The Dramatists Legal Defense Fund believes that the advancement of our society relies on the unfettered expression of our words. In that spirit, we are creating The Defender, a database of dramatic works that have been challenged or censored in the United States. This new initiative is intended to serve many purposes.

  1. First, it will help to educate everyone about the subjective and transient standards that have been employed by censor.

  2. The Defender will also serve to highlight the shows that have overcome such challenges to persevere in the face of adversity. In addition, it will be a useful tool for research on the issue of free expression in America.

  3. Finally, it will cast a spotlight on the self-appointed moral watchdogs in our midst, and catalogue the common excuses they use to justify their oppressive activities.

Access The Database


Clicking the link above will open the Defender Database in a new browser window.

Submit a Listing


If you know of a challenged work in your area that is not currently listed in our database, you may submit it to be included in The Defender by filling out the embedded survey below.