Advice for stagedooring

[TheatreGirl146]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 4:32pm

Iv'e watched videos, read articles, researched. But i'm still extremely nervous for stagedooring. Iv'e never stagedoored before, and i don't know what to do!

I'm stagedooring for Dear Evan Hansen.

Another thing is, i'm a teenager (16) and i'm 6'2 (feet) (I'M FREAKING TALLER THAN MIKE FAIST) And i always get so...awkward because i feel like my height is gonna make people mad or ruining people's chancing to see the actors.. Am i being stupid about it? 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 4:36pm

Your state of being tall will be far, FAR from the most awkward thing anyone at the DEH stage door has ever experienced.

[theatretenor2]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 4:41pm

I'd recommend keeping your stage door posts together so you aren't starting a bunch of threads.

That being said, going to the stage door is exciting. It shouldn't be scary. You may or may not be able to get photos with actors/actresses. It all depends on the performer. Some people don't come out at all. Some people will sign autographs, but won't take pictures with you. The security folks will notify you if photos with or of the performer are allowed. Just go with the flow.

[Rainah]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 5:08pm

leave the theatre promptly but not before bows are completed (that would be rude)

be accommodating to your fellow fans - if someone is behind you, offer to pass their item forward to be signed. I do this any time there is a crowd and it is always appreciated. If you can, shuffle around a bit so people can get a photo, I usually say something like "I will switch spots with you so you can get a photo, provided you switch back right after so I don't lose my place"

Be respectful to actors. Don't be weird, don't be creepy, don't act like you're their personal friend or spend twenty minutes talking at them when they want to go home.

Usually I hand them my playbill/item, and while they are signing it give a specific compliment or question. Or hey if I wasn't jazzed about their performance just say something like "I really enjoyed the show!" But if you can, specific compliments on their work like "Oh man when you hit that high note in [song] it was amazing" or "your dancing is incredible, it really stood out to me" "That moment when [plot happened] and you [reacted], it was so gut punching and real".

And you will already know this, but just be respectful in general. If sometimes doesn't feel like signing, or only signs for a few, or will sign but not take photos, be happy with what they choose to give you and spread that attitude with your fellow fans. It's a gift!

But in general, yeah, relax. Stagedooring is mostly a lot of waiting and then trying not to say something dumb to someone who has heard a million people accidentally say dumb things to them already. Even if you don't know what to do, they know the drill.

[anislander]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 6:13pm

On top of everything above, make sure you listen to the stage door security guards if they have any announcements. I'm fairly certain that you can't take pictures with the actors at the Dear Evan Hansen stage door, so don't ask the actors for pictures anyway (the guards will tell you this). They will also keep you updated if anyone else is coming out, especially if you have been waiting there for a long time. If there is anything else the guards ask the group specifically to do (back up, move somewhere else, etc), please obey these instructions. They are really truly looking out for both you and the actor's safety, and the experience turns sour for everyone if one person decides to act out. 

Otherwise, stage dooring is so fun and I've had some of my favorite experiences at stage doors! Make sure to say thank you to the actors for autographs and coming out, and it doesn't hurt to thank the guards at the end of the night!

[mikem]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 12:27am

Stagedooring is fun.  Just be prepared that the actors may not come out.   I have not been recently, but the DEH stagedoor was extremely crowded last fall,and many actors will only want to deal with that a few times a week or not at all.  There were times when only one or two of the DEH actors came out after the show to sign.  On the other hand, if anyone from that show comes out, they will almost certainly try to sign for everyone, so there's no need to worry that the actor is going to leave in the middle of signing.

[SempreLiberal]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 12:47am

We were at DEH for a Saturday matinee a few weeks ago, and only Michael Lee Brown came out to sign. (The rest of the cast had to perform that night.) he signed everyone’s requests, but no posed selfies. But photos of him were OK.

Stand tall and proud. You’ll have fun.

[dearalanaaaa]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 12:53am

I'm 5'11 and the Dear Evan Hansen door is perfectly fine. Please be kind, and remember this is NOT one of the worst days to be there (Bens last day and directly after Tony's wins were... hell for lack of a better word) and as long as you respect the guard you will be fine. Speaking of the guard, Duke loves to be greeted, so say hi to him! Please don't push or make others uncomfortable, and they do not allow selfies at Hansen. The only other issue I could think of is other fans being rude. I had to deal with that at Hansen both times, so if it gets out of hand just leave because it is not worth risking your safety.

[Lot666]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 8:40am

I don't know if this is the case with Taylor Trensch, but I saw a matinee with Ben Platt last spring and he did not come out between shows (everyone else did).

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 8:59am

Just a heads-up on the situation at the Winter Garden Theatre/FUNNY GIRL.  The stage door is insane and crowds spill onto 7th Avenue as the barricades are lined-up blocking sidewalk access.  Also, Barbra Streisand does not sign nor take selfies.  Security announces this and actually says Miss Streisand has to be at an engagement so she will not have time to stop.  He says this after EVERY performance, including matinee.  You are allowed to take photos of her. 

 

[msmp]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 6:12pm

Lot666 said: "I don't know if this is the case with Taylor Trensch, but I saw a matinee with Ben Platt last spring and he did not come out between shows (everyone else did)."

I've only rarely encountered members of a cast coming out between shows on a two-show day, so that's really neat!

[haterobics]

Posted: 3/28/18 at 6:55pm

Lot666 said: "I saw a matinee with Ben Platt last spring and he did not come out between shows"

Wasn't it more of a rarity when he ever stage doored?! Afternoon or evening?

