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MTA PRODUCTION MATRIX
Process to Reduce Duplicate Productions – August 2009
MEMBER THEATRES
Member organizations agree to notify MTA regarding their next season via email (
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) on or after October 15 of the year prior to a given season. Organizations will also delineate which category these shows fall, i.e., comedy, drama, musical, or special event (any show with less than 5 public perfomances)
Member theatres and producing entities agree to notify MTA via email (
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) once their preliminary slate of possible productions is determined. Once an organization’s season is finalized, a follow-up email must be sent to confirm the final slate, and include the category (comedy, drama, musical, or special event) in which each production is to be considered. (In the case of regional and college/university category submissions, the two shows they wish to have adjudicated must be confirmed at that time.)
RELEVANT DATES & RULES
MTA will collect data beginning on October 15 of the year before a given season. In 2009, we will accept pre-publication data for the 2010-11 season on or after October 15. For more information about timelines, late submissions and alterations in a season, see the “Submissions Process” section in MTA’s Guidelines for Annual Theatre Awards, which can be accessed from the main page of our website (http://metrolinatheatre.org).
MTA PRODUCTION MATRIX
The MTA Production Matrix personnel will maintain an accurate, up-to-date listing of all play titles submitted by member theatres. (NOTE: Accurate and up-to-date listings are dependent on theatres submitting accurate records in a timely fashion.) This information will remain confidential until July 15, when the Production Matrix will be made available to the public. Theatres may submit a partial season, and are encouraged to submit any titles they have decided upon by July 15 of a given year. Once published, MTA uses the Matrix to keep MTA awards nominators, the general membership, and the public informed about productions throughout the region. MTA cannot be responsible for non-member organizations’ information. The MTA Awards season formally begins on August 16.
The sole exception to the rule of confidentiality is when the duplication of a specific title is determined. When duplication occurs, MTA will immediately contact the parties involved, and advise both of the title in conflict, and the respective dates of initial contact with MTA.
PRODUCERS’ RESPONSIBILITY
It is the responsibility of the organizations concerned to resolve any perceived conflict. MTA recommends that organizations contact one another, in advance, individually or through our organizational members mailing list –
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to discuss possible titles for their respective seasons. (This is a private list, and only organizational members may post to and receive mail from this list.) Producers are strongly encouraged to discuss the titles under consideration with other companies that produce similar work, and to honor all requests to keep that information confidential.
The process is effective only with member organizations’ support and full participation, and when they are aware of proprietary rights with regard to licensing (national tours are given preference over professional rights; movies and current Broadway runs may prevent amateur leasing, etc.). Also, publishing houses and authors’ representatives may license many productions of the same property in the same market in the same time period.
PURPOSE OF THE NON-DUPLICATION PROCESS
This process is not an attempt to regulate or control the selection of production material. It is intended to be a good faith effort to reduce the selection of duplicate titles in a season. Historically, the number of duplicates avoided has been an average of 5 to 7 per year, with a record of 15 duplicate productions avoided in the 2004-2005 season.
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