Are we (fans) talked about by Broadway performers? — Page 4

I'm going to be really annoying and re-post what I just wrote, since my post appears to have been lost in the black hole that emerges when threads reach their page limit...

I like the path this thread has taken. After quickly establishing that yes indeed, fans are talked about by Broadway performers, the discussion has since shifted towards the extremely unique situation in which Broadway performers find themselves nowadays.

To all of you who have responded to this thread (and others like it) with remarks like “do Broadway performers also go to the bathroom?,” or “do you follow your garbage man after he collects your trash?,” surely now you can understand why questions like these (not your exaggerated remarks, the original questions in the thread) are being asked regarding Broadway performers. What they do affects their personal lives in a way completely different from the overwhelming majority of other “customer service” professions. For that reason, it makes it extremely interesting to analyze seemingly “normal” concepts as they apply to Broadway performers. Based on this thread and other similar ones, it’s clear I’m not alone in feeling this way. Maybe the original posters (not directed at you, SweetQ) didn’t intend for the discussions to get so philosophical – maybe they really do have a hard time grasping the fact that Broadway performers ride the subway, or eat at restaurants – but the very fact that they have this hard time validates the depth of the discussion surrounding the normality of these performers’ lives.

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Yeah, after re-reading what I wrote, I thought the same thing, SweetQ. I guess I was trying to tie it all in, saying that the accessibility of Broadway performers nowadays is what stems both discussions like this one AND the seemingly inane "Stars - they're just like us!" threads. I think they both share some common ground, but I do suppose my main point wasn't really relevant to this discussion. Carry on...

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From my experience with actors, and from what I know about friends' experiences, age plays a big part in where exactly those lines lie, seperating th appropraite from the innapropriate. I am 14, but could pass for a few years older. The actors who I have had the most interaction with have never crossed into any territory that I think is inappropriate, probably because the idea of flirting with a 14 year old doesn't even enter their mind. I think also, if yuo have real friends or family friends who are actors, it is easy to distinguish between a friend relationship and a fan relationship.

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I realize that (ETA: Rath) - but I think it's more of an issue nowadays, with things like MySpace, email, repeat visitors, etc, as other people here have mentioned. It makes them that much more accessible, creating a false (and sometimes dangerous) sense of familiarity. Not that the concepts of stalkers or overly obsessed fans haven't always existed, but I would argue that the new media of fandom are contributing to their proliferation.

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Updated On: 8/28/06 at 09:49 PM

Ah, Moxie made the point about Myspace culture I was gonna make. Too slow. Does this make sense? Myspace achieved its massive popularity relatively recently. Message boards, blogs, etc... have been around for a while, but really, not SO long. Having things like blogs and myspace is like running a personal tabloid. You're basically inviting people to be able to have some constant awareness of your life. And EVERYONE has a blog, from actors to politicians to Susie Q. I suppose the self indulgence to maintain something like that can't be resisted if you know lots of people are going to read it. If you take that chance you have to deal.

When it gets weird I put most of the blame on the fans. That "If you dress sexy that's why you get sexually harrassed" (I'm being hyperbolic and metaphorical) point has a much validity but again, maybe people should lay off. Some of them get really wacky.

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There is a fine line in blogging.

I haven't read many actors blogs but those whom I have read, seem fairly reasonable/appropriate.
They mention shows they've recently seen, special performances they may be doing (ie :Joe's Pub), things they feel people should and can know.

There have been blogs that I have seen that mention specific fans. I do not think that is appropriate.

I don't think myspace has contributed much to the "stalker" type fan. I don't think that myspace MAKES or CAUSES someone to be a stalker. It may contribute to excessive feelings for the actor but I don't think myspace creates stalkers.

Did that make any sense?

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As far as stage door encounters go, I'd say crossing the line is having an actor give their phone number to someone who has seen the show 2 dozen times. I've heard many stories of actors giving out their phone numbers, addresses, etc to people they've seen at stage doors. That doesn't seem like a very sane thing to do. You never know what kind of crazy people there are out there.

I've seen shows many times, actors have recognized me for whatever reason, but the encounter ends at the stage door, even if they say "oh, email me!" It's not my place to be their friend. I don't expect to be friends with my physician...

*offers boobie to Hamlet*

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You're basically inviting people to be able to have some constant awareness of your life.

Yes, exactly.

I'm not famous, nor am I claiming to be. People read my blog or are a little familiar with my company. I've had a level of publicity that has gotten me some exposure. With that, I've experienced my own little personal hell. By choice, admittedly. I've been approached after workshops or mini-appearances and had people pour their life story out to me, ask me questions,etc. There are times when I have no energy or interest to engage these people. But because they've read about my "life" or patronized my business they think they know me (or that I owe them) and can therefore tell me about their issues.

I am, by my own admission, not a people person. So sometimes I just want to walk away. But I can't because I always have this nagging fear that the person will log on to some online forum and complain about me.

I had to put distance between myself and the people who read my blog. I stopped replying to every e-mail, I stopped engaging people after appearances and kept things impersonal. Some people understood, some didn't.

But I'll tell you this....most people had NO sympathy for me because, as they said, I put myself out there. And they were right. That's why I always advocate distance. You don't have to be rude or cold....but you also can't be totally responsive and engaging because someone, somewhere will take it the wrong way.


I don't think myspace has contributed much to the "stalker" type fan. I don't think that myspace MAKES or CAUSES someone to be a stalker. It may contribute to excessive feelings for the actor but I don't think myspace creates stalkers.

Totally disagree. Two years ago, your access to an actor (Broadway) was at the stage door, a webmaster or through their agent. MySpace, Friendster, Personal Sites....all those sites offer the ability to e-mail these actors. We didn't have that two years ago. (yes, we had e-mail, but we didn't have ways to contact actors.)
How familiar an actor becomes with their fans is in their hands.

Updated On: 8/28/06 at 10:04 PM

If you put yourself out there, you should expect some recognition. Moxie, I agree with you. There should be some element of distance.

Moxie, I actually mentioned this in one of my very first posts on the board (in fact, I think it's what brought me out of lurking, and it actually ended up being put in the FAQ), but this business is a particularly sticky situation regarding having people spilling their life story or thinking they know you.

You're performing a part that, if the playwright did his job, people will connect with. If it's a particularly dramatic role, or deals with an issue with which people can sympathize and empathize, they'll feel a deep and personal connection to the role, and whoever played it. At the end of the day, it's just a job for you, but these people just saw their own thoughts and feelings manifested by a real person.

I'm not saying it's your (or any actor's) duty to be responsible for a fan's reaction to a performance, but I do think it's important to realize the deeper motivation behind the actions of some of the fans, and behind their eagerness to get to know you personally.

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Updated On: 8/28/06 at 10:09 PM

This thread really has gotten interesting. Hm.

Now, here's my question. Is it so wrong of a fan who speaks with an actor on a regular basis at stagedoor (no matter who initiates conversation) - and even away from stagedoor if they happen to run into them - to refer to the actor as an acquaintance? Or is that still stepping on toes, in your opinion?