{"id":66,"date":"2021-07-29T04:40:03","date_gmt":"2021-07-29T04:40:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mississippitheatre.org\/?page_id=66"},"modified":"2026-08-02T15:45:30","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T20:45:30","slug":"community-theatre-division","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mississippitheatre.org\/?page_id=66","title":{"rendered":"Community Theatre"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Community Theatre Registration<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Community Theatre Festival will take place in Oxford, MS, for MTA 2027. Our welcome letter and updated Information for the next festival is HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ONE ACT FESTIVAL REGISTRATION form can be found HERE. The deadline to register for the one-act festival will be December 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Festival Registration can be found by visiting https:\/\/mississippitheatre.ludus.com and opens every year on October 1. The deadline to register your group on Ludus is December 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Community Theatre Chairs and the Executive Director are here to assist you and your theatre.  Please get in touch with us with questions regarding running your community theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to hosting the statewide community theatre festival, we also host an annual workshop.<\/strong> The workshop is geared toward all theatre professionals in our state. If you have suggestions for workshops, be sure to let us know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any theatre competing at the MTA Festival must be registered as a community theatre. See the rules and guidelines for more information. Contact the festival chairs with questions. Community Theatre Festival Guidelines<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adult Individual Events are a great way to show off your talent and get involved in MTA 2027! Information regarding this festival can be found HERE<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MTA maintains a general-purpose email listserv to distribute information about the association and promote theatres sharing information about their events.  If you would like to be added to the listserv, send an email to Chris Roebuck, Executive Director<\/a>.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sherri Marengo<\/a>
<\/a>Chair<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Thomas La Foe
Vice-Chair<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Community Theatre Festival Letter and Information<\/a>
<\/strong>MTA 2027 information has been posted in the link above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/meta>Community Theatre Festival Guidelines<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MTA 2027 information will be posted in early October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchasing Rights for your performance<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Music Rights for Live Theatre<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When producing a show that includes music, it\u2019s important to make sure your theatre has the legal rights<\/strong> to perform that music. Here\u2019s a quick guide to help you stay compliant and protect your theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1\ufe0f\u20e3 What Are Music Rights?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Music rights give you permission to perform a song or musical score in front of an audience.
Even if you\u2019ve bought the sheet music or a recording, that doesn\u2019t automatically mean you can use it in a live show \u2014 you still need the right license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2\ufe0f\u20e3 Types of Rights<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Small Rights<\/strong> \u2013 for non-dramatic uses, like playing a song before the show, during intermission, or as background music.
These are usually<\/span><\/em> covered by blanket licenses through organizations like ASCAP<\/strong>, BMI<\/strong>, or SESAC<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Grand Rights<\/strong> \u2013 for dramatic uses, like musicals or plays where music helps tell the story.
If characters sing the song or it\u2019s part of the plot, you must get these rights directly from the publisher or licensing agency<\/strong> (like Music Theatre International, Concord Theatricals, or Dramatic Publishing).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3\ufe0f\u20e3 How to Get a License<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Find the rights holder<\/strong> \u2013 look up the show on the licensing company\u2019s website.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Submit an application<\/strong> \u2013 include your theatre\u2019s name, performance dates, ticket prices, and venue details.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Pay the royalty fee<\/strong> \u2013 this covers the author, composer, and publisher for the right to perform their work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Wait for approval<\/strong> \u2013 don\u2019t advertise, cast, or perform until your license is granted.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    4\ufe0f\u20e3 Important Rules<\/h4>\n\n\n\n