Can Actors Stage Door Yet ?

[broadwayfan128]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 4:59pm

Just checking if anyone has stagedoored recently? I know the “official rule” is no stagedooring but also know from experience some shows are allowing it. What shows have you done and who’s stopped?

[pollster2]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 5:33pm

We're still in a global pandemic and cast members are still contracting the virus and having to miss shows. Your selfie is not worth it. Please, leave these actors alone.

[Dolly80]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 5:37pm

Can’t believe you’re even asking that. Stay. Away. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 5:41pm

I have a friend in PARADISE SQUARE and we met after the performance. The barricade  was set up and we chatted across it--keeping more than 6' between us. No other cast members came out.

[dadaguza]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 5:46pm

Dollypop said: "I have a friend in PARADISE SQUARE and we met after the performance. The barricade was set up and we chatted across it--keeping more than 6' between us. No other cast members came out."

Just giving you a thumbs up for not responding to the OP like a rude self righteous jackass.

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 5:50pm

To answer the actual question that was asked, I know that Hugh Jackman does that stage door but he doesn't sign things, he just walks through, poses for a couple selfies and is on his way.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 5:51pm

I’ve seen plenty of stage dooring happening at various shows. Now, SHOULD there be? No. But I’m sure some actors feel some sort of guilt or obligation to. I recommend not doing it, for the health and safety of the actors. Send in your playbill and patiently wait for it to return signed.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 5:57pm

There are some shows where actors frequently do sign afterwards, yes. I’ve seen it a lot over the past few weeks.

[broadwayfan128]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 6:16pm

pollster2 said: "We're still in a global pandemic and cast members are still contracting the virus and having to miss shows. Your selfie is not worth it. Please, leave these actors alone."

Yes I know that but if some shows want to do it it’s a choice

[ramblingwreck97]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 7:03pm

The best thing would be for "stage dooring" to never return. If you happen to meet an actor after a show, that should be a spotaneous and mutually agreed upon experience. These casts are fighting hard to not get COVID, and they don't need to have more obstacles to face.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 7:46pm

It’s not “”. They’re literally not supposed to right now, and there are even signs on stage doors saying actors can’t sign things. But people don’t care, or they think they’re an exception to the current rules. Your priority when seeing a show should never be to meet the performers after. There are many shows right now where I’d love to meet the performers. But I respect them. I know that if I do, others will go, and sometimes, this makes actors feel obligated to stagedoor and they feel guilty if they don’t. That is not part of their job. It’s extremely nice when they do. But they do not owe it to anyone to do so.

 

in short, no. They’re not *supposed* to, but the people who wait probably make them feel obligated to. 

Edit: don’t forget that COVID is still very much present and we shouldn’t want to keep it around. Actors want to work. Not be out because of COVID or an exposure or anything. 

Updated On: 5/1/22 at 07:46 PM

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 8:17pm

Hearthemsing is right, if one person goes others would be curious too and go over there.

The entitlement/desire of wanting to wait around for autographs, specially when there are still actors calling out due to covid, makes me baffled beyond words. Hell, I remember I was leaving after a shift at one of my theatres, where the security guard was trying to tell the crowd to disperse, tried as he might it was an uphill battle for him ad the other security guard there too. I heard a girl yell to the guard “well, if they don’t want to sign or take pictures, then, they should leave through another door, we’re entitled to be here.” Let’s just say that after hearing that, I just wanted to bang my head against a wall.

To many of the hardcore fans they feel that they NEED to get an autograph from someone, just like they NEED food to live.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 8:37pm

Islander_fan said: "Hearthemsing is right, if one person goes others would be curious too and go over there.

The entitlement/desire of wanting to wait around for autographs, specially when there are still actors calling out due to covid, makes me baffled beyond words. Hell, I remember I was leaving after a shift at one of my theatres, where the security guard was trying to tell the crowd to disperse, tried as he might it was an uphill battle for him ad the other security guard there too. I heard a girl yell to the guard “well, if they don’t want to sign or take pictures, then, they should leave through another door, we’re entitled to be here.” Let’s just say that after hearing that, I just wanted to bang my head against a wall.

To many of the hardcore fans they feel that they NEED to get an autograph from someone, just like they NEED food to live. "

What absolutely BAFFLES me, too, is the people who, after being in the same room with the performer for 2 hours, feel the need to wait outside just for a mere glimpse of the performer when all the performer does is wave. Like-WHY???? Why do they do that??? 
 

The entitlement….ughh. Islander_fan I COMPLETELY AGREE with you. 

[pollster2]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 8:44pm

dadaguza said: "Dollypop said: "I have a friend in PARADISE SQUARE and we met after the performance. The barricade was set up and we chatted across it--keeping more than 6' between us. No other cast members came out."

Just giving you a thumbs up for not responding to the OP like a rude self righteous jackass."

I'm sorry you think I'm being rude for wanting Broadway to remain open. But you're right -- your selfie is more important than the health and safety of the creatives and keeping the industry open.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 9:11pm

pollster2 said: "dadaguza said: "Dollypop said: "I have a friend in PARADISE SQUARE and we met after the performance. The barricade was set up and we chatted across it--keeping more than 6' between us. No other cast members came out."

Just giving you a thumbs up for not responding to the OP like a rude self righteous jackass."

