How do you feel about going to the stage door?

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How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 4:33pm

I know that while a large majority of people love going to the stage door, meeting the actors, and getting autographs/pictures, other people don't like it and even disapprove of those who go to the stage door.

I wondered where you stand on this.
Just out of curiosity!
Thanks!

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 4:34pm

I'll only do it at WICKED cuz they love it.

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 5:02pm

There's certainly nothing wrong with congratulating a performer on their performance and getting an autograph, and keeping it to a few moments. In all my years of seeing theatre in New York, London and LA, I can count on 1 hand all the times I've "stage doored."

Lots of people like to get their pic taken with the performer, as well. That's not my cup of tea, but always ask first. Don't assume - and don't get "offended" if they say "No, thanks." It's their comfort level, not yours. You're asking a total stranger to get their picture taken with you. Doesn't matter if they are an actor or not.

When people keep going back and stage dooring the same person over and over again, that's just wrong on so many levels. Beware of the groupies who feel as if they are entitled to be the first in line, first with the camera, have seen the show more times than everyone else, that they have a "special" non-existent connection with the performer............i.e. TOTAL STRANGER. If that was true, they wouldn't be on the outside, looking in.

Stay clear of those people.

Updated On: 6/5/13 at 05:02 PM

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 5:04pm

It's a fond pasttime of mine. It gives you the opportunity to talk with others about the show and also thank the actors for a great (Admittedly, the signed posters that end up on my wall are a nice bonus memento).

I'm grateful to have met such a variety of actors/performers, from Ricky Martin and Bernadette Peters to Jeremy Jordan (who I saw/met for the first time when he understudied Drew).

Will I grow out of it? Eventually. But for now, it just enriches each of my already wonderful Broadway experiences.

Check out my eBay page for sales on Playbills!! www.ebay.com/usr/missvirginiahamm

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 5:07pm

I believe that it is totally fine BUT you also have to be respectful of the actors who do not or cannot have time to meet with every single person.

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 5:11pm

Do you really think this is true?

"I know that while a large majority of people love going to the stage door. . . . "

Large majority? Of all the people that go to shows, even among people that love theatre and go to lots of shows, I don't think that's true. Small minority.

Don't you think most people don't think about it/don't care?

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 5:40pm

Personally, I love to stage door. I love to thank the performers for the experience they led me through for the evening, and that is it. Recently, however, I have tended not to go, for it is so hard to handle others at the stage door sometimes.

For example, just got back from the matinee of Cinderella where, yes, I stage doored. The groups on either side of mine were extremely loud and obnoxious (moreso than the average "fangirl", I would say", disrespectful to ensemble performers, and their behavior with Laura and Santino left even me embarrassed. Not sure it will be any time soon that I stagedoor again...

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 6:14pm

"Don't you think most people don't think about it/don't care?"

You're exactly right. The large majority of people that attend Broadway shows have no clue that you can even "stage door." It's not a thing ordinary people would even think of. If there is a huge star (Harry Potter) enough people are chatting about it and the audience sees the crowds outside but generally have no clue.

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 6:38pm

I used to include stage dooring as part of my "Broadway" experience no matter what I thought of the show or whether I knew anything about the actors (young, obsessed with theater, only saw 1-3 shows per year if any). An amazing first SD experience with Michael Cerveris at "Sweeney Todd" gave me unrealistically high expectations about interacting with actors.

Now, I'll go to the SD if I have something specific I'd like signed, or if an actor's performance in the show I just saw or a previous one particularly touched and I want to tell him/her. I won't go to the SD if it's mobbed (i.e. I steered very clear of the "How to Succeed" SD because of the hoards of screaming people) and I also won't go if I haven't seen the show, even if I've seen the actor in other shows.

I do ask for autographs from everyone in the cast who signs, and I do ask for pictures with actors who take them. I don't pester actors who clearly are in a hurry or who don't sign/take pictures. (I also don't let whether an actor signs/takes pics affect my opinion on who (s)he is as a person or as an evaluative point regarding performance.)

#10

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 6:47pm

While I'm not a fan of it, I can't say that I've never done it. Without my kids, I can't, however, tell you the last time I have done so.

I agree that it far from the majority that stage door. FAR. An 800 seat house does not have 500 people at stage door. (Under normal circumstances.)

I have NEVER understood autographs, at all. (Especially buying them.)

