by tracyrenee | Feb 9, 2026 | Producer Tips, Theatre Management
The Ghost in the Budget.
Every producer knows the big numbers. You know the venue rent. You know the insurance. You know the royalty percentage. But there is a ghost in your budget that most people do not see until it is too late. It is the cost of the “Traditional” script model.
When you license from the big houses, the royalty is just the starting line. Then come the “hidden” fees. You pay for script rentals. You pay for shipping and handling. You pay for the “privilege” of returning those scripts by a certain date. If a cast member loses a book or highlights a line they should not have, you pay a damage fee.
The Digital Double Dip.
Even when these companies offer “Digital Materials,” they often charge you a “convenience fee” just to download the files. Think about that. You are paying them for the right to use your own ink and your own paper.
On top of that, you often run into “Technical Support” fees or per-user access fees if you want to share those files with your cast through their proprietary apps. By the time you actually get a script into an actor’s hand, you have paid for the license, the download “convenience,” the paper, and the toner.
At TLC Scripts, we think that is a dinosaur way of doing business.
Digital First is a Budget Lifeline.
We built our model to kill the hidden fees. When you license from us, you get a digital master. There is no shipping. There is no “digital access fee” just to get the files you already paid for. There is no waiting for a box to arrive in the mail. There are no return deadlines.
This does more than just save a few dollars on postage. It gives you back your time. Your actors can have their scripts on their tablets or phones the second the show is cast. You can print only what you need.
Transparency as a Standard.
The theater world is expensive enough. Producers should not have to guess what their final bill will look like. By removing the physical rental model and the “pay-to-download” nonsense, we have removed the friction between finding a great play and actually getting it into the hands of your actors.
If you are planning your next season, look at the fine print of your licensing agreements. If you see “return shipping” or “digital delivery fees,” you are paying for an outdated system. It is time to put that money back onto your stage where it belongs.
by tracyrenee | Feb 4, 2026 | Behind the Scenes, News
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.
by tracyrenee | Jan 26, 2026 | News, Season Planning
Selecting a script for your next theatre season can feel like standing in front of an overflowing buffet. So many choices, so many flavors. But a successful season isn’t just about finding a good play. It is about finding the right play for your audience, your cast, and your budget.
Here is a practical guide to help you cut through the clutter and make a confident choice.
1. Know Your Audience.
Who fills your seats? Are they looking for laugh-out-loud comedies or thought-provoking dramas? Do they prefer family friendly musicals or gritty, realistic plays? Understanding your audience’s preferences is the first step to building a loyal following and selling tickets. Don’t program for yourself, program for them.
2. Assess Your Talent Pool.
Be honest about the actors who typically audition. If you consistently have a strong ensemble of women, consider Female-Forward Plays. If your pool is often smaller, focused, and agile, exploring Small Cast Plays can lead to incredibly powerful productions without the stress of finding 20 actors. Conversely, if you have a vibrant youth program or a deep bench of experienced performers, a Large Cast Production might be perfect.
3. Crunch the Numbers.
Beyond royalties, consider the full production budget. A complex musical will demand more for sets, costumes, and musicians than a simple play. Remember that low cost play scripts can free up funds for other production elements, enhancing the overall audience experience. Our transparent theatre royalties (4% for plays, 6% for musicals) make it easy to budget from day one.
4. Consider Your Venue and Resources.
Does your stage support elaborate sets, or are you working in a more intimate black box space? Do you have access to a full band, or would a show with simpler musical accompaniment be a better fit? The right script works with your resources, not against them.
5. Read, Read, Read.
There is no substitute for reading the script itself. Do not just skim the synopsis. Dive into the dialogue, visualize the staging, and imagine it with your actors. If a script genuinely excites you, that passion will translate to your cast and ultimately to your audience.
Your Next Season Starts Here.
At TLC Scripts, we believe the perfect script is out there waiting for you. By considering these factors, you are not just choosing a play you are building a successful, sustainable future for your community theatre.
by tracyrenee | Jan 26, 2026 | Producer Tips, Theatre Management
Why Small-Cast Plays are the Modern Producer’s Secret Weapon.
In the world of community theatre, “big” isn’t always “better.” While the massive 30 person musical has its place, the savvy producer knows that the real magic and the real profit often happens with a cast of four to eight actors.
Why Small Casts Win.
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Intimate Engagement. Smaller casts allow for deeper character development and a closer connection with the audience. In a 4 person play, every actor is a lead.
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Production Agility. Scheduling rehearsals for five people is a dream compared to thirty. You can work in smaller spaces, move faster, and pivot when “life happens” to a cast member.
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Budget Freedom. Fewer costumes, fewer props, and lower material costs. Combined with our 4% royalty rate, a small-cast show becomes a high-margin win for your theatre’s season.
Not Just “Small,” but “Scaled.”
At TLC Scripts, we specialize in this “sweet spot” of theatre. We aren’t blowing smoke when we say these shows are built for impact. Whether it is a tight 4 person comedy or a sweeping 8 person drama, these scripts are designed to fill your stage without draining your resources.
The TLC Advantage.
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Keep Your Scripts. No matter the cast size, every actor keeps their script. No returns, ever.
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Direct Support. Small-cast shows often require specific staging tweaks. Our playwrights, Judie and Gary, are available to help you make it work for your specific venue.
Ready to see our full list of small-cast shows? [Click here to browse our 4-person and 5-person script catalog.]
by tracyrenee | Jan 24, 2026 | News, Producer Tips
Why We’re Letting You Keep the Scripts
We’ve all been there. The show closes, the cast is exhausted, and instead of celebrating, the stage manager is chasing people down to collect scripts. You spend hours erasing pencil marks, franticly searching for that one lost copy, and then paying a small fortune to ship a box of heavy books back to a warehouse.
At TLC Scripts, we decided that the “old way” of doing things just didn’t make sense for modern theatre.
Why Rentals Are a Relic
For decades, the “Big Three” licensing houses have used the rental model to control their inventory. But in an era where we can print on demand and deliver files digitally, the rental model is just a series of hidden fees disguised as tradition.
- Security Deposits: Why should your budget be held hostage?
- Late Fees: Because life happens, but you shouldn’t be penalized for it.
- Restocking Fees: You’re paying them to put a book back on a shelf.
The TLC Way: You Bought It, You Keep It
We are theatre people making theatre stuff for theatre people. That means we know that an actor’s script is their Bible. It should be highlighted, dog-eared, and covered in blocking notes.
- Mark Them Up: We want your actors to own their process and have a memento when it’s all over.
- No Post-Show Stress: When the curtain falls, you’re done. No erasing. No shipping. No invoices for “damaged” books.
- Future Reference: Your theatre keeps the scripts for your archives or for actors to keep as a memento of the production.
The Math of Fairness
This “Keep Your Scripts” policy is part of our larger commitment to transparency. Whether it’s our flat 4% royalty for plays or our zero-fee digital delivery, we are here to be your partner in the wings, not a bill collector at the door.
