I have become aware of a situation in which a local organization is putting up shows, and in their licensing requests they undereport the number of times they are going to do the show, they low ball the attendance #'s etc. I feel this is completely unethical and hurts those of us who follow the rules. Is there anything I can do, or should do? Do I 'report' it to the agency or just ignore it? This same organization also 'creates' its own shows by picking and choosing songs and selling it as a review. They are also not paying ASCAP for the rights to those songs....again its completely unethical.
I'd love to hear some dialog as to wether or not I should do something about it. THANKS!

I have to disagree. Even though it's "Community Theater" it still boils down to "business" regardless of whether you are classified "non-profit." When someone cheats like that, they are unfairly competing with surrounding theater groups.

They are expanding their ability to advertise, set build, etc. only because they don't play by the rules. (They might even be undercutting the other groups on ticket prices.)

So you see, they're not just being unfair to the play services, they are being unfair to other actors.

Ozzie

If you play fast and loose with the information you send in on royalty requests, you will probably be able to do it forever, if no one informs the licensing company. If the Licensing company is informed they will send someone out (not necessarily a direct employee) to check on the producing group, and then take action against the group.

The whistle blowing on the offending group would help every other group in keeping royalties down, but anyone who would inform a licensing company should be absolutley sure of the facts.

If you are sure of the facts then it comes down to your own values as to weather to let the rights owners know about the group that is cheating.

John