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.

#11

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 6:59pm

To me, stage dooring is a unique benefit of live theater. Where else do I have an opportunity to give back to those who have touched me through their performance? It's not about what I can get from them, but it's about saying thank you to them. A moment's connection with a person who shared their gifts with me and making them smile is a great way to end the experience.

#12

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 7:31pm

It's never been part of my theater-going pattern to ever stage-door (I'll do anything to avoid crowds) so I'm genuinely curious: Is this chiefly a fangirl experience? Is it equally a guys and girls thing? Mostly folks under 25, or is it pretty much spread across the range of demographics?

#13

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 8:13pm

I have a friend in Texas that gets all excited when I send her autographed Broadway items. So, I often ask for an extra Playbill (or pick one up from the floor on my way out). I actually have a stack waiting to be sent to her for her next birthday.

Personally, I only stage door if there's someone I truly wish to meet, if I already personally know someone, or there's someone my sister wants to meet.

Stage-dooring does sque younger but there's a decent age range - especially if someone is an established star.

It can also be a nice way to meet other fans. I've met a few BWW folks and I even made new friends. All my "theatre" friends are people I met at shows.

"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".

#14

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 8:17pm

I used to stage door often. I used to keep a large playbill collection. Now I only do it every once in a blue moon. Recently, I lingered behind the crowd at the ANNIE stage door after seeing Jane's opening night. I just wanted to see if she'd come out. She didn't, and I also met some raving lunatics (Glee fans?). I feel bad for the actors who have to deal with some of these people. Yikes.

#15

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 8:37pm

I used to do it all the time, but kind of slowed down my senior year of high school and then stopped doing it altogether once I began college. I have fond memories (and pictures) of meeting some of my favorite actors from when I did it, but now I really only prefer to meet performers when I'm introduced to them through mutual friends (even if that only rarely happens).

#16

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 9:03pm

I never did it until my wife and I took our daughters to their first Broadway show when they were teenagers. They did not want to do it for every show and they politely got their Playbill signed and said thank you. When they got a bit older and over their shyness they did ask nicely for a picture once in awhile and every actor/actress were always very nice to them. Their were a couple of occasions where they actually had a quick chat with a few people, Jonathan Groff and Alice Ripley come to mind. I guess to answer the question I am fine with people doing it as long as they do not act crazy. I will also say that I do not think any less of a performer if they do not want to do the stage door thing. BTW - My wife and I never got Playbill signed, we just took the picture of our daughters with actor/actress.

#17

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 9:21pm

I only go to the stage door if I know one of the performers and s/he is expecting me.

Even then I find it embarrassing.

What am I going to say that hasn't been said 1,000 times before? I'm not going to criticize the show to a performer or production member in the middle of a run. That isn't fair, since they have to do another performance the following day. I'm particularly not going to say anything negative in front of other members of the cast or public.

Even praise may be problematic if what I say conflicts with the directions being given by those in charge.

So I'm left with bland pleasantries and only rarely do I have a new one. This leaves me painfully aware I'm "performing", and hence, the embarrassment.

Whenever possible, I arrange to meet a friend somewhere after the show where I can have a more relaxed and honest conversation. (I still don't criticize the performer her/himself in the middle of a run.)

#18

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 9:45pm

I personally like stage dooring. SamIAm2, I like the way you expressed yourself. (This is in Dallas with Terra C MacLeod: a very nice person.)

"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)

Updated On: 6/6/13 at 09:45 PM

#19

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 9:57pm

i like stagedooring. It gives me a window into the world i so long to be a part of. After telling a performer how much i have enjoyed and admired their performance, I have had a couple ask me if i was an actor/dancer. When i say yes, i have noticed they love to give advice which i joyfully take note of. I am not one to fan girl but i think it is nice to tell a performer if they have moved you, but i always say it in a calm, appreciative fashion.

[believe]

#20

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 10:01pm

Sometimes I do; sometimes I don't.

I remember waiting by the stage door of "Elf" this year, and tons of people were wanting to meet Wayne Knight. Personally, I didn't care if I did or not. I chatted with a couple of ensemble members and one of them grabbed me and gave me a hug saying I made his night simply by recognizing his performance and that of the ensemble members.

