Website: www.dramatists.com
Read my overview of Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
Samuel French Plays:
They’ve been around for over a century, yet still Samuel French amasses fresh, top-notch talent. Their website could use an overhaul, in my opinion – but they are still the place to go to find plays by David Mamet, Neil Simon, and many other Broadway icons. They have an extensive collection of material, both classic and modern.
Catalogue / Contact Information:
45 West 25th Street
New York, NY 10010-2751
Phone (212) 206-8990
Fax (212) 206-1429
Website: http://www.samuelfrench.com
Read my review of Samuel French.
Playscripts, Inc.
Relatively new in the play publishing world, these guys are actively connecting with playwrights, dramaturges, directors, and teachers. The result of their efforts is a dynamic collection of plays, some kid-friendly, some thought-provoking. Check them out; they are eager to meet your drama needs.
Catalogue / Contact Information:
325 West 38th Street
Suite 305
New York, NY 10018
Toll-Free Phone: 1-866-NEW-PLAY (1-866-639-7529)
Website: www.playscripts.com
Eldridge Plays and Musicals
First of all, I am completely biased about this company. They gave me my first big break as a playwright! So, I can personally attest that their editing staff is truly seeking the best in children’s theater. It’s a nicely organized website too; website visitors can see when and where all of the plays have been performed.
Catalogue / Contact Information:
PO Box 14367
Tallahassee, FL 32317
Phone: 1-850-385-2463
Website: www.histage.com
Pioneer Drama Service:
Here you’ll find hundreds of good-natured plays, terrific for large school productions. Lots of clever storylines and heartfelt conclusions. And for playwrights, they offer an ongoing competition to help new voices get published.
Contact / Catalogue Information:
P.O. Box 4767
Englewood, CO 80155
Phone: 1-800-333-7262
Website: www.pioneerdrama.com
Heuer Publishing:
This is another wonderful company for both playwrights and drama teachers. Some of my most successful shows have been published by Heuer. Drama instructors and directors will find this company’s website very user-friendly with lots of plays, musicals and resources for all levels of drama.
Catalogue / Contact Information:
Box 248
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406
Phone: 1-800-950-7529
Website: www.hitplays.com
Baker's Plays
In addition to many adaptations of classics, and standard light-hearted fare for school aged children, Baker's Plays also features an impressive catalog of dialect instructional CDs. Also, they cater to younger writers. In particular they host an annual playwriting contest for high school students.
Contact information:
7611 Sunset Blvd Hollywood, CA 90046
Phone: 323-876-0579
Visit the Baker's Plays website.
Bad Wolf Press:
These folks specialize in short, funny educational musicals. If you are an elementary teacher looking for an entertaining way to teach children the Gold Rush, Shakespeare, Science, Character Building etc. – Bad Wolf Press is the place to go.
Catalogue / Contact Information:
Email: ron@badwolfpress.com
Website: www.badwolfpress.com
Theatrefolk:
Based in Canada, Theatrefolk was launched by playwright Lindsay Price and actor Craig Mason. Their list is still growing, but so far they offer a wide range of comedies and melodramas appropriate for middle school -- as well as some classic adaptations ideal for high school performers.
What sets this company apart from others is that it offers a "script bank." This is a list of over sixty one-act plays that can be utilized for a single fee of $399 for a full year. Sounds like a decent deal for ambitious drama teachers.
Contact Information:
PO Box 1064
Crystal Beach ON L0S 1B0
Canada
Phone: 1-866-245-9138
Norman Maine Plays:
Another play publishing company that is relatively new to the game, Norman Maine Plays showcases a lot of newly discovered talent. Their comedies are always inventive and often wacky. Their dramas are often edgier than what you might find at more “mainstream” companies.
Catalogue / Contact Information:
P.O. Box 1400
Tallevast, FL 34270
Email: Info@NormanMainePlays.com
Website: www.normanmaineplays.com
Contemporary Drama Service
Since 1967, the Zapel family has been bringing very funny scripts to schools and community theaters. Although they do offer the usual assortment of serious minded "prevention plays" about peer pressure and self-esteem, the heart-and-soul of Contemporary Drama Service is comedy. Their catalog is full of pop-culture and literary spoofs, as well as a host of comic melodramas.
Contact information:
PO Box 7710
Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7710 USA
Phone: 800-937-5297
