About United Stages
- What does United Stages do?
- We make, supply and deliver reliable, affordable, professional-quality show programs for New York small venue production companies and producers.
- Why does United Stages do this?
- To raise the public profile of New York small venue performance.
- What do you mean by “small venue”?
- Theatre, dance, opera, concerts and performance art for a small audience in venues with seating capacity of up to 300 seats. We can also supply programs to companies that utilize non-traditional, outdoor or site-specific locations.
- Can I see samples of your show programs?
- Yes. Contact us with a mailing address and we'll send them out right away.
Membership
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- How do I become a member?
- Simply order playbills for your next show or contact us to start your annual membership today.
- How do I renew my membership?
- We’ll send you a reminder note before your year is up. At that point just pay the $99 renewal fee.
- What does the $99 fee pay for?
- This helps to defray the cost of audience outreach initiatives, brochures and promotional materials.
- I don’t need playbills. Can I still promote my show through United Stages?
- Our playbill is an integral part of your overall marketing plan. Therefore, membership services may not be used to promote productions for which United Stages did not provide the performance playbill.
- When does my membership begin?
- Your first year of membership begins on the date your membership is paid and continues for a full 12 months after that date. Future renewals will be based on the date your first membership year began.
- How long will I have to renew once my current membership is expired?
- You’ll have a 30-day grace period at the end of each membership year to renew. During the grace period, your member status and benefits will be maintained as a courtesy.
- What happens to all my information if I do not renew my membership after the grace period?
- All past shows remain on the site’s archives, however, links will be disabled. Your company info will be removed from the site.
- Can I buy a membership for someone else?
- Of course! What a great gift for that producer friend in your life.
Production Company Registration
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- Why should I register my company with United Stages?
- To ensure your company quick and efficient program service every time you place an order.
- Does registering my company obligate me to order programs?
- No. Registration is not a contract and does not bind you to use the service, but we certainly hope you will.
- I’d rather not do this on the internet. Is there another way to register?
- You may print out the company registration page, fill it out and mail it to us. Or, if you'd prefer, feel free to call us and we'll help you get registered.
Submitting Your Biography (Bio)
- My production company just told me I have to give you my bio. What do I do now?
- Just click the “SUBMIT YOUR BIO” button. Then you will be prompted to choose the production that the bio is for, and then enter the bio. At the same time you can upload a headshot.
- When is the latest I can submit my bio?
- It is in your best interest to submit your bio as soon as you know you’ve been cast in a show that is using United Stages Programs. Check with your production company for the exact deadline date. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to submit your bio by the deadline date; otherwise we cannot guarantee that your bio will be in the program.
- I have different specialties and have a different bio for each. How many versions may I submit?
- We recognize that often people perform more than one job. That's why you are able to submit any number of different bios for a production.
- How long may my bio(s) be?
- We allow two versions of each bio. The short bio is up to 75 words. The long bio is up to 125 words. We will place either one in our programs as space allows.
- What about a headshot?
- We allow a professional photograph for each performer's bio. If you appear before the audience and program space allows, we'll include your headshot in our programs. All photos may be cropped and/or rescaled to fit our 1" x 1.25" frame. Please refer to image technical details for more information about submitting images.
Ordering Programs
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- Who can order play programs from United Stages?
- Any producer or production company of small venue performance in the greater New York City area who is a paid member of United Stages.
- I don’t have a production company. Can I still order programs for my show?
- Yes. Go to “Register” in the menu, then click on “register your production company.” Register using your own name, as if you were a production company. Then you may order programs.
- We only have one or two performances in our run. Will you still do our programs?
- Yes. Our pricing structure is based on the number of programs needed, not the length of the run.
- Can I order programs if my show is extended?
- Yes. We'd be more than happy to fulfill any additional orders.
- Can I order programs if my show is touring, or away from New York City?
- Yes, you may order programs from us. However, all of our advertising is local so we will not be able to subsidize the cost of out-of-town programs. We'll find ways of keeping the costs down, but out-of-town programs may cost more than our standard service. Contact us with the specifics of your show and we'll give you a quote.
- How do I order programs?
- Once you know the dates of your upcoming show, place your order using the GET PLAYBILLS! button. We'll get in touch with you and help you along with the remainder of the process.
