The advantage to commissioning a play is that you are involved from the beginning in shaping and structuring the piece according to your own vision and needs. You are not restricted by the demands or the form of a script that has already been written.

If you operate a nonprofit company, many foundations and governmental agencies make funds available to develop new works. In recent years, funding sources have become especially interested in supporting plays that dramatize certain social issues such as child sexual abuse, immigration, or LGBTQ rights. Special consideration is often given to female playwrights or members of minority groups.

This article explores the process of commissioning a play, particularly the legal issues that must be addressed.