How to See Atlanta Shows for Free (and Treat Your Guests, Too!)

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This is breaking news for most Atlantans, but seat fillers are invited to fantastic local shows and events, and they never pay for a single ticket. That’s because they’re part of OTL Seat Fillers, a local seat filling club.

It’s a new concept for many people, so they’re not Googling “seat fillers in Atlanta.” But, if they did, they’d end up at OTL (aka On the List).

A Spin-off on Award Show Seat Fillers

Traditionally, seat fillers = awards shows (or big star-studded events.) The idea was originally designed for television, as seat fillers step in or, more accurately, sit down when a celeb has to get up to accept an award or do some interviews. Award show seat fillers eliminate open seats, which aren’t ideal for the cameras.

You live in the Atlanta area, though, so you know that you’re not receiving invites to the local Grammys, Emmys, or Academy Awards. However, you’re surrounded by all kinds of incredible top-notch entertainment and activities. And, you might only be aware of about 10% of what’s happening in your hometown.

That’s where OTL comes into play.

Local Seat Filling in Atlanta

OTL is now in its 8th year in Georgia, partnering with and supporting the local arts and entertainment community, expanding to sports and activities as well.

In a nutshell, local seat fillers don’t fill seats for someone else. They fill seats, period. OTL seat fillers and their guests receive complimentary tickets but are treated just like every other paying patron.

Q & A

Even though local seat filling has been around for a few years, it’s still new to most. So we thought we’d do a little Q & A with Mark Fineman from OTL to give you a better idea of how it works and who participates. Along with his grandson, Kalem, Mark handles the bulk of OTL’s event partnerships and member services.

Q: The term “seat fillers” is usually associated with awards shows. Is that the inspiration for OTL Seat Fillers?

A: Actually, inspiration for OTL came from Las Vegas seat filling organizations. Our family lives in Vegas, and OTL is a family and friend-run club. We started as an affiliate of one of the area seat fillers but soon found out that there’s only one Sin City with events that run nightly and for months or years at a time. So, we had to venture off on our own and adapt the concept.

We focus on smaller venues and a wider variety of offerings. But, our events come and go quickly, as Atlanta doesn’t have a Las Vegas strip filled with showrooms. Oh, and ironically, Las Vegas is one of the few places where we don’t have an OTL presence.

Q: So, what is your 10-second elevator pitch for OTL?

A: OTL is a seat fillers club and not a ticket broker. Our members pay very low monthly dues for the opportunity to reserve free pairs of tickets to shows and events, like plays, musicals, comedy shows, etc. It’s a club for people who love live entertainment but aren’t looking to shop for just one night. Part of the fun is the anticipation of something new out of the blue and knowing you can attend without paying for tickets that might be $25, $50, or even more.

Q: What kind of shows do seat fillers attend?

A: I’d have to say that OTL members see more plays and musicals than anything else. However, pretty much anything goes. Over the past years, we’ve had comedy shows, small concerts, sporting events, burlesque, festivals, and the list goes on.

Q: Where do the tickets come from, and are they always free?

A: As a partner of the Atlanta arts and entertainment (and sports) community, we have a variety of venues that extend invitations to OTL in the city and throughout the suburbs. We continuously reach out and add to our partner list. And, yes, the tickets offered to seat fillers are complimentary, but they’re not free events – tickets must have a value associated.

Q: Why would venues give OTL free tickets?

A: There are different reasons why venues and organizations partner with OTL and provide free admission for members. Some need seats filled and appreciate the additional food and beverage income that comes with a larger audience. Comedy clubs are ideal partners, as larger crowds are better for everyone. Festivals might have endless space and appreciate the opportunity to showcase their event to new patrons.

But one of the top reasons the OTL concept works is a little policy called “privacy to shows.” OTL doesn’t publicize the names of its entertainment partners so that their regular ticket sales aren’t impacted. It’s free marketing and a win-win for everyone!

Q: How does the process work? Where are the tickets distributed?

A: It’s a simple process, as we never handle any tickets. Our partners tell us how many comps they want to offer to OTL members. We set up an event posting in the private members-only area, covering everything from pick-up times to age limits, suggested attire, and the actual ticket value you’d pay if you weren’t a seat filler with VIP free ticket status. (It makes you feel good to see those savings rack up along the way!)

Anyone interested in attending makes a reservation through us, and our system generates a will-call list for the venue. Then, tickets are distributed at the box office or other designated location right before showtime. There are no coupons involved or anything like that, and no one else knows that seat fillers are seat fillers.

Q: What do members pay to be a part of the club?

A: There are a few different membership plans for Atlanta seat fillers (two or four seats, discounts for military, etc.). But monthly dues average $12.99 a month, and that covers everything, including tickets for guests. Seat Fillers never pay extra for admission, and there’s no commitment. They can cancel anytime.

Q: It sounds like a great deal. Is there a downside for seat fillers?

A: OTL is perfect for people who love live entertainment and are willing to be patient for something to come up that they want to attend, but it’s not for everyone. We’ve had some people join, look at the list, and then immediately quit because they didn’t see something they liked that day.

We always stress that OTL isn’t a ticket broker. Part of the fun is seeing what pops up. We send show alerts out when something new comes in, and it’s pretty exciting to get that email and know that you could have $100 in tickets for this weekend without pulling out your credit card. Besides, one big event could more than pay for six months of dues. And Atlanta happens to be one of the best seat filling cities in the US!

I also need to mention that there are a few membership rules. For example, if a member reserves tickets, they have to attend the event. Our partners provide comps in exchange for those seats being filled.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about OTL Seat Fillers?

A: I could go on and on, as our family and friends are really proud of what we’ve built. We never stop looking for new opportunities and ways to expand the concept for both our partners and members. But there are a few things that we didn’t discuss yet.

1. OTL Seat Fillers is one club covering the US and London. We have ten preferred US cities, including Atlanta, and the rest are on-call locations. Regardless of home base, members see shows listed everywhere and can take advantage of tickets “on the road.” So, if an Atlanta member travels to Tampa, for example, they can use their seat filling privileges there as well.
2. No money or tickets are exchanged between OTL and our partners. It’s a private, free, and easy-to-use service, and we have a handy event promoters page on OTLSeatFillers.com.
3. We try to create a positive escape from daily to-do’s and encourage people to unplug and occupy more entertaining seats. We’ve also got the OTL City Guides with other things to do and things to learn. Plus, we recently partnered with Evvnt to provide a free ticket sales portal for event promoters. They can take advantage of modern touchless ticketing in addition to private seat filling.

Q: So, how can Atlantans become local seat fillers?

A: Registration on OTLSeatFillers.com takes about five minutes, and they’re off and running with a username and password. We even have a dedicated page for Patch readers with a special discount for new members.

Oh, and one more thing – we love expanding our membership and look forward to new members and partners throughout 2022 and beyond! We have a contact page on our site, and I’m happy to answer individual questions.

More About Seat Fillers and Seat Filling

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