An Unusual Request

[Grim2]

An Unusual Request#1

Posted: 2/9/12 at 11:26am

Hi,

I know this may seem like an odd question/request, but I was wondering if anyone here could steer me in the right direction for contact information regarding the possibility of purchasing backstage passes for a show. This may be a shot in the dark and I'm not even sure this is something companies do at all, but I have to ask.

I have to ask because a group of us former students/teachers and community members are trying to make the dream of an amazing drama teacher come true. First let me give you some background. My former teacher, Kevin, or what we all called him Mr.B, started a drama program in our school 25 years ago from scratch. Originally the class would perform plays in the restaurant of a local hotel to fewer then 50 patrons. However, through Mr.B's dedication the program grew significantly and now the productions stretch three days and bring in over 300 people a night to watch at our community hall. In a small town of 1200 people this is nothing short of incredible. Drama and the performing arts in our town have become a permanent staple thanks to Mr. B's effort. Over the years he has put on 52 productions which include Annie, The Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast. He was done an amazing thing for performing arts in our town and now upon his retirement we want to give something back to him.

We are holding a dedication night for Mr.B at his last production. Former students and community members have donated to send him to broadway to take in a few nights of shows, but we really want to do more. We want to make his dream of being behind stage during a professional production come true. For years he had always talked a length about this wish and we thought we would see if we could make this a possibility. If you have any information you can send me even if its a simple no they don't do that we would appreciate it.

Thanks, Graham

You can contact me through p.m. here or at my email address [e-mail] Updated On: 2/9/12 at 11:26 AM

[Tag]

An Unusual Request #2

Posted: 2/9/12 at 11:50am

My recommendation would be to contact the Production Stage Manager of each show you are sending your teacher to. The easiest way would be to send them a letter through the (snail) mail addressed to them at the theatre address. With a little online research you could probably actually find out their names (but addressing the letter to "Production Stage Manager" would be fine). Explain your situation and hope for the best!

Good luck!

[Unknown User]

An Unusual Request #2

Posted: 2/9/12 at 11:50am

I don't know that you could "purchase" backstage passes but perhaps if you contacted someone associated with a particular show and told them your story they would invite him for a backstage visit.

[Grim2]

An Unusual Request #3

Posted: 2/9/12 at 12:42pm

Does anyone know of a production manager I could contact?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

An Unusual Request #4

Posted: 2/9/12 at 12:44pm

You could contact any of them.

[tazber]

An Unusual Request #5

Posted: 2/9/12 at 1:16pm

You should contact the production stage manager of the show he's seeing.

Don't forget to let them know what performance he will be attending!

....but the world goes 'round

Updated On: 2/9/12 at 01:16 PM

[daisyviolet]

An Unusual Request #6

Posted: 2/9/12 at 1:31pm

You can purchase tickets to a backstage tour at Wicked through their "Behind the Emerald Curtain" program:
http://www.emeraldcurtain.com/individual-tickets.html

[Grim2]

An Unusual Request #7

Posted: 2/9/12 at 2:39pm

Thanks, for all the advice everyone. I really appreciate it.

[LizzieCurry]

An Unusual Request #8

Posted: 2/9/12 at 2:55pm

Isn't Behind the Emerald Curtain not really a backstage door but just sounds like one?

"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

[TheatreDiva90016]

An Unusual Request #9

Posted: 2/9/12 at 3:35pm

^^^Yes.

Don't waste your money...

"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2

[jolly1]

An Unusual Request #10

Posted: 2/9/12 at 4:17pm

Best of luck. Grim. The world needs more passionate people. I would suggest perhaps getting your local news involved in the story. If he is a staple of the community they may want to do a piece on him which could be forwarded onto bigger newcasts. A VERYYY long shot but things like that seem to work these days.

[adam.peterson44]

An Unusual Request #11

Posted: 2/9/12 at 7:16pm

Sorry that I don't have enough knowledge to actually answer your original question, but I just wanted to jump in to say that what you and your friends are doing is wonderfully sweet, and to thank you for spreading more kindness in the world.

Updated On: 2/9/12 at 07:16 PM

[CockeyedOptimist2]

An Unusual Request #12

Posted: 2/9/12 at 7:32pm

Hey Grim, I just saw this thread and it mentioned bidding on tickets and backstage tours, so maybe it's worth it to check out:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1041828&dt=1&boardid=1

[Grim2]

An Unusual Request #13

Posted: 2/9/12 at 8:07pm

Hey,

Thanks for the link with that auction. That's exactly the kind of thing we're looking for the only problem is that were holding the event to raise money to send him during his last play which is in May so we currently don't have the funds to bid on this right now. I'll keep my eyes open for stuff like that in the future though.

Thanks

Updated On: 2/9/12 at 08:07 PM