No stage door now how will people get an autograph

First of all, as many people (particularly Hogan) have already said in many other threads, we're unlikely to get a socially distanced version of Broadway. Broadway will return when it's safe for people to be in a crowded room together, and by that point, people crowding at a stage door won't be a safety issue.

BUT, in the HYPOTHETICAL situation where Broadway does a full return without stage dooring, the short answer is: people should just suck it up and get used to being happy with the performance alone (I say this as someone who still occasionally goes to the stage door, though far less frequently than when I was a teenager).

As others have said, if people insist on getting autographs, they can still do fan-mail and/or pre-signed merch. And in fact, relegating it to BC/EFA sales would be a great way to boost donations, because there won't be an alternative way of getting things signed.

As for the logistic issues with "eliminating" the stage door: I'm assuming there will still be stage-door staff to shoo people away, but that won't stop people from hanging out further away. It does pose a particular issue for some shows without big stars. When it comes to shows with big stars, I'm assuming what will happen is that there will still be barricades set up like a gauntlet leading from the door to the actors' car. And that way they can make a b-line without being disturbed. Many stars already do this. But not everyone can get a car in their contract, so they'd have to walk out into the street at some point. A huge portion of actors on Broadway will be able to utilize alternate exits to sneak away, but some theatres only have 1 exit. I guess in those cases, they will have to either rely on the staff to adequately intimate people away, or they'll have to rely on people's good sense to stay away once directed to do so (Yikes! We're doomed!).

Updated On: 7/23/20 at 06:28 PM

Broadway61004 said: "I think the issue with "eliminating the stage door" is that's not really a possibility. Yes, there will be no more barricades up with a designated "stand here for an autograph" area, but it's not as though the stage doors are closed off to the rest of the world,meaning anyone walking down the street can stop near the door and still see their favorite actors coming out. I hope people don't suddenly just rush the doors when this happens, but in some ways, I almost feel like "eliminating the stage door" actually makes this more dangerous for the actors. Because the stage door will still be there, but now there will be no organized "keep this far away from it". I certainly hope I'm wrong, but it will be interesting to see."

They will have security to make sure that does not happen and people don't gather. Crowds will understand they have to leave, shows over, and they cannot loiter. As it should be.

One of the things I always enjoyed about the stage door is how accessible it made these actors seem. I'm a country music fan, and you wouldn't see someone like Kenny Chesney or Dolly Parton just coming out the back of the stadium or amphitheater after the show to meet people. It was always very cool for me that Broadway people could just come out the stage door and talk to the people with whom they shared their artistic experience. While I totally understand the safety issues, and while I don't want to say the stage door is, to quote hearthemsing22, "the most important thing", I do think it's a sad loss for those who enjoyed it. I'd be interested to hear some actors' opinions on it, as most of the commentary I've seen has been from people who are on the "audience" side of the barricade. While the stage door isn't anyone's biggest concern, this is a Broadway board, designed to talk about every aspect of Broadway. You can expect people to talk about developments on Broadway and changes to the "usual" theatre experience.

" Do people think stagedoor experiences would eventually return a couple months after opening or are they gone for years to come? "

If there ever was a time to stop the stagedoor experience it will be now. Even a year from now, how comfortable will actors be getting that up close to hundreds of people. I guess we will see but I bet it will be quite a while after Broadway re-opens for it to possibly return to the way things were before the virus.

MollyJeanneMusic said: "One of the things I always enjoyed about the stage door is how accessible it made these actors seem. I'm a country music fan, and you wouldn't see someone like Kenny Chesney or Dolly Parton just coming out the back of the stadium or amphitheater after the show to meet people. It was always very cool for me that Broadway people could just come out the stage door and talk to the people with whom they shared their artistic experience. While I totally understand the safety issues, and while I don't want to say the stage door is, to quote hearthemsing22, "the most important thing", I do think it's a sad loss for those who enjoyed it. I'd be interested to hear some actors' opinions on it, as most of the commentary I've seen has been from people who are on the "audience" side of the barricade. While the stage door isn't anyone's biggest concern, this is a Broadway board, designed to talk about every aspect of Broadway. You can expect people to talk about developments on Broadway and changes to the "usual" theatre experience."

Molly, A quick story to share. Some years back, I attended a Today show concert with Kenny Chesney. About 15 minutes after the show, I thought I dropped a lens cover and walked back to the concert. I was actually walking on the covered walkway and ran right into Kenny, walking by himself, to his tour bus. I'm 6'3 and he is like "shorter", but I was more startled than he was. All I could think of, was, "Hey Kenny". Then he said, "Hey back". It was so unexpected.

Updated On: 7/23/20 at 08:38 PM

I agree with Jordan that once the virus is in the rear view mirror, this new rule (like all of these other silly rules being made for a scenario that I am positive will never occur) will go the way of the dodo bird. That said, it is no secret around here that if I had my way, the stage door "tradition" would also go the way of the dodo bird, and I am not convinced that that is not in the minds of whoever floated this notion.

@sparksatmidnight just out of curiosity, how are these cast members going to get to the van without running the same gauntlet of stage door denizens?

Yes, there is a real disconnect in some things people are saying right now. When people can get close enough to go to the theatre together again, they will also be riding the subway (which is already getting kinda crowded at certain hours) and among those on the subway will be the same actors that these silly rules are supposed to "protect." From what?

Meanwhile we have a piece on this page right now about our favorite Tory asking for dates when theatres in the UK can reopen without safeguards. Seriously? How about let's get dates when it's safe and then start thinking about lifting safeguards. True colors showing there ALW. More like Wrong Honourable.

Updated On: 7/23/20 at 10:18 PM

It would absolutely touch my heart if the pre-existing shows start posting "Thank You, Fans" montages/collages of memorable stage door moments, because chances are most of those shows will not live to see the day this tradition returns, if it ever does. Captions would be relevant show or song quotes that can easily be attributed to each fanbase and how meaningful/special they are.

They can't be too vague with the messages, though. You don't want to give the false impression that your show is closing. Play around with something like, "The safety and security of every individual is our #1 priority" with friendly reminders to follow the show/cast social media handles, and send snail mail.

HogansHero said: "I agree with Jordan that once the virus is in the rear view mirror, this new rule (like all of these other silly rules being made for a scenario that I am positive will never occur) will go the way of the dodo bird. That said, it is no secret around here that if I had my way, the stage door "tradition" would also go the way of the dodo bird, and I am not convinced that that is not in the minds of whoever floated this notion.

@sparksatmidnight just out of curiosity, how are these cast members going to get to the van without running the same gauntlet of stage door denizens?"

most musicals have a cast of twenty-something. You need a big bus. Doesn't seem feasible to me.