Are electronic signatures legally binding under ESIGN and UETA?

Yes. Electronic signatures are recognized under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes where adopted. To ensure enforceability, demonstrate intent, consent, signer attribution, and reliable record retention.

Under what circumstances is notarization required for this contract?

Notarization is rarely required for private choreography contracts. Some venues, lenders, or licensing arrangements may request notarized signatures or RON; verify state notary rules and contract-specific requirements before obtaining notarization.

Can I assign choreographic copyright and performance rights in this agreement?

Yes if the agreement contains a clear assignment clause. Without explicit assignment or license the choreographer typically retains copyright. Use precise language on scope, territory, duration, and reserved rights to avoid ambiguity.

What are the consequences if a signer lacks legal signing authority?

Signatures by unauthorized persons can render the contract voidable. Confirm signatory authority, require printed names and titles, and when necessary request a corporate resolution or power of attorney to evidence authority.

What is the correct process to amend or modify the agreement?

Amendments should be written, signed by all parties, and reference the original agreement and effective date of the change. Avoid oral modifications unless the contract explicitly permits them, and keep a signed addendum on file.

How may a party revoke, cancel, or terminate this agreement?

Follow the agreement's termination clause, provide required notices and cure periods in writing, and preserve audit trails of communications. If signed electronically, retain e-sign audit logs to document proper notice and consent procedures.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Performance Choreography Agreement

Performance Choreography Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

PERFORMANCE CHOREOGRAPHY AGREEMENT

This Performance Choreography Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into as of by and between:

Choreographer Name: Address:

Producer Name: Address:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Producer engages the Choreographer to create choreographic works to be performed in connection with the production described in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Choreographer represents that the Choreographer has the skill, experience and ability to perform such services and agrees to provide those services on the terms set forth below.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Choreographer shall create, develop and teach original choreography for the production. Services include planning, rehearsals, staging, notation or video documentation of choreography, and attendance at scheduled performances as required by the Producer. The specific deliverables, schedule, and milestones are described below.

Describe Scope of Work and Deliverables Rehearsal Schedule and Required Attendance Performance Dates (list all scheduled performance dates)

PAYMENT TERMS

In consideration for the Choreographer's services, Producer will pay the Choreographer the compensation set forth below. Payment is contingent upon satisfactory performance of the Services and submission of any required invoices.

Total Fee Payment Schedule (deposit, milestones, final) Deposit Amount (if any) Balance Due Date

Late payments shall incur a late fee equal to of the overdue amount, plus any collection costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the Choreographer in collecting overdue sums.

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement commences on and continues until unless earlier terminated as provided herein.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach by the other party upon days' written notice if the breaching party fails to cure the breach within such period. Producer may terminate for convenience upon written notice and payment for services rendered and documented expenses through the effective date of termination.

OWNERSHIP, LICENSE, AND CREDIT

The parties acknowledge the following selection regarding ownership and license of the choreography (select one):

Choreography shall be deemed a "work made for hire" and Producer shall be the sole author and owner of all rights in the choreography, including copyright, worldwide and in perpetuity.

Choreography is not a work made for hire. Choreographer retains copyright and hereby grants Producer an exclusive, irrevocable, worldwide license to use, reproduce, perform, adapt, and display the choreography solely in connection with the production described in this Agreement and any related marketing and archival uses, subject to the payment and credit provisions below.

Credit: Producer shall provide choreographer credit in printed and electronic programs, advertising, and promotional materials where credits are customarily listed. The form and placement of such credit shall be reasonable and customary for the production.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The parties acknowledge that the choreography, production concepts, rehearsal materials, and any non-public information disclosed by either party constitute Confidential Information. Each party shall hold Confidential Information in strict confidence, shall not use it except to perform its obligations under this Agreement, and shall not disclose it to third parties without prior written consent, except as required by law. Confidentiality obligations survive termination for a period of three (3) years.

Describe any specific confidential information or exclusions

INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

Each party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other party from any claims, liabilities, losses or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from the indemnifying party's breach of this Agreement, negligence, willful misconduct, or violation of law. Producer shall maintain general liability insurance covering the production; Choreographer shall maintain appropriate liability coverage for rehearsal and performance activities as applicable.

Insurance requirements (if any)

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

The parties agree the Choreographer is an independent contractor and not an employee, agent or partner of the Producer. The Choreographer is solely responsible for all federal, state and local taxes and withholdings relating to fees paid under this Agreement.

FORCE MAJEURE

Neither party shall be liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from causes beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, labor disputes, government orders, epidemics or other unforeseeable events. The affected party shall notify the other promptly and use reasonable efforts to mitigate the impact of such events.

GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of without regard to conflict of laws principles. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral. Any amendment or modification must be in writing and signed by both parties.

NOTICES

All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth below by hand, overnight courier, or certified mail.

Choreographer Notice Address Producer Notice Address

MISCELLANEOUS

If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be severed and the remainder shall continue in full force and effect. The waiver of any breach shall not constitute a waiver of subsequent breaches.

Additional Provisions

Choreographer:

By:

Date:

Producer:

By:

Date:

What a Performance Choreography Agreement Covers

Performance Choreography Agreement is a written contract that defines roles, responsibilities, ownership, and compensation for choreography created for a performance. It sets the scope of services, delivery milestones, rehearsal schedules, credit and attribution, licensing of choreography, and payment terms including fees, royalties, and expense reimbursements. The agreement also addresses intellectual property assignment or license back to the producer, approval rights, and termination conditions. Use clear definitions and exhibit references for music, staging, and delivery formats to avoid disputes over creative control and reuse.

Why this agreement matters to creators and producers

Use a Performance Choreography Agreement to protect creators and producers by clarifying ownership, payment, and reuse rights. It reduces the risk of creative disputes, ensures timely deliverables, and documents approval processes and crediting, which supports clear production workflows and legal enforceability.

Who commonly uses a Performance Choreography Agreement

Professionals and organizations that typically use this agreement include choreographers, dance companies, theater producers, educational institutions, and casting directors.

Independent choreographers creating work for hire or licensing performances to producers
Theater and film producers securing clear rights and credit terms for choreography
Educational programs and festivals that commission or showcase choreographic works

Use the agreement to align expectations among parties and to provide a clear record for licensing, royalties, and future reuse negotiations.

Representative signatory roles and how they use the agreement

Choreographer

A professional choreographer uses this agreement to define ownership of choreography, set payment schedules, and preserve moral rights. It helps document rehearsal obligations, crediting, and permitted future uses, including touring, film adaptations, and derivative works.

Producer

A producer or company uses the agreement to secure exclusive or licensed rights, establish deliverables and timelines, allocate rehearsal and strike responsibilities, and set indemnity and insurance requirements to manage production risk and ensure lawful public performance or commercial exploitation.

Security and compliance considerations for signed agreements

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest

Certifications: ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, PCI DSS

HIPAA: BAA available for covered entities

ESIGN / UETA: Compliant with ESIGN and UETA

21 CFR Part 11: Supports FDA-regulated electronic records

Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliant

Key legal and operational risks to avoid

Ownership Disputes: Unclear IP assignment increases litigation risk

Payment Disputes: Missing fee terms cause delayed collections

Unauthorized Use: Improper licensing leads to infringement claims

Invalid Signatures: Missing consent or improper signature method

Credit Misattribution: Incorrect credits harm reputation and royalties

Production Delays: Undefined milestones delay rehearsals and opening

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

Failing to define whether choreography is work-for-hire or licensed, leaving ownership ambiguous and creating downstream licensing disputes.
Not specifying credit and billing schedules, which leads to missed payments, confusion over royalties, and tension between creative parties.
Omitting detailed rehearsal, rehearsal location, or strike obligations can cause logistical conflicts during production and added expense.
Using vague indemnity or insurance clauses that fail to allocate risk clearly between choreographer and producer.

Step-by-step: complete the Performance Choreography Agreement

Follow these steps to complete a Performance Choreography Agreement accurately and consistently for stage or screen productions.

01

Identify Parties: List full legal names and contact information for all parties.
02

Define Scope: Describe choreography deliverables, timelines, and rehearsal schedule in detail.
03

IP Terms: Specify ownership, assignments, and licensing conditions for the choreography.
04

Sign & Date: All parties should sign, date, and initial as required.

Where signed copies typically go after execution

Typical routing for the signed agreement organizes distribution to the choreographer, producer, legal counsel, and archival storage.

To Choreographer: Provide a signed copy for performance records and future licensing.
To Producer: Retain an executed copy for accounting and production files.
Legal Counsel: Send to counsel for review and dispute prevention.
Archive: Store the final agreement in secure records, digital and physical.

Digital signing and platform requirements

Digital execution requires a platform that supports fillable fields, eSignatures, and secure record storage and audit trails.

