Loungewear & Live Streamed Events: A Guaranteed Front Row Ticket
Live Shows or Live Streamed Events?
Who says you can't have the best of both worlds?!
by Lu, OTL Seat Fillers & Spotlight
We’re consistently touting the benefits of shows and events IRL here at OTL. After all, our entertainment partners include some of the best theatres, comedy clubs, and other show venues across the US and London.
But every so often, don’t you just want to put on your pj’s, grab a pint of ice cream, and curl up on the couch with comfy blankets and pillows?
Well, that’s why I thought you might appreciate this blog post because it combines the excitement of being at the venue - without having people whisper about your bunny slippers!
Live Shows, Tours, and Experiences - From Your Living Room
From London’s National Theatre to the Metropolitan Opera House, I've curated a list of incredible at-home experiences, including live-streamed events, VR experiences, and virtual tours. They’ll turn your space into the coolest venue in town. So, fluff up those pillows and get ready for a journey through the best seats in the house—yours!
National Theatre at Home
Enjoy world-class theatre productions from the National Theatre in London. From Shakespearean dramas to contemporary hits, new shows are added regularly, keeping the lineup fresh and exciting.
Cost: Subscriptions are $12.99/month; $129.99/year OR pay as you go with individual rentals in the $11.99 range for three days
Website: https://www.ntathome.com/
Special Equipment: No special equipment needed.
Availability: 24/7
The Louvre’s Digital Doors: Art Without the Crowds
With virtual tours of its most famous exhibits, The Louvre's treasures are just a click away. Discover Egyptian antiquities, Renaissance art, and more in an intimate setting.
Cost: Free
Website: https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne
Special Equipment: None required.
Availability: 24/7, with virtual exhibits subject to change.
Membership has proven to be so much fun for our family and friends! What a way to spend an evening... LOTS of evenings! Check it out!
DDB., Austin Seat Filler
Google Arts & Culture’s Virtual Reality Extravaganza
Dive into the world's most prestigious theaters, museums, and historical sites without leaving your sofa with these incredible VR experiences. Google Arts & Culture offers a vast array of 3D tours. They provide opportunities for you to explore places like the Royal Opera House and the Palace of Versailles in stunning detail. The National Air & Space Museum is my personal favorite!
Cost: Free
Website: https://artsandculture.google.com/
Special Equipment: None is required, but VR headsets enhance the experience.
Availability: 24/7, with exhibitions and collections that evolve over time, so you can keep coming back for more.
Berlin Philharmonic Digital Concert Hall: Where Every Seat is First Class
Tune in to live-streamed events or browse an extensive archive of concerts featuring the legendary Berlin Philharmonic. The repertoire changes with the season, offering everything from classical to contemporary pieces.
Cost: $18 per month
Website: https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/
Special Equipment: High-quality sound system recommended.
Availability: Live streams according to the season's schedule; archived concerts are available anytime.
Metropolitan Opera on Demand: High Notes in High Def
The Met Opera's streaming service offers a rich selection of operas. They include stunning HD performances from recent seasons as well as classic telecasts. New productions are added after their live performances.
Cost: $149.99/year; other plans available
Website: https://ondemand.metopera.org/
Special Equipment: None required.
Availability: On-demand, with specific live streams announced in advance.
BroadwayHD: Because Every Night Can Be a Broadway Night
Why dream of New York when Broadway can come directly to you? From timeless classics to modern musicals and plays, BroadwayHD brings the magic of theatre to your screen. The shows rotate, keeping the lineup exciting and diverse.
Cost: Subscription service - $19.99/month
Website: https://www.broadwayhd.com/
Special Equipment: None required.
Availability: Stream anytime, with new shows added monthly.
Current OTL Seat Filler Opportunities
| Location | Show/Event Categories* | Get Started (& treat your guests, too!) |
|---|---|---|
| Portland | Theatre | Be a Portland Seat Filler |
| London | Comedy | Be a London Seat Filler |
| Tampa | Comedy | Be a Tampa Seat Filler |
| Los Angeles | Film Screening | Be an L.A. Seat Filler |
| Boston | Musical | Be a Boston Seat Filler |
*OTL cannot publicly promote specific shows, events, and venues because of a strict privacy-to-shows policy that protects our partners' regular ticket sales. OTL is for people who like fun surprises (and there are plenty!) and free tickets, but not for those looking for one specific event.
Virtual Reality Art Sessions: Tilt Brush Artist in Residence
You’re heading into a virtual art studio where you can create or witness art being made right before your eyes. Using VR technology, you can either watch artists at work in real time or pick up digital brushes and start creating masterpieces in a 3D space.
Cost: Free; open source software.
Website: https://www.tiltbrush.com
Special Equipment: VR headset for a fully immersive experience and art supplies.
Availability: Create or view art anytime, with live artist sessions scheduled regularly.
Royal Shakespeare Company at Home: To Stream or Not to Stream?
Experience the best of Shakespeare with the RSC’s stunning productions. Along with timeless classics, they occasionally feature contemporary works inspired by Shakespeare’s plays.
Cost: Pay-per-view for specific productions, with some free educational content.
Website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/ and free broadcasts on BBC iPlayer - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Special Equipment: None required.
Availability: Live streams and availability of recorded performances vary; check their website for the latest schedule.
TIP: If you’re in the US, you can’t access BBC iPlayer – or, can you? I found a Chrome extension that might open up a new world of BBC productions.
Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage: Dance Like Nobody’s Watching (Because They Aren’t)
This platform offers a selection of dance performances and workshops, covering genres from ballet to hip-hop. New performances are added regularly, so there’s always something new to move you.
Cost: Free.
Website: https://www.sadlerswells.com/digital-stage/
Special Equipment: None required, but make sure you have room to dance along!
Availability: Stream workshops and performances anytime, with new content added frequently.
Jazz Live at Dizzy’s: Sip and Swing from Home with Live Streamed Events
Tune in for live sessions at Dizzy’s. Your monthly or annual subscription gives you “access to every Jazz Live webcast as well as all the archival and original content available on the service.”
Cost: $9.99/month or $99.99/year
Websites: Jazz Live https://www.jazzlive.com/browse
Special Equipment: None required, though a high-fidelity sound system would enhance the listening experience.
Availability: Check the schedule for live-stream performances.
From Virtual Shows to Shows IRL
So, you’ve now got the grand tour of the finest virtual aisles in the arts and entertainment universe. You can access live-streamed events, VR experiences, and virtual tours with a snap of your fingers (or a click of a button).
From the plush virtual seats of the Berlin Philharmonic to the historical halls of the Louvre. you’ve snagged a front-row seat to a cultural extravaganza. And, you've got it all without swapping your slippers for shoes!
The Buzz of Live Shows
But hey, who says the show can't go on IRL? With OTL Seat Fillers, the thrill of the theatre, the electricity of live music, and the excitement of comedy nights aren't confined to your screen. Join us as a seat filler, and who knows? Maybe that front-row seat isn't such a far-off dream. Step out of the virtual world and into the velvet seats; join OTL Seat Fillers and be part of the live audience where the magic truly happens.
Don’t just stream the dream, live it!