I provide performance rights to my scripts to groups or individuals who are outside of my immediate performance area. My rule of thumb is if you are located outside of a 100 mile radius of Fort Walton Beach, Florda, you qualify, although I do reserve the right to refuse to furnish a script to any individual/performance group based on location. So if you qualify and are looking for scripts for your performance group, you've come to the right place. My shows have been successfully performed around the country and world, and used by fundraising groups, church groups, youth groups, schools (from middle school to college age), amateur and professional theater groups, and have also been performed to sold-out audiences in Northwest Florida by my performance group, Act4Murder. All plays are available for performance for a small royalty fee. They are fun shows with simple prop, costume and set requirements, and make it possible for anyone to put on a successful and memorable murder mystery event!

Read on to find the answers to all of your Frequently Asked Questions!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much does it cost to use one of your scripts?
What am I buying?
Is this like the murder mystery game you can buy?
How long are the plays?
How many acts or scenes are in each play?
What else do I get besides the play?
Why do you refuse scripts to groups based on location?
Can you describe the timing of a performance?
Do you have any plays that do not include murder?
Are the plays suitable for children?
Do you have any plays for children to perform?
Are the plays suitable for all audiences?
How many actors do I need?
Must I use professional actors?
Can an amateur group perform these shows?
Can I combine a murder mystery with a silent auction?
Where are the shows supposed to be performed?
What types of groups have performed your shows?
Is a meal supposed to be served during the performance?
Can a show be performed without a meal?
Have any of your shows been performed on a stage?
How many courses need to be served during the performance?
What happens between scenes?
Are the shows scripted or is it mostly improvisation?
How do I pay?
What happens after I pay?
What if I have questions about my particular performance?
Can you help with special props that may be needed?
Can I read a brief description of each show?
I have other questions that need to be answered!

How much does it cost?

The performance royalty fee is $50 per performance, which can be mailed with the signed contract or paid for online. Once the payment is received, you will be emailed the entire play and associated handouts. For multiple performances, remaining payments must be sent or paid online within fourteen days. Back to FAQ's

What am I buying?

You are buying the right to perform a play written by me, Paula Hilton. You are also buying the right to make the necessary number of copies of the specified play needed for your performance, to make copies of the handouts that go along with the play, and to make any changes to the script that you deem necessary to enhance your particular performance. Prior approval is not required to make the changes, but you must sign the contract and make payment before doing so. Back to FAQ's

Is this like the murder mystery game you can buy?

No. It is not anything like the murder mystery game you can buy where you tell your guests ahead of time what character they will be playing, and they arrive in costume and basically read stuff out loud and "find" clues to figure out "who dunnit." This is an event where your guests watch, listen, laugh and try to solve (as teams), while performers put on the show for them. Back to FAQ's

How long are the plays?

The plays are 30 - 40 pages in length, and if performed alone (without a meal) would take 1 to 1 1/2 hours to perform. With a cash bar and a 3-course meal, the evening takes about 3 hours from start to finish. For my productions, seating is generally from 6:15 until 7:00, the dinner and show begins at 7:00, then we are finished between 9 and 9:30. Back to FAQ's

How many acts or scenes are in each play?

Four. We are Act4Murder, get it? Back to FAQ's

What else do I get besides the play?

Each play comes with a README file explaining when each handout is to be distributed, a prop list, handouts containing written clues, the solution sheet to enable your teams to solve the crime, and an answer sheet. Back to FAQ's

Why do you refuse scripts to groups based on location?

My own performance troupe, Act4Murder, routinely performs in Destin, Niceville, DeFuniak Springs, Crestview, Panama City Beach and Pensacola, and has traveled as far away as Montgomery and Tallahassee to put on a show. I don't want my troupe competing with anyone else to perform shows I have written. You can write your own, find another source, or hire us for your performance needs! Back to FAQ's

Can you describe the timing of a performance?

After the guests arrive, the actors mingle, in character, for 15 to 30 minutes. At the designated time, the actors perform the first scene. At the completion of this scene, the restaurant staff serves the salads. When all the salads have been served, the actors re-enter and perform the second scene. At the completion of the scene, the staff clears the salad plates and serves the entrees. When all entrees have been served, the actors re-enter and perform the third scene. At the completion of the scene, the staff clears the entree dishes and serves the desserts. At this time a solution sheet is given to each table, to be solved as a team. They are given 10 minutes to fill out the sheets (but usually take 20). When all the sheets have been collected and graded, the actors re-enter and perform the final scene. At the completion of the scene, the Stage Manager makes introductions of the actors, and announces the winning table. The evening takes 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Back to FAQ's

Do you have any plays that do not include murder?

Yes I do, but I won't tell you which one it is on this site. Send me an email if this is something you're interested in. Back to FAQ's

Are the plays suitable for children?

The plays contain adult themes. Everything is presented in a comedic style, but in addition to murder, there is often adultery as a sub-plot. NONE of my plays contain any drug or gang-related material, nor is there any "bad" language included in the dialog, but in general, my plays are written for adult entertainment. Back to FAQ's

Do you have any plays for children to perform?