File Types: PDF, DOCX, and editable templates
Integrations: Connects with Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
Authentication: Email, SMS code, and optional KBA

Set up a digital signing workflow for this agreement

Configure a digital workflow to collect signatures, add fields, and route the agreement for approval.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Sequential or parallel signing with role assignment
Authentication	Choose email link, SMS code, or KBA verification
Notifications	Enable automatic reminders and completion alerts
Storage	Encrypted cloud storage with exportable audit trail

How this agreement differs from a work-for-hire contract

Compare the typical Performance Choreography Agreement with a work-for-hire contract to select the correct IP and payment structure.

Criteria	Performance Choreography Agreement	Work-for-Hire Contract
IP ownership	licensed or joint	assigned to employer
Credit	contracted credit	varies by employer
Reuse Rights	controlled reuse	employer reuse allowed
Payment Structure	fee, royalties, or split	salary or single fee

eSignature pricing snapshot for executing choreography agreements

Pricing and feature snapshot across popular eSignature platforms for handling the Performance Choreography Agreement signing workflows.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Free trial available	Free trial available
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Practical tips for accurate, efficient completion

Follow these best practices to reduce negotiation time, protect rights, and limit post-execution disputes.

Use clear IP language

Define whether choreography is assigned, licensed, or jointly owned; include precise definitions for 'choreography', 'derivative works', and permitted formats to prevent ambiguity and future disputes over reuse, adaptation, or recording rights.

Detail payment terms and schedule

Specify total compensation, milestone payments, invoicing requirements, late fees, and expense reimbursement. Tie payments to deliverables and include remedies for missed deadlines to minimize disputes and preserve production cash flow.

Include rehearsal and delivery clauses

List rehearsal dates, call times, location responsibilities, and criteria for final acceptance. Stipulate who provides rehearsal space, accompanists, and lighting cues, and address rescheduling and force majeure scenarios.

Document signatory authority

Confirm that each signer has legal authority to bind their organization, include printed names and titles, and attach corporate resolution or power of attorney when necessary to avoid enforceability challenges.

Practical examples showing how agreements are used

Two illustrative scenarios show common drafting choices and how they reduce post-production disputes.

Regional Theater Production

A regional theater commissions a choreographer for a six-week run and needs clear reuse and credit terms.

Single-season performance license, no touring.
The agreement defined payment milestones tied to rehearsals, established credit placement in programs and promotional materials, and reserved touring rights for separate negotiation, reducing post-run disputes and clarifying royalty obligations for any filmed excerpts.

University Dance Showcase

A university dance program commissions choreography for an annual showcase and needs student usage and recording permissions.

Academic license with restricted recording consent.
The contract required parental consent forms for minors, specified rights to record for educational use only, and limited public broadcast, protecting students' rights while allowing archival recordings for curriculum review and accreditation.

Key dates and deadlines to include

Include these key dates and deadlines to align production schedules and payment milestones in a Performance Choreography Agreement.

Effective Date:

Date when obligations commence; use MM/DD/YYYY format.

Delivery Milestones:

Dates for choreography drafts, revisions, and final delivery.

Rehearsal Schedule:

Start, end, and blackout dates for rehearsals and technical runs.

Final Acceptance:

Date for producer approval or corrective actions.

Payment Dates:

Invoice dates, milestone payments, and final settlement date.

Frequently asked questions about Performance Choreography Agreements

[INTRO] Practical answers to common legal, technical, and administrative questions about Performance Choreography Agreements.

Need help? Contact support

Are electronic signatures legally binding under ESIGN and UETA?
Yes. Electronic signatures are recognized under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes where adopted. To ensure enforceability, demonstrate intent, consent, signer attribution, and reliable record retention.
Under what circumstances is notarization required for this contract?
Notarization is rarely required for private choreography contracts. Some venues, lenders, or licensing arrangements may request notarized signatures or RON; verify state notary rules and contract-specific requirements before obtaining notarization.
Can I assign choreographic copyright and performance rights in this agreement?
Yes if the agreement contains a clear assignment clause. Without explicit assignment or license the choreographer typically retains copyright. Use precise language on scope, territory, duration, and reserved rights to avoid ambiguity.
What are the consequences if a signer lacks legal signing authority?
Signatures by unauthorized persons can render the contract voidable. Confirm signatory authority, require printed names and titles, and when necessary request a corporate resolution or power of attorney to evidence authority.
What is the correct process to amend or modify the agreement?
Amendments should be written, signed by all parties, and reference the original agreement and effective date of the change. Avoid oral modifications unless the contract explicitly permits them, and keep a signed addendum on file.
How may a party revoke, cancel, or terminate this agreement?
Follow the agreement's termination clause, provide required notices and cure periods in writing, and preserve audit trails of communications. If signed electronically, retain e-sign audit logs to document proper notice and consent procedures.

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