Going to the stage door, and not seeing the show. — Page 4

Speed said: "Drunk Chita Rivera said: "I think it depends on the situation. I think if you saw the show before and someone didn't come out it's fine. Or if you don't act like a stalker. Also if you didn't see the show respect the other actors."

How can you not at like a stalker? Wait for an actor at the stage door IS stalking. They have to come out a door and stalkers take advantage of that so that can "thank the actor" when a standing ovation would've been enough."

I say this as someone who doesn't stagedoor at all, but come on - I think there's a pretty clear distinction.

Staying after a show to tell an actor that you thought the show was great... maybe take a photo or get an autograph = normal stage door behavior.

Repeatedly going to the same stagedoor to talk to the same actor... especially coupled with intense following on social media to the point that you have convinced yourself that you have some sort of relationship with this person = stalking.

Updated On: 9/11/18 at 05:50 PM

theaterwiz414 said: "So someone who didn’t even see the show gets to go to the barricade and someone who DID see the show doesn’t get to thank the actors, or get a signature or a picture? That’s rude."

No, they can do all that, they just might get their picture and signature AFTER people who didn't see the show that night. Also, most people who queue up saw the show already, but many people break the show and the stage door into separate nights.

theaterwiz414 said: "Yeah except it doesn’t work that way. Or it shouldn’t. It’s called common courtesy. I’d be mad if someone who didn’t see the show that night was ahead of me and they got a photo and autograph and I didn’t. Sure we could switch places, but it’s still rude. I’m sorry, but you’re wrong in this case. Most people don’t do that? Most people either go right to the stage door or they’d adults with kids who either don’t stage door at all or they hang back while their kid does. Priority goes to people who have seen the show THAT NIGHT. That’s all."

I rarely stage door, so I don't care what rules ya'll want to make up. I usually see the show and bolt out of there. I was just saying you're basically on a sidewalk, so as much as you want to say what the rules are, and how things should go down, you're just standing out in a public thoroughfare at that point.

haterobics said: "theaterwiz414 said: "Yeah except it doesn’t work that way. Or it shouldn’t. It’s called common courtesy. I’d be mad if someone who didn’t see the show that night was ahead of me and they got a photo and autograph and I didn’t. Sure we could switch places, but it’s still rude. I’m sorry, but you’re wrong in this case. Most people don’t do that? Most people either go right to the stage door or they’d adults with kids who either don’t stage door at all or they hang back while their kid does. Priority goes to people who have seen the show THAT NIGHT. That’s all."

I rarely stage door, so I don't care what rules ya'll want to make up. I usually see the show and bolt out of there. I was just saying you're basically on a sidewalk, so as much as you want to say what the rules are, and how things should go down, you're just standing out in a public thoroughfareat that point."

It's not making up rules, it's asking for common curtesy, That's all. If I paid money to see a show and wanted to meet the actors after to say thank you, get pics etc, but there were already people there who HADN'T seen the show and took up the front of the barricade. I would be very upset. If it was like, a row, fine, or if they waited at the end of the line so the people who saw the show first could get what they deserved, fine. But to take a space from someone who actually saw the show that night is rude and inconsiderate. People need to learn respect.

ArtMan said: "theaterwiz414, You can just about call out out any action while stage dooring as rude. You describe the person as rude if someone stage doors and have not seen the show. I'll take the discussion in another direction. What about the "fan"who indeed has a ticket, monopolizes the artist's time talking and talking about mindless dribble. This "rude' behavior takes away the time from someone elsewho has also purchased a ticket. Many times an artist may cut their time shorter since much of it was spent on one person. Or the "rude" person, who has a ticket,who must get a selfie, their playbill signed, their window card signed and their shirt or arm signed. Again monopolizing the time of the artist, then someone else who also has a ticket, may not get their signature, because too much time is spent on one person. Before you say that you don't do any of the above behavior, there are many, many who have tickets do. What Haterobics and in part my narrative is describing, there are no set rules. Yes, it would be great for common courtesy and respect. But in reality, as Haterobics stated, "you're just standing out in a public thoroughfare"."

The OP asked our thoughts. I shared mine. You don't have to agree with me, even though I do think priority at the stage door should be given to people who have seen the show. That's my opinion. And this is a public forum where, um, yes, I can say people at rude at the stagedoor. Are you seriously telling me no one has ever been rude to other people at the stagedoor? If so, you're kidding yourself. But I stand by what I said.

