Hugging Actors At Stage Door

i saw some guy do this at a stage door yesterday and the actor just looked Uncomfortable.My thoughts on this unless the actor goes in for the hug DON'T DO IT

Even worse the guy did not even see the show he had pictures from Movies they were in

I think it is only okay under two circumstances:

You ask before it happens.

Maybe, it's possible that the actor initiates it. But I think the first one is more likely. I haven't seen many actors do this, except maybe Christy Altomare?

ALWAYS, ALWAYS ask permission first. If they say no, that's it.

You people have this all twisted around. When I hug an actor at the stage door, I am not hugging them. I am hugging their character and what they went through in the show, and how I related to it. Hugging the actor would be totally weird and inappropriate.

Dave13 said: "That’s certainly uncalled for. There are idiots in every crowd. You would think the barricades would prevent that, but I guess not."

off broadway no barricades

as the actor was walking away the guy just reached in for the hug



what made it more awkward her boyfriend was standing right there!

I have never initiated a hug at stage door. However, last summer when at stage door after I saw Hamilton in Chicago again, I got emotional and started crying while talking to one of the actors and he hugged me. I get passionate about certain shows and the tears just flow. Hamilton is my favorite show and while the first time I saw it felt like a natural extension of having Obama in the White House, now it feels even more vital in our current political environment so that’s what cues the tears at stage door when I’m relating that. Okay, I know that was long-winded. Sorry...

The only other thing related that I can think of as far as hugging is earlier year in February, after Network we were told that Bryan Cranston would come out but we were in no way supposed to touch him. And that his assistant would take pics of us with him using our phones. So it comes my time to get my picture with Mr. Cranston and as I recall he puts his hand on my back and I instinctively put my hand around his waist or on his back (as I would with someone I know next to me during a pic) and then I kind of gasped and said “oh my God I’m so sorry I touched you.” He laughed it off and didn’t seem to mind but I was apologetic.

Updated On: 6/3/19 at 11:18 AM

And NEVER "Joe Biden" them!

I will NEVER EVER understand the need to stage door. I go see a show and go home.

If I know someone in the cast I NEVER go back stage. I do what normal friends do, chat on the phone and meet wherever suits but never at their place of work.

SweetLips22 said: "If I know someone in the cast I NEVER go back stage. I do what normal friends do, chat on the phone and meet wherever suits but never at their place of work."

Hmm, usually people I know have said to be sure to come backstage after the show?!

Broadway is a stressful work environment and requires actors to be in their peak condition, much like athletes, to make their living. They spend most of their days huddled together in cramped conditions in an old building which does nothing good for their health anyways without randos hugging them every day. (inb4 someone says, "Well, they shouldn't stage door at all then if they're so precious about their health." Yeah, because people on social media are very forgiving of that.)

Not at stagedoor per say, but I've hugged a few actors despite not being a real hugger.

The one that always comes to mind was how practically the full cast of Be More Chill off-Broadway hugged me at their June meet and greet last year. They were glad I brought the book and knew a lot about the show since I was a huge fan back then (Which I'm not anymore actually, but it's still nice.)

My favorite hug was definitely when I spotted Will Roland at Hadestown and went over just to say hi and appreciate his work in Hansen, as many others were doing, and surprisingly enough he recognized me from the aforementioned meet and greet and hugged me, stating how kind and dedicated I must be to his work. He's probably the sweetest actor I've ever met and it was very touching that HE was the one to offer the hug AND remember my name.

I don't remember being involved in a hug at SpongeBob, but the group of girls next to me kept squealing and hugging the actors. It wasn't appropriate, but the actors seemed very happy about it, and it's expected at a show like Spongebob.

The only hugging scenario I think is appropriate and polite would be if the actor initiates it (as Will Roland did) or if you ASK first and it is not the first time meeting the actor. Otherwise it's a bit out of bounds to expect a hug.

Tom5 said: "There's one big name actor I know who has his own stage door rule: No tongues and no exceptions. The nerve!"

I was going to say avoid French kissing or cutting snippets of hair with a pocket knife or scissors . And I would not give them any arts and crafts you have made in your garage or homemade liquor concoctions as well as any sausage and cheese platters because many are vegetarian. I think Miss Manners has a column of this.



This is the most original thread of the week. Bravo!