10+ years strong: OTL Seat Fillers quietly hooks members up with 2–4 FREE tickets per show - while prices climb everywhere else, we stay the fun, affordable way to enjoy entertainment

OTL Seat Fillers collage: theater imagery, logo, and people celebrating the arts.

10+ years strong: OTL Seat Fillers quietly hooks members up with 2–4 FREE tickets per show - while prices climb everywhere else, we stay the fun, affordable way to enjoy entertainment

OTL Seat Fillers collage: theater imagery, logo, and people celebrating the arts.

Ever wonder what a seat filler is?

Seat fillers get free, surprise tickets (2-4 tickets!) to local shows, concerts, and events.

OTLSeatFillers isn't just about incredible free admission, though.

We also offer exclusive entertainment merchandise, comprehensive local event calendars for everyone, and more ways to experience the arts!

Welcome to OTL Seat Fillers, the home of Applause & Applausewear!

OTL is the place for all things arts & entertainment, including the unique local seat fillers club in the US & London, event calendars, an exclusive Heart The Arts™ collection, up-to-the-minute entertainment feeds in OTL Spotlight, and much more!

A sign with the OTL logo and OTLSeatFillers.com on it.

What is OTL Seat Fillers?

OTL Seat Fillers is a private entertainment club that quietly fills extra seats at live shows. Members in 17 cities receive invitations to theatre, comedy, music, and more with complimentary or exclusive discount tickets, while venues boost their audience without public discounting.


How does an OTL Seat Fillers membership work?

You pick a membership based on where you live, and we send private invitations when our entertainment partners have seats to fill. Preferred cities see more frequent invitations, on-call cities see fewer, but still great value, and every membership is designed to make nights out more affordable and more fun

✨ At OTL Seat Fillers, your calendar goes from “meh” to “YES!” faster than you can say “intermission.” One day, you're plan-free. The next? You're slipping into a new play, comedy night, or live music gig, thanks to a surprise invite in your inbox!

Smiling audience members enjoying a live show, representing OTL Seat Fillers' 'Enjoy Entertainment' section.
Collage featuring Heart The Arts™ merch from the Applausewear collection, including a cap, t-shirts, and mug, with models of all ages wearing the products.
Marketing-themed image with chalkboard signs reading 'Who is your audience?' promoting the Offer Entertainment – Event Promoters Hub for event marketing, seat filler requests, and event calendar submissions on OTL Seat Fillers
Outdoor festival scene with illuminated tents, promoting Find Entertainment – Event Calendars on OTL Seat Fillers. Features US & UK event listings powered by Evvnt.
Musician performing on stage with an electric guitar, representing OTL Spotlight's 'Follow Entertainment' section.
Gift boxes wrapped in gold ribbon, representing the 'Share Entertainment' section for Seat Filler Gifts

Reviews & Testimonials

"My wife and I love being seat fillers! We get out of the house so much more and it's so cool to be able to reserve free tickets to such great shows that we might not have attended without OTL!"

C.R., Atlanta Seat Filler

"It takes a little patience because shows aren't always available in your city. But when they are, just one event can pay for an entire year of membership."

S.C., Miami Seat Filler

"I love working with OTL. The ticket process is easy and the audiences they send our way keep coming back. They are a valuable part of the arts community in Austin."

Austin Entertainment Partner

Because we can't publicize our list of partners to avoid impacting their regular ticket sales, the only people who know about OTL are actual members. Check out more of their reviews and testimonials...

Latest Blog Posts

The Nutcracker, The Nutcracker Ballet, what's the Nutcracker about

The Nutcracker Unwrapped

If You've Never Experienced It, The Nutcracker Unwrapped is for You by Celeste González, Contributing Writer Originally published 11/24/23; updated 12/13/25 The holiday season always introduces a wonderful selection of live theater, opera, and ballet. And, of course, one of ...

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Hanukkah 2025: Things To Do, Eat, and Give

Hanukkah 2025: Things To Do, Eat, and Give by Lu, OTL Seat Fillers Last year, I wrote a post about Hanukkah 2024, marking the start of a new OTL tradition. So, here are some fresh (and refreshed) ideas for a ...

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Assorted Christmas cocktails on a table with film reels and a spotlight in the background.

Stage & Screen Sips: 10 Christmas Cocktails Inspired by Shows

Stage & Screen Sips: 10 Christmas Cocktails Inspired by Shows by Lu, OTL Seat Fillers I can't believe it's taken me more than 10 years to create a "Christmas cocktails inspired by shows" blog post! It combines two of my ...

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gifts for theater lovers, theater lovers gifts

10 Fantastic Gifts for Theater Lovers

You're Going To Love These Gifts for Theater Lovers by Celeste González, Contributing Writer Original post: November 4, 2023 Updated: November 13, 2025 Looking for the best gifts for that play aficionado or Broadway fanatic? Well, look no further than ...

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Frequently Asked Questions About OTL Seat Fillers

Short and sweet—because you’ve got shows to catch.

What is OTL Seat Fillers?

A private membership (not a ticket broker) that sends members surprise invitations to complimentary tickets. Partner names stay private.

How much does it cost?

Plans start at $3.65/month (US) and £3.65/month (London). Busier “Local” cities average about $11.99/month for two seats. Dues cover your tickets; cancel anytime.

Is OTL in my city?

Local cities: Atlanta, Austin, Denver–Boulder, Los Angeles, NYC area, San Francisco, and London. On-Call (lighter volume): Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Nashville, Portland (OR), Raleigh–Durham, Seattle, St. Louis, South Florida, and Tampa Bay.

What kinds of shows do members attend?

Plays, musicals, comedy, and music—plus occasional dance, opera, symphony, festivals, immersive experiences, classes, and more.

How do promoters request seat fillers?

It’s free and private. Use our quick event submission form or email us—no public partner lists, ever.

Why do venues offer free tickets?

To fill seats, boost concessions, and build word-of-mouth—while staying private so regular public sales aren’t impacted.

How are tickets distributed?

You reserve online; we send the will-call list to the venue; you pick up tickets at the box office before showtime.

Is seat filling family-friendly?

Depends on the show—listings include age guidance. A 4-seat plan is available. Extra guests beyond your comp allotment buy regular tickets.

What’s the NYC pilot?

The Great 2025 NYC Seat Fillers Experiment: $12.99 total for a 2-seat membership through Dec 31, 2025—no auto-renewals. Expect more comedy, music, and Off-Broadway gems. Join the NYC pilot.

Anything else I should know?

Invitations vary by city and season. The surprise is part of the fun—and even one invite can more than offset dues.

Gift Ideas