The shift away from fully printed program books is happening everywhere—from community theaters to large performing arts centers. But here’s what the most strategic organizations already know:
You can reduce your reliance on print without sacrificing the patron experience—and without your audience even noticing the change.
This isn’t about compromise. It’s about applying best of practice techniques that streamline production, cut costs, and create new engagement opportunities—all while keeping the experience seamless, elegant, and audience-first.
Shrink the Pages, Keep the Experience
Many organizations worry that reducing print content will feel like taking something away. The key is to focus your printed program on the essentials:
- Performance and cast information
- Artistic statements and high-impact editorial
- Key sponsor ads and acknowledgments
Meanwhile, you can move 30–50% of your content—like donor lists, full bios, calendars, and extended notes—into the digital program. Patrons still access everything they expect… just not all in print.
This focused approach keeps the printed book concise while the digital version becomes a rich, flexible extension of the experience.
The Digital Program Must Be Stellar—Or It Won’t Work
Let’s be clear: if your digital program is just a static PDF… you’ve already lost the audience.
Best of practice means delivering a beautiful, responsive, mobile-first experience that’s built for how patrons actually consume content today.
- No pinch-zooming.
- No slow downloads.
- No broken links or outdated content.
With Onstage, the digital program is designed to be frictionless for patrons and effortless for your team to update. It lives in a clean, branded environment, accessible instantly via text or QR scan—no apps, no logins, no frustration.
When done right, it doesn’t just replicate the print experience—it enhances it with rich media, live updates, and smarter navigation.
Reduce Print Quantities (Quietly)
Once you have a stellar digital experience in place, reducing your print run becomes painless. With strong promotion and easy access, most organizations can cut printed quantity by 20–40%—without complaints.
It’s not about doing less—it’s about doing it smarter.
Audience Chat: Your New Engagement Gateway
More digital access doesn’t just reduce paper—it opens a direct line to your audience.
When patrons text a keyword like “PROGRAM” to access the digital edition, they enter through Audience Chat—our SMS-first communication layer built into the Onstage platform.
They get exactly what they came for. You get a verified, first-party contact channel you can use for future reminders, promotions, or exclusive content—delivered with trust and transparency.
How to Make the Transition Seamless
Follow a phased rollout plan:
Pre-Launch – Promote digital access ahead of time via email and signage
Launch Day – Include front-cover QR codes, in-book CTAs, and trained ushers
Post-Launch – Use Audience Chat to stay connected, track engagement, and refine your strategy
The Bottom Line
Hybrid program publishing is no longer the future—it’s the best practice now. But success depends on execution.
✔️ A simplified print piece.
✔️ A thoughtfully designed digital experience (not a PDF).
✔️ A communication strategy that works harder for you.
And with Onstage Managed Program Book Services, you get the expertise, tools, and support to make it all seamless.
Ready to rethink your print strategy—without your audience ever feeling the shift? Answer four quick questions and get a custom recommendation built around your season. Get Started Now!
