This time of year, lots of folks get backstage by donating $ during the BC/EFA effort.
I got backstage at the revival of Hair, because the people in my group were nice to the doorman before the show. Really, he said a friendly hello as we passed, we spent a minute or so joking around with him -- and he told us to meet him after the show....and, just like that, we got in. The next day, we walked by to thank him again.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.