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Learn the basics of theatre rights and royalties in this quick, student-friendly video. Discover what they are, why they matter, and how they impact schools, teachers, and performers when producing a show.

Before any play is performed, you need two things: rights and royalties. Rights give you permission from the playwright or publisher to perform the play, while royalties are the fees paid to the playwright for their work. This video will walk students and teachers through these basics—so you can understand the rules and respect the work behind every play. Drama Notebook plays are typically royalty-free, but we do have some guidelines, which are also explained in this video.