More Than a Catalog. The Family Story Behind TLC Scripts.
In the world of theatre licensing, it is easy to feel like just another account number. Many large houses are corporate entities where scripts are treated as inventory and contracts are handled by departments you will never speak to. At TLC Scripts, we do things differently. We are family owned and operated, and our story is built into every script we license.
The Origin of a Creative Partnership.
TLC Scripts began with a contrast of disciplines. Judie Sapperstein came from the heart of the theatre. Starting in 1981, she worked as an actor, director, and producer, learning exactly what happens in a rehearsal room when a script is not working.
Gary Murway, by contrast, came from the world of professional music. He spent decades touring, recording, and arranging in major studios. When they reunited creatively in 2007, they brought two different worlds together. Judie brought the theatrical structure and character depth. Gary brought an instinctive understanding of how music carries emotion and pacing.
This blended voice created work that community theatres could actually mount well, without sacrificing intelligence, humor, or heart.
A Family Workshop with a Purpose.
We function like a family workshop. While Judie and Gary focus on the writing, Tracy stays focused on the producer’s experience. She has spent her career in commercial printing, marketing, and web development since 1989. That background gives her a practical lens that most licensing houses simply do not have.
When you hold a TLC script, you are holding something designed for the “trench work” of theatre. We think about page turns, ink bleed, and readable fonts. We think about the director who is printing twenty scripts on a tight budget. Clarity and economy are not the enemies of artistry. They are the tools that support it.
Raised in the Wings.
Theatre is our family language. Judie and Tracy raised Tracy’s children in the theatre. They grew up knowing the discipline of auditions and the magic of backstage life. Today, that arc is visible in their own careers. Tracy’s son, Evan, is a professional tenor opera singer in Europe. Her daughter, Hannah, is a powerhouse singer and performer.
Seeing their journey from childhood stages to professional careers reinforces our mission. We do not view community theatre as a “lesser” tier. It is the foundation. It is where young performers discover who they are. Because we have seen the end result of a life in performance, we take the responsibility of serving the beginning very seriously.
The Human Side of Licensing.
Being family run means our work is personal. There is no corporate buffer here. When you email us, you are talking to the people who know the scripts, remember past productions, and actually care how your show goes.
Bryan Lesnick, who handles our sales, is a perfect example. He is a theatre educator who has taught musical theatre to Tracy’s own granddaughter. He understands directors because he has been one.
At the end of the day, TLC Scripts exists to serve the work and the people producing it. We are not just a catalog. We are a family of artists dedicated to helping your theatre succeed.