Dear Theater Fans, Please Stop Stealing

I clicked the link. I knew better, but I clicked anyway. Fool me twice, shame on me...

Do you really want to know what I think?!?!

You are all kinds of ignorant Illana Keller! Just shut up! That's what I think. Bootlegs are highly regarded among theatre professionals in New York and for good reason. The West End is a totally different story but no one here cares. Playbills are free for a reason. Stage dooring with out seeing the show is whatever. At the end of the day, who does any of this hurt?

Chicken_Flavor said: "Do you really want to know what I think?!?! "

I'd love to hear what you think, especially if you can discuss topics and not personal attacks. But even if not, I guess you'd be in good company.

Actually, you are a blogger. Now begone, Ilana!!

I can never agree with bootlegs. To me, it's less about the idea of 'theft' and more about the idea of consent. The actors onstage did not consent to be filmed by you and have their work on that particular night immortalized. The designers, director, choreographer, writer didn't consent to their work being captured either. This is a violation of them as artists and as people and I disagree with it wholeheartedly, while simultaneously agree there is a severe accessibility need that must be addresses for theatre, commercial and otherwise. Bootlegs are not the answer to this.

Updated On: 5/2/17 at 05:20 PM

I'm opposed to bootlegs unless you can smuggle a tripod in there, too. And don't sit behind someone taller than you...

Michael Kras said: "I can never agree with bootlegs. To me, it's less about the idea of 'theft' and more about the idea of consent. The actors onstage did not consent to be filmed by you and have their work on that particular night immortalized. The designers, director, choreographer, writer didn't consent to their work being captured either. This is a violation of them as artists and as people and I disagree with it wholeheartedly, while simultaneously agree there is a severe accessibility need that must be addresses for theatre, commercial and otherwise. Bootlegs are not the answer to this."

I agree consent is also an issue (maybe not instead of theft, to me but in addition). Many an actor has taken to Twitter to say as much.

I do think steps are continually being taken to address access, and the growing demand for alternate consumption. I think we owe it to people to give them the time and space they need to figure it out -- saying, "oh well, I have no choice but to steal in the meantime" (as many do), is no excuse or justification. Instead it's a symptom of an entitled person, who feels they are owed the access to see what they want when they want.

No one has ever gotten in trouble for recording a show. The most they would do is make you delete it. When they do it right, they get away without being noticed by anyone so it's obviously not a distraction and it's a miracle that we can watch shows from the past that we wouldn't be able to see otherwise. Many theatre professionals publically praise bootlegs of their own work all the time. Also, you are a blogger. Professional journalists don't go around pushing their stories on message boards and Facebook groups. I have seen you post this all over the internet for the past few days. Obviously, no one agrees with anything you're saying here.



Also, your personal phone number is on the article. You could not be anymore unprofessional.

Updated On: 5/2/17 at 05:42 PM

I read all the comments before I clicked on the link. Once I did, I couldn't believe all the nastiness here for an article that seems to promote protecting an artists work and encourages ethical behavior. Agree with the article or not, why cant people just be civil? Why the need to attack or mock people on this social media? I see it over and over here. You would think THIS community would be one to promote acceptance. Just sayin....

On a fundamental basis, I agree with the opposition to bootlegs. I personally don't watch them. But I live in Manhattan, and can easily go and see a show any time I like. For many theatre fans, this is not an option, and that's the grey area for me. Many will never get the opportunity to see shows they love, or see shows that closed many years ago, without bootlegs. It's about accessibility, and for most, Broadway is simply inaccessible without bootlegs.

Stagedooring after a show you didn't see, however? I don't think that's "stealing" at all. Again, many young theatre fans love shows like Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen, but can't afford tickets to see them live, but still want to meet the cast members of a show they love so much. Many people come to matinees of those shows due to cost and availability, and then stagedoor the night show, as many cast members don't stagedoor after matinees. While the rest of your article makes perfect sense, I simply do not understand that part.