Concord Theatricals

Concord Theatricals is the world's largest and most comprehensive theatrical licensing and publishing company, formed through the historic merger of Samuel French, Rodgers and Hammerstein Theatricals, and Tams-Witmark Music Library, combining nearly two hundred years of collective history serving the theatrical community. This consolidation brought together three of the most storied names in theatrical publishing under a single organization that now controls the licensing rights to thousands of plays and musicals spanning the entire history of American and international theater. The Samuel French catalog alone, founded in 1830, represents one of the most extensive collections of acting editions of plays ever assembled, while the Rodgers and Hammerstein catalog includes some of the most beloved and frequently produced musicals in the world. Tams-Witmark's century-plus history of licensing classic musicals adds further depth to a combined catalog that is unmatched in the theatrical publishing landscape.

The Concord Theatricals catalog encompasses thousands of titles ranging from classic American dramas and comedies through contemporary works by the most acclaimed living playwrights, alongside a musical theater catalog that includes both landmark Golden Age titles and cutting-edge contemporary musicals. The play catalog includes works by Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Edward Albee, August Wilson, Sarah Ruhl, Annie Baker, and hundreds of other playwrights whose works form the foundation of the American dramatic canon. The musical theater holdings include titles from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and many others, providing licensing access to the most frequently produced musicals in professional, educational, and community theater. This breadth of catalog means that Concord Theatricals is likely the first stop for any theater company, school, or community organization seeking to license a production of a well-known play or musical.

For actors, Concord Theatricals serves as a primary source for purchasing acting editions of plays for audition preparation, scene study, and personal library building. The acting editions published under the Samuel French imprint are specifically formatted for performers and production teams, including stage directions, property lists, and production notes that provide practical guidance for rehearsal and performance. Having physical copies of plays in acting edition format is valuable for actors who prefer working with text that includes performance-relevant information beyond the bare dialogue found in some trade editions. The ability to browse and purchase individual scripts from the enormous catalog makes it possible for actors to build personal libraries that include both canonical works and contemporary plays that may be relevant to their current audition and study needs.

The licensing function of Concord Theatricals is the primary service that drives the company's operations, providing the legal permissions and performance materials necessary for theaters of every size to produce copyrighted plays and musicals. The licensing process involves negotiating fees based on factors including theater size, ticket prices, number of performances, and whether the production is professional, educational, or community-based. For actors, understanding the licensing landscape is important because it affects which plays and musicals are available for production in their local markets and at what cost, which in turn influences the casting opportunities that become available. Concord Theatricals' dominance in theatrical licensing means that actors working in community, educational, and regional theater will frequently encounter productions licensed through the company.

Concord Theatricals has invested significantly in digital capabilities, offering an online catalog that allows users to search, browse, and license titles through the company's website. The digital catalog includes detailed information about each title, including cast breakdowns, production requirements, synopsis, and review excerpts, providing useful reference information for actors researching potential audition material or exploring unfamiliar works. The company also offers digital perusal copies for some titles, allowing directors and producers to review scripts before committing to licensing, which can benefit actors by facilitating faster production planning and earlier casting processes. The online licensing system has streamlined what was historically a complex and time-consuming process, making it easier for smaller theater organizations to access and produce quality dramatic material that enriches the theatrical landscape and creates performance opportunities for actors.

Script purchases through Concord Theatricals are priced individually, with acting editions typically ranging from ten to fifteen dollars per copy depending on the title, which is comparable to standard book pricing and represents a modest investment in professional material that actors will reference throughout their careers. Licensing fees for productions vary significantly based on the title, production scale, ticket pricing, and producing organization type, with professional theaters paying higher fees than educational or community productions. Some titles command premium licensing fees, particularly popular musicals and award-winning contemporary plays that are in high demand. Concord Theatricals occasionally offers promotions on script purchases, and bulk ordering for production casts typically receives discounted per-unit pricing. Compared to the overall cost of theater production, licensing fees represent a necessary investment in the intellectual property that forms the artistic foundation of every production. For individual actors purchasing scripts for personal study, the per-title cost is negligible relative to other career expenses like headshots, classes, and union dues.

Concord Theatricals is essential for any actor who takes their craft seriously enough to invest in building a personal script library and who wants access to acting editions of the most important plays and musicals in the dramatic canon. It is the first resource theaters of every size consult when planning seasons and licensing productions, making it a central element of the infrastructure that creates casting opportunities for actors across professional, educational, and community theater. Actors who want to stay informed about available material should familiarize themselves with the Concord Theatricals catalog and browsing tools, as understanding what is licensable helps them anticipate which titles may be produced in their local markets. For actors interested in classical and canonical material, the Samuel French acting editions provide the definitive performance-oriented texts for study and preparation. The company's catalog is particularly relevant for actors working in community and educational theater, where the majority of productions are licensed through Concord Theatricals or its direct competitors.

Browse the Concord Theatricals online catalog to discover plays and musicals that match your type, interests, and career goals, using the search and filter tools to explore titles by genre, cast size, and production requirements. Purchase acting editions of plays you are auditioning for or studying, as having the physical text with stage directions and production notes enriches your preparation beyond what a simple dialogue script provides. Build a personal library of scripts over time, prioritizing canonical works in your primary casting genres and contemporary plays by writers whose work is being widely produced, as this library becomes an invaluable reference resource throughout your career. When you discover titles in the catalog that excite you and that you think would be well-suited for theaters in your community, bring them to the attention of artistic directors and directors you work with, as championing productions creates opportunities for involvement from the earliest stages of the creative process. Follow Concord Theatricals on social media and subscribe to their communications to stay informed about new titles added to the catalog, licensing promotions, and industry news that may affect production activity in your market. Familiarize yourself with the licensing process even if you are not directly involved in producing, as understanding how productions are planned and budgeted gives you valuable context for the business side of the theater industry that affects your casting opportunities.