Submission Guidelines
- Do I have to wait until all my program content is gathered before ordering programs?
- No. Even if you don’t have all the information yet, it’s wise to place your order and pay for your programs as early as possible. Once we have a confirmed, paid order, we can then begin building your program and add new content as it’s available. In order to get your programs to you on time, however, we must have all content submitted 16 days before the delivery date.
- Do you have an easy way for me to acquire biographical information for my artists, staff and designers?
- Yes. Let us collect the bios for you. Have each person submit his or her bio with us on our website by the content due-date and they will be in the program. Over time, we'll have many bios already in our database, which will make this process easier than ever before.
- Do I have to type in the same production company information every time I order programs with United Stages?
- Nope. We’ll keep your company’s general information in our database.
- What if I have casting or other changes after submitting information to you?
- You may make changes at any time before approving your final proof. However, bear in mind that your final proof must be approved no later than one week prior to the delivery date in order to receive your programs on time.
- Who proofs my program?
- All submitted text will go through a copy editor and/or a proofreader. Text may be changed slightly for spelling, grammar or clarity.
- Will I be able to proof my program?
- Yes. In fact, we won’t go to print until you approve the proof. We will format all your show’s info and then send you a proof via e-mail. You send us back any corrections or changes. We send it back to you for final approval before going to print.
Deadlines
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- When should I order my programs?
- As early as possible. In order to get your playbills to you on time, you’ll need to order and pay for your programs at least 16 days ahead of the delivery date.
- My show is less than 16 days away. Can I still order programs?
- Depending on our workload, we may be able to make special arrangements. Rush charges will apply. Please contact us with your inquiry.
- When do I need to pay for my programs?
- Payment is expected at the time you place your order. To ensure timely delivery of your programs be sure to place your order and make your payment at least 16 days before your first performance.
- What if my show gets cancelled or is postponed to a later date?
- We understand that schedules shift and circumstances change, including performance dates. We will always do our best to accommodate you. We may be able to provide you a full refund depending on how far in advance your show is cancelled/postponed. Please see our refund policy below for more details.
- What is your refund policy for playbill orders?
- If you cancel your order before submitting all of your program content, and no work has begun on your programs, we’ll refund 100% of your money or give you a credit of equal value toward your next production. If you cancel after you've submitted all of your content and work has begun on your programs, we cannot offer a refund or credit.
- How will I know what my deadlines are?
- When you order programs you’ll be given a set of due dates for various phases of the process: submitting all the text and images, approving final proofs, etc. Missed deadlines may cause late delivery or rush charges and we don’t want that to happen any more than you do.
- Will United Stages remind me as deadline dates approach?
- Yes.
Fees & Payment
- Do I have to pay a set-up fee for programs?
- No. There is no separate set-up fee.
- How do I pay for my programs?
- By check or money order paid to UNITED STAGES INC., and mailed or hand-delivered to United Stages, 4712 48th Street, Second floor, Woodside, NY 11377.
- Why are program rates so inexpensive?
- We subsidize your playbills through ad sales.
- Why is sales tax added to my invoice? I have a 501(c)(3) company.
- Sales tax is automatically added to each invoice. Subtract the sales tax if you pay using a company check and send up a completed NYS form ST-119.1. The name on your check must match the organization name listed on the ST-119.1 form.
- I have a 501(c)(3) company. Can I pay with a personal check?
- All personal checks MUST include sales tax. To be exempted from sales tax, please send us a company check along with your completed NYS form ST-119.1.
- I am a sponsored member of a tax-exempt arts organization. Do I have to pay sales tax?
- If you or your company is a sponsored member of a tax-exempt arts organization such as Fractured Atlas, who will make payment on your behalf then you may be exempted from sales tax. To qualify, the sponsoring organization must make payment on their business check and send us a completed NYS form ST-119.1.
- Why do I have to pay sales tax if I am a member of The Field?
- We contacted The Field and unfortunately they do not make payments to third parties on behalf of their members. So you will be responsible to pay the sales tax.
Advertising
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- We have merchants who support our production through advertising in our programs. Can we put their ads in our show program?
- Because we subsidize the printing costs through advertising, it will cost you full price to place ads in the programs. This helps us keep your upfront costs so low.