[Wick3]

Posted: 3/29/18 at 8:22am

dearalanaaaa said: "I'm 5'11 and the Dear Evan Hansen door is perfectly fine. Please be kind, and remember this is NOT one of the worst days to be there (Bens last day and directly after Tony's wins were... hell for lack of a better word) and as long as you respect the guard you will be fine. Speaking of the guard, Duke loves to be greeted, so say hi to him! Please don't pushor make others uncomfortable, and they do not allow selfies at Hansen. The only other issue I could think of is other fans being rude. I had to deal with that at Hansen both times, so if it gets out of hand just leave because it is not worth risking your safety."

I agree. I've found that stagedooring during previews is best as most if not all the actors tend to come out and the crowd isn't that bad at all. I still remember going to see DEH at the first performance after the Tony's and that was an amazing experience!!! I recall Ben even came out to sign! 

Just be prepared to wait and expect the worst. My friends have stagedoored at DEH and waited 40 mins only to have no one come out. 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 3/29/18 at 10:07am

Rainah said:

But in general, yeah, relax. Stagedooring is mostly a lot of waiting and then trying not to say something dumb to someone who has heard a million people accidentally say dumb things to them already. Even if you don't know what to do, they know the drill."

So accurate.

I wouldn't worry too much about your height. If you're lined up along the barricades there are still plenty of spots for other (shorter) people. Just try to be good about passing up Playbills from people in the back.

[Lauren2]

Posted: 8/8/18 at 4:12am

Does DEH band pictures? Because I have seen some videos where they are taking pictures and than I watched a video where Brown legit said I am not allowed. So it seemed like he would be fine with it, but the production is not letting them? It's just confusing.

[yesraccoons]

Posted: 8/8/18 at 10:13am

Lauren2 said: "Does DEH band pictures? Because I have seen some videos where they are taking pictures and than I watched a video where Brown legit said I am not allowed. So it seemed like he would be fine with it, but the production is not letting them? It's just confusing."

It's likely something the cast has all agreed on. If one actor agreed to take pictures and the others refused people would likely be upset. it's easier to just have no one take pictures considering how many people would want pictures. If there are 100 people at the stage door and only a fourth want pictures that is still 25 pictures it's a lot. One policy protects the actors from hate and saves them time when signing.

[kristendemers1]

Posted: 8/8/18 at 12:41pm

I'm glad this thread was created because I have been considering going to the stage door but haven't done it before. I will be seeing Waitress and SpongeBob this weekend and would love to go to the stage door after. Where are the stage doors typically located? I'm not even sure where to look lol

 

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/8/18 at 12:45pm

^ Easiest thing is to just ask an usher. But for those show, to the left and around the corner, respectively.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/8/18 at 12:54pm

kristendemers1, just look for the crowd. And/or screaming.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 8/8/18 at 5:17pm

Waitress (Brooks Atkinson) is right outside the theater on the righthand side. You'll see barricades. Be careful though. I don't know how it is now but when Sara was there, people were pouring out into the street and when I walked by it always struck me as unsafe. If you're not near the barricades it's not worth it to stand in the street and maybe get run over.

Spongebob (Palace) is to the left of the theater at the end of the block past the subway entrance. There are also barricades. It's a bit dark but there's always a guard and there are usually other people so you should be okay.

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 8/8/18 at 5:45pm

Always listen to secuity regarding the actor's wishes, be prepared with a pen, and never, ever disrespect the actors.  They don't ever have to come out there, it's a privilege.  

[msmp]

Posted: 8/8/18 at 6:00pm

EllieRose2 said: "Always listen to secuity regarding the actor's wishes, be prepared with a pen, and never, ever disrespect the actors. They don't ever have to come out there, it's a privilege."

This is great advice, and the pen/sharpie thing is crucial. Most actors will carry one of their own, but ensemblists don't always get asked to sign so they might not have one (and in my experience, are THRILLED to sign for folks!). Other issues can come up: the actor's pen runs dry or isn't working right, or they only have black and the playbill might be a dark color. My advice: always carry a silver sharpie as a backup. It looks good on almost any Playbill, including black-and-white if they sign in a dark area!

[BroadwayNoob]

Posted: 8/8/18 at 10:27pm

People have been saying they banned pictures at DEH. I stagedoored after I saw the show (for the first time) this Friday. I won the lottery but got SRO tickets. I think I was the first one out of the theater, no joke, and there was already almost a full line of people on the barricade that obviously didn't see the show. I was able to get one of the last spots on the barricade but soon it was at least 6 people deep on my end, and at least 3 people deep all around. I was able to get pictures with everyone that came out (which was all except for Phoenix and Jennifer), except RBJ didn't seem to be taking any - she was moving super quickly. The only person who definitely said he couldn't take pictures was MLB, but he snuck one with me and 3 other people around me. I don't know why those rules are - I'm assuming time.

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 8/8/18 at 10:59pm

I just don't get it, and never will, this need to stage door.

You buy a ticket, see the show, applaud[thanking the cast]and go home.

Stagedooring[?] is like a whole other show with sets[barricades], extras[how and where do the tech. people exit?] security and then the cast. This all possibly takes as long as the show just seen.

Ridiculous

Oh look, I got a selfie with ??? What was the show like? Can't remember. I told ???? he/she was faaaaabulous! Made my night.

The autograph becomes more important than the performance.

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/8/18 at 11:16pm

I only have two stage door patterns:

- I walk past it.

- I go to the door, say I'm on the guest list for X, and go to their dressing room.

That's pretty much it.