No, nothing specifically for children to perform. But several of my plays have been performed by school-age children. PEACE, LOVE... AND MURDER, for example, is a play about a group of hippies spreading their message of peace and love, along with their own Tranquility Vitamins. Kids all over the world have enjoyed dressing up like hippies and performing this play. They've also enjoyed performing my "mobster-themed" shows, and my sock hop - dressing up is always a favorite with kids. You would need to look at the perusal copies of my available shows and decide what is appropriate for your specific group. Back to FAQ's

Are the plays suitable for all audiences?

Yes. The plays do contain adult themes, including adultery as a sub-plot in some, and there is usually sexual innuendo included in the dialog. But you are given the right to make any changes to the script that you deem necessary for the success of your production, so anything that could be offensive to your particular group can easily be toned down. Be sure to check with me if further guidance is needed in selecting a play for your group. Back to FAQ's

How many actors do I need?

My shows have between 5 and 7 actors. In addition, you will need a stage manager for your performance night. Some shows require "volunteers" to assume small parts or participate in activities that are part of the show. Read the show descriptions for more details. Back to FAQ's

Must I use professional actors?

No. Hundreds of groups around the world have performed my shows using people with little or no experience. Some shows are easier then others, and I'll be happy to give you a recommendation if you need more guidance. Back to FAQ's

Can an amateur group perform these shows?

Yes. Hundreds of amateur groups around the world have performed my shows, including school-age children, community theater groups, fundraising groups, and members of churches and other specific organizations. Back to FAQ's

Can I combine a murder mystery with a silent auction?

Yes. The silent auction items can be set up prior to the show then bid on during the "cash bar" portion of the evening and during the breaks. One of the actors makes announcements throughout the evening as to when the silent auction is ending. Act4Murder has successfully helped raise thousands of dollars for various groups by coupling the show with a silent auction. Back to FAQ's

Where are the shows supposed to be performed?

Anywhere you can serve a meal. My shows have been successfully performed in a variety of locations, including restaurants, cafeterias, auditoriums, church meeting rooms, banquet facilities, conference centers, convention centers, even private homes! Back to FAQ's

What types of groups have performed your shows?

My shows have been performed by school-age children (middle-school, high school and college), fundraising groups (YMCA, libraries, churches), theater groups (both amateur and professional), and people wanting to do something special for an anniversary or birthday party. Back to FAQ's

Is a meal supposed to be served during the performance?

Yes. My shows are all written to be performed during a 3-course meal consisting of a salad, entree and dessert, but we can also work with a buffet type meal. Back to FAQ's

Can a show be performed without a meal?

Yes. But the length will be substantially less then a full-length play, scenes would need to be combined, and some dialog changes would need to be made. Back to FAQ's

Have any of your shows ever been performed on a stage?

Yes. My performance group successfully performed TOP O' THE MURDER TO YOU in 2010 at the University of West Florida in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. I combined scenes 1 and 2, added a 15 minute intermission, had them perform scene 3, then had the actors (in character) stand on the stage and answer questions from the audience before moving on to scene 4. It went very smoothly and the audience enjoyed the "meal-less" performance. Back to FAQ's

How many courses need to be served during the performance?

Three courses should be served: a salad, entree and dessert, but we have successfully performed when a buffet is served. Back to FAQ's

What happens between scenes?

Throughout the evening, handouts and clues are distributed between scenes to help the guest figure out WHO DUNNIT! These will be provided to you should you decide to use the show. Back to FAQ's

Are the shows scripted or is it mostly improvisation?

My shows are all fully scripted with little or no improvisation. Back to FAQ's

How do I pay?

You can pay by sending a check with the signed contract, or you can pay online. If you wish to pay by mail, CLICK HERE to open and view the contract. If you decide you do want a show, you must print, sign and return to me with payment for one show. If you wish to pay online, CLICK HERE to view and agree to the terms, then select the BUY NOW button on that page. For multiple performances, full payment is due within 14 days of production and can also be done either by sending the check through the mail, or CLICK HERE to pay online. Back to FAQ's

What happens after I pay?

As soon as the payment is received, I will email the selected play to you along with all the associated handouts, instructions, solution sheets, answer sheet and any other printed material needed for the show. All files are in PDF format and easy to download, open, read and print. Back to FAQ's

What if I have questions about my particular performance?

If you have any questions at all, need advice or just want to bounce ideas off of me, I'm only an e-mail away! I will promptly answer any questions and gladly give you advice. And because I have personally produced every show listed, I can tell you how I handle specific issues in each show. Back to FAQ's

Can you help with special props that may be needed?

Yes. Most of my shows have optional props that are easily assembled. A stretcher, for example, is used in most of my shows, but if you don't have a stretcher or access to a stretcher, you simply have your actor "die" in a chair or on the floor, then use your other actors or audience volunteers to remove the body. For some shows, special tables or bars are handy, but if you don't have them, you can just use what's there. And in MURDER AT THE MONSTER BASH, an optional coffin is a cool prop that we use in my productions, and can also be ordered. CLICK HERE to read more about how to order a coffin for your production of this fun show! Back to FAQ's

Can I read a brief description and/or perusal copy of each show?

Yes. CLICK HEREto read a brief description of each play, including the number of characters in each. Back to FAQ's

I have other questions that need to be answered!

Please contact me at any time, I'll be happy to answer any and all questions! Back to FAQ's