Samuel French, Inc.

Samuel French, Inc.
private
Founded 1830
Headquarters New York City
Website Main site

Samuel French, Inc. is an American company, founded by Samuel French and Thomas Hailes Lacey, who formed a partnership to combine their existing interests in London and New York. It publishes plays, represents authors, and sells scripts from their Los Angeles, UK, and online bookstores.

The firm has offices in New York City; London; Hollywood, California; and Studio City, California.[1]

The company's London subsidiary, Samuel French Ltd., publishes stage plays for the UK market, mostly acting editions, serves as licensing agent for performance rights, and runs a theatrical bookshop on its premises at Fitzrovia in central London, England.

History

Samuel French was born in Massachusetts shortly after the turn of the 19th Century and began publishing French’s American Drama in the mid 1800s in New York. It quickly became the most extensive and widely distributed catalogue in the US. French soon acquired a London dramatic publishing company, originally founded by Thomas Hailes Lacey, and continued to expand his business on both sides of the Atlantic - Samuel French managing the London business while his son, Thomas Henry, took control of the New York operations.

In the late 1800s, Samuel French began publishing contemporary American dramas, and helped the amateur theatre movement by making more plays available to “Little Theatres” – a rewarding concept that had never before been done in the industry. By the turn of the century, amateur interest in acting had increased enormously. As the quality and quantity of available plays improved, so the number of amateur groups increased. The seeds of the Little Theatre movement were sown. By the time of the WW1, such groups along with the High School societies were the firm’s best customers. Although both father and son had long since died, the NY and London entities continued under the capable hands of their managing partners. From the mid 1940s to the early '90s, the company witnessed much growth in its catalogue and business. During this time, the Stock companies, including the League of Regional Theatres were flourishing; so too were the Little Theatres, and the development of the Dinner Theatre, which was proving increasingly popular. From the mid 90’s to the present, the Samuel French catalogue has grown substantially with a focus on emerging playwrights carefully balanced by additional acquisitions of the most prominent American and British playwrights such as Neil Simon, Tom Stoppard, Edward Albee, August Wilson and David Mamet to name but a few.

To this day the company strives to cultivate and expand our catalogue to meet the artistic needs of all of theatres, mindful of how history has shaped not only the company, but the theatrical industry as a whole.

Vision and Core Values

Samuel French is the dramatic literature resource for the English-speaking theatrical community and the champion of emerging playwrights. Their core values are to celebrate art, cultivate creativity, express gratitude, have fun, and be exceptional.

Mission

• Provide security for authors,

• Introduce theatre to new audiences and communities,

• Help theatres create more standing ovations,

• Support customers, clients, and each other,

• Continuously redefine the standard and push beyond it, and

• Maintain the legacy of Samuel French and his colleagues.

Key Executives

• Nate Collins, President

• Bruce Lazarus, Executive Director

Product Categories

Though most known for plays, Samuel French offers a variety of publications spanning many different categories.

• Plays

• ePlays

• Musicals

• Anthologies and Collections

• Monologues and Scenework

• Acting, Audition and Performance

• Biography

• Directing, Producing and Administration

• DVDs and CDs

• Education

• Film, TV and Radio

• Merchandise

• Musical Interest

• Production Material

• Shakespeare

• Stagecraft, Design and Technology

• Theatre History, Theory and Criticism

• Writing

Licensing

Samuel French offers licensing online and over the phone. The website lists steps for applying for a license and provides tools for planning a season. When purchasing a license for a show, a company can also obtain materials in the following categories that can help make a show the best it can be:


Exploration

• ePlays: Browse collection of over 1000 digital titles, then choose your favorites to instantly download to your mobile device.

• Reference Recordings: Take a listen to some songs from your top choices and see what fits your theater.

• Instant Score Perusals: Download perusal scores of your top musicals to help decide what is right for you.

• Alternate Versions: Get the youth involved! Browse through our family-friendly versions of your favorite titles, which we’ve tailored to young performers.

• Plan-a-Season: Contact a Theatrical Specialist; they’ll help you determine which plays and musicals are a perfect fit for your theater – all at no charge to you.


Rehearsal

• Directors Guides: The creators of the show want your production to thrive – so take some advice and how-to tips from them in our Director Guides.

• Study Guides: Acting in a show is more than memorizing lines. Help your cast or theatre class better understand the characters, plot, era, and themes of your productions by utilizing our Study Guides.

• ScenePartner: Need to learn lines? It’s a breeze with the ScenePartner App, available for mobile and tablet devices.

• Large Print: Perfect for easy reading and handling onstage, our Large Print scripts are printed on 8.5 x 11” spiral bound pages with enlarged text.

• Rehearsal Tracks: Give your cast the practice they deserve. Provide song tracks to sing along to during rehearsals or on their own at home.

• Custom Transposition: If you find a particular song is out of your performer’s vocal range, they can help.


Tech & Crew

• Prop Shop: Rent specialized, professionally designed props for titles that require large or unusual stage items and elevate the look and appeal of your show!

• Stage Manager Scripts: Prepare your stage managers with a practical 3-ring binder with one-sided 8.5 x 11” pages. Perfect for writing cues and taking notes. Also, a great option for directors and designers.

• Sound Effects: Streamline your production time. Check to see if your show comes with pre-existing Sound Effects files.

• Projection Images: Save some time and see if your show has pre-existing Projection Images from the original production.


Marketing

• Logo Packs: Use production-ready artwork to create flyers, e-blasts, posters, programs and more.

• Video Promotion: Reach your fans through all mediums – create a customized, high-quality video spot to share with your audiences.

• Special Editions: Make your cast and crew feel as special as they are. Order a customized acting edition tailored to your specific production, complete with cast listing, photographs, autograph pages and more!

• Video Licenses: Obtain a special clearance for specific titles from Samuel French, and you can video your production for your archival records.

Breaking Character

Samuel French is proud to publish an online magazine entitled Breaking Character. On the site, staff members and guest authors contribute to writing various articles related to the world of theatre. Some topics include new publications, title spotlights, musical moments, staff picks, and playwright profiles. The magazine also allows for interaction with the public.

Off-Off-Broadway Short Play Festival

Samuel French’s annual Off-Off-Broadway Short Play Festival (commonly referred to as OOB) takes place every summer in New York City. Thousands of playwrights from around the world submit their short plays for consideration, but only 30 are chosen to participate. The festival takes place over a week, with 4-8 plays being presented per night. Finalists are narrowed down and eventually six are chosen as the winners. Winners are presented with publication and licensing rights and have their show published in a collection of winners from that year. The festival has resulted in the publishing of nearly 200 plays since its inception in 1975.

Social Media Presence

The company makes a point to have a large online presence and often interacts directly with followers. They utilize Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep the public updated on news in the theatre community, new publications they have obtained, send direct messages to theatre presenting their titles, and host live chats, contests, and giveaways.

References

  1. ↑ "Samuel French, Inc.". Retrieved 2007-12-13.

    External links


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