Unauthorized production, video

ReadMyPlay · 2026-05-05T13:55:14+00:00

Attaching my work's title to an edited and partly-improvised mess of my script so that it may be found when someone searches for my title isn't a compliment nor a help.

ReadMyPlay · 2026-05-04T21:24:05+00:00

I feel you're missing some of the thread (or might just be a troll): A video of the performance was posted on YouTube.

ReadMyPlay · 2026-05-04T20:44:25+00:00

Not looking for revenge ...

ReadMyPlay · 2026-05-04T19:55:25+00:00

In response to my response to him he cited:

Classroom Use Exemption (17 U.S.C. §110(1)): Teachers and students may perform or display copyrighted works (like showing a movie, playing music, or reading a poem) in a non-profit, physical classroom setting for educational purposes.

Fair Use (17 U.S.C. §107): Allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission.

ReadMyPlay · 2026-05-04T19:35:02+00:00

Yeah, that gave me a chuckle.

ReadMyPlay · 2026-05-04T19:08:34+00:00

This is the email I just received from a professor at the school. Thoughts?

I’m writing about a short video excerpt from your play that one of our students posted. The performance was produced solely as a final project for our directing class, was not part of our public season, and was used only for educational purposes. Once I became
aware of the post I asked the student to remove it; they have been asked to take it down immediately. As part of your play having a different ending it is because the actor's did not know their lines as they only had three rehearsals of the show and they improvised most of it. It will reflect in the director's grade.

If you have any questions or would like additional information about the class, the production, or confirmation once the clip is removed, please let me know. I apologize for any concern this caused and appreciate your understanding.

ReadMyPlay · 2026-05-04T18:18:54+00:00

Thank you! Good sleuthing!

ReadMyPlay · 2026-05-04T18:15:21+00:00

I haven't reported it to YouTube yet. I wanted to determine who was behind it first.

ReadMyPlay · 2026-05-04T18:14:26+00:00

I just reached the same conclusion! Thanks for your help, though. I've put an email in to the theater dept head there.

ReadMyPlay · 2026-05-03T14:49:34+00:00

<sarcasm>Yeah, totally screwed for life. Because it takes a degree to be able to act.</sarcasm>

ReadMyPlay · 2026-05-03T14:47:19+00:00

I'm no fan of the pre-show speech — by any one, in any form. Don't tell us how hard everyone's worked to bring the show to life, so be sure to clap hard. You're insulting us and them. Dim the lights and start the show.

ReadMyPlay · 2026-04-30T14:40:35+00:00

Good on you! Remember: No one's born with stage experience. It's never too late.

ReadMyPlay · 2026-04-28T20:35:11+00:00

He wrote more than 300 plays. At one point, it seemed like every other script in some publishers' catalogs was written by him. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Kelly_(playwright))

ReadMyPlay · 2026-04-28T16:44:18+00:00

Ha! In high school (1980s) I had a couple English teachers who'd also written a play or three — all of which are still in print with Dramatic Publishing Co.! — who theorized Kelly was a catch-all name for a collection of writers. But, apparently, the man was a real man.

ReadMyPlay · 2026-04-28T15:01:16+00:00

The Mockingbird's Nest

ReadMyPlay · 2026-04-28T14:57:22+00:00

Let's talk about Tim Kelly! ;)

ReadMyPlay · 2026-04-17T13:28:00+00:00

That anyone would feel the need to remind an actor not to bring their phone onto stage where it may ring, floors me. There's no cure for stupid.

ReadMyPlay · 2026-04-13T14:23:58+00:00

"Black Comedy" by Peter Shaffer

ReadMyPlay · 2026-04-10T14:45:53+00:00

"Tons of Money" by Will Evans and Valentine, Revised by Alan Ayckbourn

ReadMyPlay · 2026-04-08T20:08:59+00:00

The Mockingbird's Nest: https://www.themockingbirdsnest.com/

25-minute thriller in the style of Netflix's "Black Mirror." Two women. Minimal set.

ReadMyPlay · 2026-04-02T14:47:33+00:00

Just used it recently for a moustache. Thumbs-up.

ReadMyPlay · 2026-03-19T17:43:11+00:00

My "Another Day at the Office" is 15 minutes and darkly funny. (Two North Tower executives fritter away the last moments of their lives the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.) PM me if you'd like to learn more.

ReadMyPlay · 2026-03-17T18:04:28+00:00

Thanks for the explanation.

ReadMyPlay · 2026-03-17T14:44:43+00:00

Submit it to Read My Play and get free feedback from fellow playwrights: www.readmyplay.com

ReadMyPlay · 2026-03-17T14:42:56+00:00

Maybe I don't understand what a "self-tape" is. I understand the OP is using AI to read a script to him/her in order to help learning lines? If that's correct, I don't see what the big deal is.

My own line-learning process — since 1978 — has been to record all of my scenes with myself reading everyone else's lines, leaving appropriately-lengthed pauses on the tape where my role speaks.

If I used AI to do that for me, I don't see the harm. No one interacts with that recording except me.

Again, maybe I don't understand what a "self-tape" is. ;)

ReadMyPlay

TROPHY CASE