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.
Posted: 8/8/18 at 11:35pm
I can understand why people avoid the stage door. But I love doing it because I look up to these people. It's the craziest feeling when you literally meet someone you just saw performing in front of 1000+ people and are now actually having a face to face conversation with them. I'm not a rabid fan (or stan for that matter), and I truly do appreciate when everyone comes out because it is not their job to do this almost every night. They're throwing all their emotions in to singing and acting for 2 and a half hours, eight times a week, and then still have the energy in them to go and interact with the fans afterward. It's insane.
And trust me, I always remember what the show was like, the stagedoor experience just adds to the whole night.
Posted: 8/9/18 at 12:11am
I have a few pieces of advice.
First off have fun! It's suppose to be a enjoyable experience.
Second I would make sure you know where the stage door is before the show starts. I usually go in the theatre and if I don't know where it is than I ask a usher and ask them the best way to get there once the show is over.
Third leave right after show is over, right after curtain call. People leave before its over and during and I think it is so rude. I have left right after curtain call and have gotten great spots at the stage door. I like to be right at the front just in case I want a photo with anyone but sometimes that doesn't always happen. Certain stage doors, SpongeBob, Boys In the Band, and DEH have small stage doors so people are piled up on each other and it can get crazy. But for Harry Potter it is super long which helps a lot.
Fourth, make friends at the stage door! I usually make friends at the stage door (people I have meet in the theatre or people I met at stage door) and that can be really helpful, especially if you are going alone. That can be helpful with getting good pictures (I'm not great at selfies) and just in general.
Fifth I would be prepared for what you want to be signed and what you are going to say, if you want certain things signed have it ready, if you want a picture have your phone ready.
Sixth make sure to ask performers! If you want a picture ask first, if you want to hug them ask first! Usually they will do it but just ask! Also some performers will ask before you do if you want a picture and sometimes they will even take the selfie.
Some people have said bring a Sharpie but most stage doors I go to the performers already have their own. I usually never bring a Sharpie and I have been fine. Some performers will not take pictures and not sign certain things. Like for instance when I saw Boys In The Band, Matt Bomer would not take pictures but other shows he does, it just depends. For SpongeBob, Ethan Slater came out and the security guard told us he was not talking because he was on vocal rest. And I have heard Andrew Garfield did not sign Spiderman stuff, because there are stage door fans that are their for the work that they just say but people that stage door do sometimes do it just so they can sell it on eBay.
Lastly, just be nice and respectful. As I said most of my stage door experiences have been great and I have made friends and it has been really enjoyable but once in a while there can be rude people. Usually I am at the front and try my best to help others get there stuff signed that are in the back, it's just nice to do. But sometimes there can be rude people and it can be frustrating. Don't be rude and make it a horrible experience for other people. I had a lady yell at me for being at the front for no reason, and she kept covering my phone when I was trying to take a picture with the actors to get her poster signed.
Posted: 8/9/18 at 12:54am
You can't do anything about your height so don't worry about it. (I am a 6 ft 2 in male - lol). Like others have said, just be polite and respectful and you will be fine.
Posted: 8/9/18 at 10:37am
i staged-door for TBITB in mid June and it was packed outside...i slowly worked my way to the front of the pack and respectfully asked for autographs from who ever came out...while the actors signed my PLAYBILL if i had seen them in other work i would say something like "I loved you in Falsettos"...which i said to Andrew Rannells...he was very gracious with that comment...the only actor i wanted a picture with was Charlie Carver as you see in my avatar...and he was very accommodating, even holding my cell phone to get a better light......
the bottom line is be respectful and not pushy and smile...:)
Posted: 8/9/18 at 10:49am
Lauren2 said: "First off have fun! It's suppose to be a enjoyable experience."
It's actually not supposed to be anything, since the stage door is an entrance and exit from the theater for the actors and theater staff. Stage doors were not meant for the congregation of over-obsessed fans stalking the performers, though that's what they've (unavoidably) always been.
"Lastly, just be nice and respectful."
This is really the only true thing about "stage dooring." The cast are simply trying to go home. Signing and greeting people at the stage door is a courtesy, and most who actors who sign and greet simply do not ant to be rude. I've seen many performers practically run out the stage door to avoid being noticed.