I think it is *incredibly* rude for adults go to a stage door and demand autographs from people when they don't even know their name though, as I saw at "Motown" (when some people didn't even know who the actor portrayed in the show, only that he was in it and demanded photos)!

#21

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 10:14pm

Personally, it doesn't interest me. I used to do it when I was a crazy teenager. Now it just seems weird to hang around for a half an hour just to say hi and get an autograph. Almost every stage door I've done the actors always appear dead-tired and like they want to gtfo there, so I'd rather just leave them alone.

I once knew someone who stage-doored Wicked so many times that she actually thought she was friends with one of the actresses. She would send her personal letters and everything. It was so creepy.

Stagedooring is not a bad thing at all, but...you have to draw a line somewhere.

Whoever says money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to shop. - Bo Derek

#22

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 10:17pm

I did it for the first time this past Sunday for the National Tour of Wicked. There was a huge crowd, and everyone was excited but mostly (more on that later) well-behaved. Every single person who came out through the Stage Door got cheered/clapped for. I didn't get signatures from everyone because not everyone stopped to sign programs/take pictures, but that's fine. I'm just fine with who I did get. I made sure to politely ask the cast members who did sign, say something about their performance, and thank them after they finished signing my playbill. They spent the last three hours entertaining me, so the least I can do is have some manners. And I really enjoyed getting to tell the new Elphaba, Allison Luff, how much I enjoyed her in the role, and hear John Davidson (Wizard) gush about how much he loves being in the show and grin when everyone cheered for him.

Not everyone was quite so polite, though- when Kim Zimmer (Morrible) came out, there was an older man behind me who was a diehard fan of her from her soap days, and he nearly trampled a few young girls when he lunged forward to get her autograph. And then he spent several minutes gushing over her, and tried to pull her into the crowd for a private conversation. Kind of ridiculous, really.

I might do it again in October, when Book of Mormon comes to town. I seriously doubt it'll be a regular occurrence, though.

#23

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 11:22pm

I am on the shady side of middle age and I still like to occasionally go to the stage door. I've introduced out of town friends to the practice and, years later, they still talk about 'meeting' Harvey Fierstein or John Lloyd Young and then watching them subsequently win the Tony.

Oftentimes, I'll just hang back and observe the crowd. It's like Act III sometimes. I love the energy that the young people exhibit when they see a favorite show of theirs. Generally I won't bother with an autograph, unless it's a big star like Angela Lansbury or Chita Rivera. If an actor is leaving the show, I do make a point of congratulating them on their final performance (John Tartaglia, Jason Tam), or telling an understudy how much I enjoyed their performance (Yuka Takara, Taylor Frey, Rich Ceraulo). I've been fortunate to meet great people of the theater, such as Joseph Stein and Jerry Herman, just by hanging out quietly at the stage door. And Alvin Ing invited me for drinks one night after FLOWER DRUM SONG in Sacramento (he doesn't drink and I was driving, so we just had coffee, but what a thrill that was).

And, yes, sometimes I will go to the stage door just to get the autograph of an actor who I just find so irresistibly handsome, I simply must meet them in person (I'm talking about you BD Wong, Cheyenne Jackson, and Telly Leung)

'Our whole family shouts. It comes from us livin' so close to the railroad tracks'

#24

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/5/13 at 11:59pm

MARGO CHANNING:
Autograph fiends! They're not people--those little beasts who run in packs like coyotes--

KAREN:
They're your fans, your audience--

MARGO:
They're nobody's fans! They're juvenile delinquents, mental detectives, they're nobody's audience, they never see a play or a movie, even - they're never indoors long enough!

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

#25

How do you feel about going to the stage door?

Posted: 6/6/13 at 12:10am

I used to stage door after most shows, but it's been happening less often recently. It's great seeing and congratulating actors after the show, and getting a Playbill or window card signed, but I find it's not really enjoyable when there's a large crowd. I also get this feeling that once I get something signed, I want it to be as complete as possible, which then stresses me out if I'm missing a few autographs (I know...kind of strange). So, to save myself from getting that feeling, I'm now trying to avoid the stage door. But I'll still do it if I want to see a particular actor. Also, at the Matilda stage door, there was a group of teenagers, and one guy in particular was fan-boying like crazy...he saw Andrew Keenan-Bolger hanging outside the theatre waiting for Ryan Steele, and made a huge deal about it. It kind of made me feel awkward being there...

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