Advice for stagedooring

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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 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.

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

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!

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.