Frequently Asked Questions

Check most frequently asked questions here
Searching for Plays Placing an Order General Queries Uncategorized
Searching for Plays
What's the best way to search the site?

When you're not looking for a specific play, but do have specific criteria, visit our full collection here and use the advanced search filters to select the things you're looking for in a play! This is the quickest and easiest way to find what you're looking for.

Alternatively, if you do have a specific play or playwright that you're searching for, enter the title of the play or the name of the playwright in the website’s search function, found here. Ensure that your spelling is correct to achieve the best results.

Is there an easy way to look at plays that are similar to each other?
Start your search on our collections page here. Our wide selection of scripts are broken down into more manageable categories and topics, such as Two Handers, New Plays, One Act Plays, and more.
I want information about a specific play or playwright.
You can use our web chat service (monitored Monday to Thursday, 9:30AM - 4:30PM) or email orders@playwrightsguild.ca for more information about specific plays.
Do you have sample or preview copies of scripts?
We are able to offer sample copies of some scripts from our digital collection to interested producers (amateur or professional) or educators. For more information, click here!
Where can I find the newest plays?

We feature new monthly play acquisitions on the front page of the CPO website, but you can also find collections for each month showcasing new plays. Find this month's collection here.

When you sign up for the Community Newsletter, you'll receive a monthly list of our newest titles, right in your inbox! Sign up for the newsletter here.

I don't see the play I'm searching for on your website.
Our first priority is to stock our members’ plays, and to provide access to a selection of published plays or anthologies by non-members. You may not see the play in question because the playwright is not yet a member, OR the member has not yet authorized a script to be available for purchase (plays produced by large professional theatres are often unavailable for their first year of being staged). But please contact the Program Manager at orders@playwrightsguild.ca if you’d like to know the status of a script.
Where can I find large cast plays written by female-identifying playwrights?

Look no further than the Pledge Project! Pledge is an acronym for a “Production Listing to Enhance Diversity and Gender Equity.” The main objective of the Pledge Project is to improve the number of women playwrights produced on the mainstages of post-secondary institutions and theatre training programs in Canada.

See the Pledge Project collection for plays available through our store, or check out pledgeproject.ca to find the full searchable database.

Placing an Order
What is the CPO's return policy?

All sales on digital and paperback scripts are final. A refund can sometimes be offered in the event that an error has occurred; please email orders@playwrightsguild.ca, as refunds cannot be processed over the phone.

See our full refund policy here.
How do I place an order?
Once you find the play you’d like to purchase, click the orange “Add to Cart” button. Make sure you have checked if your purchase is a hardcopy or digital download. Once you are happy with the items in your cart, select the orange “Check Out” button to complete your purchase. If you are purchasing a hardcopy, ensure that your shipment details are correct, and you have selected the appropriate shipping option for your needs.
What format does the play come in? How do I know?
We offer hardcopy and digital scripts for sale on the CPO. When you click on a play’s title, you will be brought to a page with the synopsis, etc. If the script is digital, you will see the word “Digital” above the orange “Add to Cart” button, a red "Digital Script" banner under the product image, or sometimes a "digital version" identifier in the product title. A digital copy will not request shipping information from you upon check-out, while a hard copy will.
When will I receive my order in the mail?

Delivery times depend on a variety of factors, and therefore are difficult to predict. If we have the product in stock, we will send it through Canada Post right away (any orders receiving on a weekend will be fulfilled the following Monday when the store re-opens). If the product is not in stock, order processing can take up to two weeks, not including shipping time. Please contact orders@playwrightsguild.ca before placing an order to see if an item is in stock.

CPO products ship from Ontario. A usual prediction for shipping times within Canada is one and a half to two weeks, but this is highly dependent on Canada Post’s delivery times.

When will I receive my digital download?
You will receive a link to your digital download immediately following your purchase. Should you not receive a link right away, please contact orders@playwrightsguild.ca and we can look into the issue.
How many copies of a script do I need to buy for my production?
You will need to purchase one script for every person involved who will be using the script; this includes cast, crew, director, designers, dramaturges, and any other person involved. For each digital copy you purchase from the CPO, you can print the script off one time. Therefore, if e.g. 10 people require access to the script, you will need to purchase 10 copies.
Can I get a photocopy license?
We do not offer a photocopy license at this time on digital scripts. Instead, we offer discounts on digital script purchases of two or more copies.

If you are seeking a photocopy license for a published book, please contact the publisher. If you are unsure what publisher to contact for a specific play, please contact orders@playwrightsguild.ca.
Does my musical script come with sheet music?
This varies between plays, based on copyright and the wishes of the playwright. Please contact orders@playwrightsguild.ca to find out the status of a musical’s sheet music.
I have a large OR time-sensitive order! What should I do?
Email orders@playwrightsguild.ca to ensure that we have the stock available to fulfill your order, and to receive a quote if necessary. 
General Queries
What is the Playwrights Guild of Canada?
The Playwrights Guild of Canada (PGC) is a registered national arts service association mandated to advance the creative rights and interests of professional Canadian playwrights, promote Canadian plays nationally and internationally, and foster an active, evolving community of writers for the stage.

The Canadian Play Outlet is the bookstore operated by PGC.
How do I get my play into the Canadian Play Outlet?

We accept play submissions from members of the Playwrights Guild of Canada through the Play Distribution Program. Find out more about PGC membership here. and about the Play Distribution Program here. 

I want to license one of the plays from your store for an amateur production -- what is my first step?
We handle the production rights for a number of plays, and can also provide advice on how to secure the rights for plays that we don’t. Begin your application for amateur rights here. 
I have applied for amateur rights and haven't heard back. How can I find out the status of my application?
Please allow up to two weeks to hear back about your request. Once that time has passed you can email orders@playwrightsguild.ca for more information about your application’s status.
What are the store's hours and location?
We do not currently have a physical storefront location. Staff are available to answer emails Monday to Friday, 9AM - 5PM, and phone calls Monday to Thursday, 10AM - 4PM. We closed for all statutory holidays.
Do you offer any discounts?

We offer discounts on the sale of digital scripts, when 2 or more copies are purchased at one time.

We do not offer student, teacher, or arts worker discounts at this time.

I sent a message to the website's chat service and nobody answered!
Our apologies! The chat service is monitored by a real human, not a robot, and every attempt is made to monitor the chat Monday to Thursday, 9:30AM - 4:30PM, though sometimes we will be out of the office and unable to reply. Please email orders@playwrightsguild.ca if you have a question outside of the chat hours.
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