Image via CrunchBase

When I was searching around the web for something I knew I’d seen somewhere, I came across a clip of my The Love of Three Oranges from a recent production on YouTube. Then I found another. And another.

I watched as many as I could and here’s what I have to say:

First off, you guys are awesome. I am hugely appreciative of the fandom around Three Oranges and the enthusiasm that you threw into your productions.

Secondly, I got the biggest thrill out of reading the comments. The comments on YouTube are usually pretty horrifying but the comments on the videos from Three Oranges made me smile again and again. They were all things like, “This is the best show ever!” “I was [name of character] in a production last year :-)” and “We’re going to do this show this fall, I’m so excited!” I almost always get to talk to the teachers and directors of the productions but I so rarely get to talk to the actual students and actors that this was a total thrill for me to see all of you talking about the play in the wild, as it were.

The other thing that I loved seeing was the people defending what I wrote over changes made in the individual productions. “That line’s not in the script!” “Why didn’t you do the part where…?” Not because I feel that what I wrote is all that perfect, I like to see productions put their own spin on it, but because I loved the fact that so many of you are familiar enough with what I wrote that you feel enough of a connection to it to randomly defend it online. I can’t tell you how much that means to me, that you feel such a connection to these characters and scenes. You rule.

I cannot stress enough how much I love you guys. But now I have to be a total downer.

Here’s the thing: It’s in violation of the performance agreement productions sign with Playscripts to take a video of the production and post it online. I don’t make the rules, I’m just telling you what’s what. You’re not even supposed to make a video of the production at all other than a single archival copy even though I know no one ever follows that. So, by posting the video, you can get your school in trouble and also get your YouTube account suspended (if Playscripts notices the videos and reports you to YouTube). You’ll notice I’m not linking to any videos in this post. That’s because I don’t want to get anyone in trouble but if I was able to find the video easily, they will be able to as well.

I realize you probably had no idea. Your director signed the agreement and probably never even told you what was in it. I know exactly what that’s like, I was in plays in school as well, which is why I’m writing this post to give you a heads up.

Believe me, I know your intentions are pure. I just don’t want you to get in trouble on my behalf.