Lillenas Drama

How do I submit a manuscript to Lillenas Drama for possible publication?

Please click on "Playwright's Guidelines" from our home page to view a copy of our Playwright's Guidelines Brochure. In it, you will find information on manuscript specs, script format, copyright regulations, and payment, as well as our editorial needs. Manuscripts can be submitted to: Drama Resource Editor, Lillenas Publishing Company, P.O. Box 419527, Kansas City, MO, 64141. (All manuscripts containing music should be submitted to the Lillenas Music Editor.)

Where can I learn more about Lillenas Drama?

You can visit the About Us page on lillenasdrama.com to get some background information as well as useful links to several of the resource areas on the site.

Are performance royalties required? How do I know when a play script demands a royalty payment?

The catalogue and this web site indicate royalty plays by including the payment as $35/$25, $30/$20, $15/$10, $10/$5 and sometimes one flat rate such as $30 or $15. The first number indicates the fee for the first performance while the second number is for subsequent performances within the same run. If there is only one fee listed, it is the fee for every performance.

What if I don't charge admission? Do I still have to pay a royalty fee?

Royalty fees are not dependent upon admission charges. Any time a royalty script is performed in front of an audience, a royalty payment needs to be made.

When do I pay my royalty or performance fee, and whom should I send it to?

Royalty or performance fees should be sent two weeks before your performances. Mail the payment to: PERFORMANCE ROYALTY OFFICE; Lillenas Drama Resources; P.O. Box 419527, Kansas City, MO 64141.

What about music products that are available on your web site? Where can I find copyright and permission information about them?

You can click here to find answers to copyright questions about music products.

Does a professional company pay the same royalty as an amateur group?

No. All royalty fees quoted are for amateur performances. Contact us about professional use and other media presentations.

Do I have to give Lillenas a credit line and if so what do I use?

Yes. Please be sure to include the following line in the program or on any other advertising pieces: Produced with special arrangements of Lillenas Publishing Company.

When can I photocopy a script and not break the copyright law? Do I always need to request permission?

Lillenas' current policy is as follows: the price of sketch books, including The Worship Drama Library Series, include the right to photocopy. Plays can not be photocopied. If you plan to produce the play you must purchase a production pack which includes the scripts for the play at a reduced rate. Certain photocopying rights are outlined in the production packs for minor characters and staff. Our policy on program builders gives you the right to make copies once three books of the same title have been purchased. Copies cannot be loaned, sold, or stored in a retrieval system. Every copy you make must have the following statement on it: "Copied from [book title] by [author's name] copyright (c) [year]."

Why would I need to purchase a Production Pack?

When one copy of a playbook is purchased, it is understood that it is for reading purposes only. Permission to perform is granted when a production pack containing scripts for the cast and director is purchased and the royalty is paid two weeks prior to the performance(s). Besides being a required purchase in order to perform the play, the pack gives you the scripts your cast needs at a discounted price and sometimes contains production helps such as promo material and music cues.

How much am I able to change a script to make it acceptable for my purposes?

Because you are working with someone else's intellectual property, meaning the script is under copyright, you can make very few changes if any. Most secular publishers (Samuel French, Baker's, and the like) allow you to delete profanity, and that's about it. You cannot put words into the mouth (or from the pen) of a playwright to fit your point of view. The script is the author's property, not yours, and not even Lillenas'.

So, I can make no changes to a Lillenas script?

Any changes you wish to make need to be cleared with the Lillenas office. In many instances we will clear with the playwright. Some changes that have been approved by playwrights recently are: (1) Changing the gender of a character with appropriate pronoun editing and rechristening the character. (2) Changing the location of a setting. (3) Combining two characters into one. All of these necessitated author's approval. Please put your request in the form of a letter or write to us at drama@lillenas.com.

What about adding characters to a script?

Lillenas writer Paul McCusker has turned down this request at various times. One reason being the need for additional dialogue, probably written by an amateur. Most playwrights are troubled by others dabbling with their published works.

What if we want the play to be evangelistic?

Then select such a play. Don't rewrite an existing script to say what you want to have said.

How can I find scripts that will reflect the themes and scripture verses I'm trying to illustrate?

Use the search tool and search by Biblical references. Material that has matching books and verses will be listed for you.

How can I be sure that Lillenas play scripts reflect our church's theological point of view?

First of all, understand that Lillenas Publishing Co. is a conservative, evangelical business. It is the music and drama division of Nazarene Publishing House. Theology per se is minimized, though the common tenants of the faith are dealt with non controversially. Most of our scripts deal with the common tenets of the Christian faith.

It is difficult to select a script sight-unseen. Can I view samples of scripts? Also, do you have downloadable scripts available?

We have provided sample pages for all the books we sell on our website. Take a look at those to get a better idea of what you are ordering. For your convenience, we also sell individual sketches that you can download and print. From our home page, click on Downloadable Scripts. Downloadable scripts can be previewed in their entirety.