Does The Kennedy Center Encourage or Discourage Stagedooring?

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 5/9/09 at 6:24pm

Well, I'm FINALLY seeing Ragtime tomorrow (I've had tickets for months and I'm so excited) with my little sister. We'd love to stagedoor the show, because my sister's never seen a professional actor in person before.

I've only stagedoored one time-- at The Little Mermaid-- and I feel a closer connection to that show than any of the others I've been to because of that. However, I really felt like TLM encouraged stagedooring (there was actually a TV spot on Disney channel about it!), and while I've been to loads of shows at the Kennedy Center, I've never noticed a stagedoor accessible to the public or seen people stagedooring.

Has anyone stagedoored at the Kennedy Center, and if so, what was the stagedooring group like and how were the actors' attitudes toward it? And... where is it?

[Gingersnap2]

Posted: 5/9/09 at 6:56pm

I can't speak from firsthand experience, but my friends Jan and Jack - the older couple that was at Artspeak with me - have stagedoored a lot. A few times, it's because they've been acquainted with a performer (like Hugh Panaro)...but they've also stagedoored shows where they don't know anyone with no problem.

[kec]

Posted: 5/9/09 at 9:17pm

I've stage doored at the Opera House with no problem.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/9/09 at 9:28pm

I stagedoored for RAGTIME last weekend and was the only person waiting for autographs. The cast was mroe than gracious...LOVED the show.

[kec]

Posted: 5/9/09 at 11:26pm

Is the Eisenhower stage door outside or is it inside like the Opera House Stage door?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/9/09 at 11:27pm

It's outside.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 5/9/09 at 11:42pm

eh-hemmm, the only one???

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 12:07am

Haha...I was there with DottieD'Luscia last Saturday afternoon...and we were the only ones waiting.
Updated On: 5/10/09 at 12:07 AM

[bwayrocks_ca]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 8:20am

Can someone please describe where the stage door is? Is it on the outside on the north side of the building?

Thanks!

[Tom's Cat]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 8:56am

As you exit the Eisenhower theatre, go straight out onto the deck and then turn to your right. The stage door is around the corner, about halfway (2/3rds?) down towards the front of the Kennedy Center. Not too many people know it's there so it's rarely crowded.

Updated On: 5/10/09 at 08:56 AM

[SamIAm2]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 9:03am

Go out the door from the lobby onto the patio that faces the Potomac River. Turn right and walk around the side of the building that faces Georgetown (north). Walk most of the way toward the front of the KC where you will find the stage door, which is clearly marked.

When I stage doored there I found around 25 people, most friends or family members there to meet performers after the show. There were only three other people seeking autographs. Everyone was friendly and the atmosphere was relaxed and happy. Enjoy!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 10:13am

It seems, in general, that the stage door doesn't get nearly as much attention on tour as it does in NY. But, just as SDing has expanded in NY, so will it locally.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 10:26am

Yeah. It's not as big of a thing outside of NY, but they certainly don't discourage it in any way. There were a lot of people there last night; it seemed to be mostly friends and family, but plenty of people were asking for autographs and photos, too.

[SamIAm2]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 11:16am

The KC house manager gave me directions to the stage door. He was friendly and helpful. My going there was not an issue at all.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 6:47pm

Pah, I just came back from the show. I absolutely loved it, but I was too shy to stagedoor, especially if I was going to be one of the only ones there. I was so worried that I'd bother the cast members, especially after that awkward scene between Younger Brother and Evelyn Nesbit.

[cglaid]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 7:37pm

When I went, I stayed after to meet up with Leigh Ann. Nobody else was there. I did wish a few members a quick "Congratulations" and they were very thankful, but that's about it. I doubt they'd be unwilling to sign, especially if you're nice about it.

[Jennifer Mill-Irving]

Posted: 2/17/18 at 9:06pm

This is my first time even thinking about this... If there's a 2p and an 8p show, will they only come out after the last one, or after each?

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/18/18 at 7:45am

Jennifer Mill-Irving said: "This is my first time even thinking about this... If there's a 2p and an 8p show, will they only come out after the last one, or after each?"

Purely at the discretion of the performer, though many will usually buck the matinee in order to eat/nap/run errands/entertain visitors in-between shows.

[gseylaz67]

Posted: 8/29/23 at 2:12pm

is the stage door, the same stage door for both the eisenhower theatre and the terrace theatre?

 

If not - where do i find the stage door for the terrace theatre?

[TapDanceGal]

Posted: 8/29/23 at 2:49pm

It’s the same door for both the Terrace and the Eisenhower