Frequently Asked Questions
Using and Ordering from the Online Catalog
Do I have to pay to look at plays I’m considering?
If you want to preview musicals, we have an extremely helpful Musical Perusal Program that allows you to borrow a script and a piano score or a script and a CD Sampler for up to three different shows for 30 days while you choose which musical will be best for your group. To obtain a preview copy of any non-musical play or text, you will need to purchase a single reading copy. This copy is then yours, as we do not send scripts or texts on approval. Most of our customers find that developing a personal library of playbooks and texts is quite advantageous. Material that doesn’t work for you one year may be ideal another year with a different group of actors.
How does your perusal program work?
You can borrow a script and a piano score or a script and a CD Sampler for up to three different musicals for a $15 rental fee that covers postage and handling. It also provides you with a pre-paid UPS return label as long as you provide us a street address in the continental United States. You may borrow the material for 30 days. Once you’ve decided which show you’re going to do and place a production order within 90 days of your perusal order, we will bill you for the material you are keeping and waive the $15 perusal fee if it is still unpaid or credit it toward your production order if you already paid it.
This truly is a no lose program. If you don’t do one of the shows you perused, return it all and pay just $15 to borrow up to $75 worth of material! You don’t even pay for return shipping from street addresses within the continental United States. Of course, we will bill you at the regular price for any material you keep.
How can I listen to the music for a show to hear if I like it?
Almost every single one of our musicals has pre-recorded music available. You may hear a small portion of every song from the show on our website simply by clicking on a song title from the musical’s page. To hear a longer selection of each and every song, you may get a CD Sampler of that musical. You can rent a CD Sampler through our perusal program or purchase it for just $4.00. Since each CD Sampler has eight to ten different musicals on it, it can help you choose musicals for years to come!
What does “flexible” mean in the cast size?
Flexible refers to the gender of the actors, not the number of actors. Thus a “Flexible cast of 15” has 15 speaking roles with several of them that can be played by a male or a female. Typically, in Pioneer plays and musicals, roles such as teachers, principals, judges and reporters can be played by either an actor or an actress.
Because our customers typically have more females than males in their casts, we often write flexible roles as female. However, you are welcome to change the gender of any character in a Pioneer Drama play or musical as long as it doesn’t impact the plot of the play.
Flexible does not mean you can reduce the number of speaking roles or scripts required to produce a show.
What does “doubling” mean in the cast size?
“Doubling possible” suggests that there are a few instances where the same actor can play two small parts. Generally, this can reduce the cast of a show by three to four people and is something to look at if you have a small ensemble. Doubling does not mean that you can cut the cast size or script requirement in half.
What do the M and F mean in the catalog descriptions?
This tells you how many speaking roles are in the play or musical: M stands for male, F for female. If a role can be played by a male or female, we designate it as “flexible.” Because our customers typically have more females than males in their casts, we often write flexible roles as female. However, you are welcome to change the gender of any character in a Pioneer Drama play or musical as long as it doesn’t impact the plot of the play.
How accurate are the time estimates in your catalog descriptions?
Every group presents their show at a different pace, and every audience responds differently. Thus, these time estimates are just that—rough estimates. If your group is middle school age or younger, you would be wise to assume that their pacing will not be quite as fast and thus your performance will take longer than the time estimate. Audiences full of friends and family who warmly applaud at the end of every scene also extend the running time of a show.
What’s the difference between a reading order and a production order?
A reading order is for getting just a single copy of script to read it and see if you like it. Most of our customers start their process with us by picking three or four shows from our wide selection and ordering a reading copy of each. Some people require two reading copies if there is more than one person involved in selecting the play or musical.
Reading copies are to be used only to decide on a show for production. They cannot be copied or reproduced in any way.
Once you’ve decided which show you want to do, you place a production order to get all the material you need for your entire cast and crew. At this time, you also arrange for royalties to be paid, either with the materials or closer to your production dates.
What’s included in a CD set?
Each CD Set includes two CDs. The first has the vocals along with all the music you need for the show, fully orchestrated and studio produced. The second CD is just the music without the vocals; basically it’s a karaoke CD. Purchasing the CD Set and paying your royalties gives you the right to use either CD in any performance.
We’re proud of the quality of our CDs and feel they are some of the best in the industry. To preview a CD’s quality and the richness of the orchestration, you can listen to the song samples on our website or on a CD Sampler.
We recognize that these CDs are costly and a significant investment for you. That’s why all our CDs are unconditionally guaranteed for your entire production. If your CD gets damaged in any way or will no longer play, just let us know and we will immediately replace it at no cost to you.
Can you bill me?
Your organization automatically has credit with Pioneer Drama Service when you provide us with the business name and a legitimate business address. All others, including businesses operating out of a residence, must prepay for both their materials and their royalties. For your convenience, we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
What is your return policy?
Pioneer Drama Service will only accept returns of material previewed through the Musical Perusal Program (see above). WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT THE RETURN OF ANY OTHER MATERIAL. No other scripts or texts are sent on approval. Any returns received may be refused or subjected to a 20% restocking fee in addition to original shipping and handling charges. Please do not place a production order for any play or musical until you have read a preview copy of the script. We encourage you to purchase single reading copies or use the perusal program to help you decide on the best show for your group.
What do you do with my email address and other information?
Your confidentiality is guaranteed. We NEVER sell or rent our list of customer names. To maintain your trust and confidence, we will not release any information you provide us to a third party unless we need to enlist an attorney or collection agency to collect payment and/or royalties.
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