I'm sorry you think I'm being rude for wanting Broadway to remain open. But you're right -- your selfie is more important than the health and safety of the creatives and keeping the industry open."

I want to preface what I’m about to say with-i completely agree with you.
 

Someone I interacted with said that they’ve been stage dooring since…September? And was like, “it’s good for my mental health to be there”. I respect what most people have to do for their mental health. But…like….

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 9:30pm

hearthemsing22 said: "It’s not “”. They’re literally not supposed to right now, and there are even signs on stage doors saying actors can’t sign things. But people don’t care, or they think they’re an exception to the current rules. Your priority when seeing a show should never be to meet the performers after. There are many shows right now where I’d love to meet the performers. But I respect them. I know that if I do, others will go, and sometimes, this makes actors feel obligated to stagedoor and they feel guilty if they don’t. That is not part of their job. It’s extremely nice when they do. But they do not owe it to anyone to do so.



in short, no. They’re not *supposed* to, but the people who wait probably make them feel obligated to.

Edit: don’t forget that COVID is still very much present and we shouldn’t want to keep it around. Actors want to work. Not be out because of COVID or an exposure or anything."

I'm not anti-stage dooring at all. But things are different after the shutdown and I'm still so grateful that we even get to have theater back to hold off until it's truly safe for everyone on either side. I think it's tough because the barricades help with crowd control but they also encourage people to gather. I feel bad for any actors who feel obligated to stop and security guards who have to manage the situation.

Personally, I don't see the appeal of a masked selfie or a signature right now. If you wouldn't make a donation for the signed Playbill or write a letter with whatever you have to say, I don't think it's really important enough to stage door for the equivalent interaction. (Following the sondheimletters account, a letter seems much more rewarding.)

[stoptheworld38]

Posted: 5/1/22 at 9:44pm

I may be in the minority, but I don't really see how just asking the question equates "entitlement." Obviously audience members should always respect an actor's decision to not stagedoor (especially during Covid but even under normal circumstances) but I see nothing wrong with asking if people are doing it, as long as you're accepting of the answer being no. Also, I'm not saying I'm in support of stagedooring returning yet (eventually yes, just not yet) but the fact is, there's lots of places where the actors are probably at least as equally likely to catch Covid as they are when meeting an audience member. (Restaurants, grocery stores, public transit, you name it).

[ramblingwreck97]

Posted: 5/2/22 at 12:14am

"Someone I interacted with said that they’ve been stage dooring since…September? And was like, “it’s good for my mental health to be there”. I respect what most people have to do for their mental health. But…like…."


Their mental health should improve knowing that theater has a chance again. Let's not ruin it in any way. If you truly love a performance, give the performer/s a nice ovation after the show, they will truly appreciate it and see and hear you. You don't need to get a selfie. Updated On: 5/2/22 at 12:14 AM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/2/22 at 12:35am

I may be in the minority, but I don't really see how just asking the question equates "entitlement."

No, asking politely is not acting entitled. It's stating "I am entitled to be here" or somehow thinking your ticket covers the stage door. It's people like that that the smart, awesome people on BWW despise. I cannot blame them, so many people here work at venues all over the world and have to deal with this kind of nonsense. Loitering outside a theater and feeling OWED a selfie? GTFO. 

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 5/2/22 at 10:50am

Stagedooring is creepy.

[lilpunkin]

Posted: 5/2/22 at 11:10am

The hordes outside Prima Facie stage door honestly have been terrifying, especially for a one-woman show. I wish the UK wasn’t acting like Covid doesn’t exist.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 5/2/22 at 12:55pm

Sutton Ross said: "I may be in the minority, but I don't really see how just asking the question equates "entitlement."

No, asking politely is not acting entitled. It's stating "I am entitled to be here" or somehow thinking your ticket covers the stage door. It's people like that that the smart, awesome people on BWW despise. I cannot blame them, so many people here work at venues all over the world and have to deal with this kind of nonsense. Loitering outside a theater and feeling OWED a selfie? GTFO."

THANK YOU. Totally, 100% agree. 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 5/2/22 at 12:58pm

Why would an actor want to stagedoor when one received an email, so this means someone found their PERSONAL email address, and then complained that they didn’t stagedoor? The entitlement that people have over thinking they’re owed a meet and greet after the show….no. Go home. 

[darquegk]

Posted: 5/2/22 at 4:42pm

It seems like there are only two sides participating in this argument: on the one hand, people who want to stage door, and on the other hand, people who are ideologically opposed to it, who consider the modern concept of a "parasocial relationship" rude at best and psychologically unsound at worst.

I think the vast majority of people are like me: we don't mind stagedooring at all, and even partake sometimes (as actors or as audience), but are perfectly willing to wait out the ongoing health crisis before it comes back.

[quizking101]

Posted: 5/2/22 at 5:12pm

darquegk said:

”I think the vast majority of people are like me: we don't mind stagedooring at all, and even partake sometimes (as actors or as audience), but are perfectly willing to wait out the ongoing health crisis before it comes back."

**Price Is Right Winning Bells**

THIS!!! EXACTLY!!!!!! NAILED IT!!! Moderator, tell them what they’ve won! 

I await when I can stagedoor again but In the meantime, I’m perfectly content mailing my playbills in and hoping for a response while also supporting the USPS.