You know, it's really no ones business but the audience member and the actor what they are willing to sign. They can always say no. Did you forget there's also security stationed at stage doors? They're not just there to look pretty. If a fan is being too aggressive they will definitely take action (well, I hope).

I still think it's rude to stagedoor a show you haven't seen that day. Let's say I came from Australia to see a show. I was SO excited to see the actors after and thank them, potentially get a photo, but surprise, the stagedoor is already packed with people who didn't even see the show that day! Are you saying those people take priority over someone who traveled from all the way across the world and might not get a chance to thank the actors because those other people are taking up their space?



No matter what YOU might think, it is taking away opportunities for people who PAID to see the show THAT DAY. Stand at the end of the line-the actors WILL get to you.

As someone who sees shows fairly frequently, yes, I am aware of stagedoor culture. Thanks.

ArtMan said: "theaterwiz414 said: "

The OP asked our thoughts. I shared mine. You don't have to agree with me, even though I do think priority at the stage door should be given to people who have seen the show. That's my opinion. And this is a public forum .

But, see you are are double talking. You told Haterobics in your post dated 9/11 at 9:23 pm "I'm sorry, but you're wrong in this case". He also was sharing his thoughts. So is your opinion only the right opinion? Please, don't pm me again on this matter. I'm really not that interested in furthering the conversation. I need to concentrate my time getting Cher tickets."

Never once have I said my opinion is the only right one. Not once. I respect your opinion, as weird as it is, you have yours, and good luck with the tickets.

To me, telling someone who is stating an opinion that they're "wrong" is an oxymoron. They're not wrong, they just have an opinion that differs from yours. Opinions are like a-holes. We all have them.

theaterwiz414 said: "Let's say I came from Australia to see a show. I was SO excited to see the actors after and thank them, potentially get a photo, but surprise, the stagedoor is already packed with people who didn't even see the show that day! Are you saying those people take priority over someone who traveled from all the way across the world and might not get a chance to thank the actors because those other people are taking up their space?"

I don't know what stage doors you are talking about where it is so deep that people can't even get anything signed or take photos. I did the Hamilton stage door at the height of the mania and I don't recall them ignoring anyone down the entire line on three consecutive nights.

But, if we run with your straw man argument here, and someone flew from Australia for a particular show and got shut out at the stage door, because it was already filled when they got out of the show... I'd recommend that they show up in advance of the show letting out on another day of their trip.

If you took the entire house of a Broadway show on any given night, there are too many people in it to all go to the stage door. So, you're trying to regulate what a small fraction of people at one show are doing. And whether an even smaller amount of people who didn't attend are also doing with them. In a situation where, in the majority of instances, everyone standing there will get what they want.

If the theater wants a regulated stage door, they need to manage it inside of the theater. The real issue is the theaters don't care, the actors don't care, and whatever happens out on the public sidewalk is a free for all. It is hard to justify that someone should get a better position on a sidewalk because they paid to see a show in the building they are outside of, after the show is over.

I remember How to Succeed had a section of barricades specifically for folks who did not have tickets from that day. Otherwise you had to show a ticket, although I suspect that wasn't enforced when the show got out and everyone stampeded to the stage door.

At Springsteen, security purposely did not set up one barricade until those people who had a ticket were out of the show. During my trip, I stage doored that mob scene (and NO I did not have a ticket...the shame). If a theater really wanted to insure that only ticket goers from that night were behind the barricade, they could/would. I suspect most theater management could care less. If it is indeed important to someone, I would suggest contacting theater management and expressing your thoughts.

Updated On: 9/13/18 at 03:55 PM

I like how so many people consider stage door is STALKING - it's a tradition that has been developed over the years, and clearly numbers of performers don't mind, and they even appreciate you waiting for their signatures. If they want to avoid stage door, they can leave through another door.

I think most of the performers (especially the big names) can tell your intention while talking to you at stage door. They can tell if you are a stalker or a fan who appreciates them. I think stage door after the show is definitely an appropriate occasion to express your appreciation, if you truly appreciate them instead of "wanting to be their friends". Come on, it's so much better than following them home or waiting at stage door before show.

I don't want to call out names but there is this show currently on broadway that has a huge group of fans who have seen the show for at least 50 plus times. And those people stage door every time - that is STALKING.

Updated On: 9/13/18 at 09:39 PM