People going inside the stage door after shows?

[ChangingMyMajor]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 12:42pm

This might be a bit of a stupid question, but I've noticed that at many broadway stagedoors, there is a line, maybe 20 people long, that are let backstage in small groups. I have always been curious about this. Are these celebrities that I don't recognize? Are they friends of the cast? Did they pay extra? Did people just get there early and bribe the person working the door? How would an average theatregoer get in that line? What do they do in there?  Thanks in advance!

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 12:48pm

They're more often than not friends or family or colleagues. I've never heard of anyone just waiting at the stage door to go backstage if they're a random person. Celebrities maybe, too.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 12:59pm

Usually, they are people who have made arrangments, ahead of time, to visit a specific cast member backstage.  When I had the opportunity to visit backstage at the Ambassador (Chicago) this past Dec. 2016, I was told by one of the cast members to go to the stage door and announce myself on the intercom button that "I'm a guest of ______".  I went down this long pathway (almost an alley, really), took a left and went inside where the stage door person confirmed I was a guest of.  Soon afterwards, I met one of the Billy Flynn understudies.  I noticed that there was very little space in the area behind the stage.  He then showed me where to go and we proceeded to the actual stage.  I felt like Eve Harrington (without the hidden malice).  I had been on a stage before (Xanadu) and had been to a star's dressing room (Patti LuPone in Sweeney), but this was the first time I had an extended tour of an actual theatre stage.  That was the happiest post show experience I ever had.  He asked one of his cast member friends to take some pics.  Dylis Croman was there as well.  I took a jazz hands picture with her.  That was a trip.  I also asked for AFW's autograph, which she graciously provided.  Essentially, you have to be acquainted with one of the cast members of a show, in order to gain entry past the stage door and onto the backstage.  If you ever get the chance, it will be a magical experience.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 1:28pm

They're friends or family of cast and crew.  The average theatre goer does not get in that line.  Someone inside the theatre knows they are there and wants them inside after the show.

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 1:41pm

As they say "It's who you know." I've gone backstage several times for tours here in San Francisco thanks to a friend's contacts. 

True, the stage doors are not as busy or chaotic as NYC, and usually it's just my friend and me. 

I love meeting the actors, but am even more fascinated by the tech aspects, such as seeing massive set pieces hanging from chains, seeing how tight and compact the wings are and how everything fits in with shoehorn-like precision. 

If you get backstage, be mindful of a few things: If the crew is setting for the next performance don't get in their way. Don't take pictures unless you ask first. Even if you're chatting with a star it's proper to ask for a pic instead of putting your arm around him/her and saying 'Hey let's take a pic!' On two show days if you're visiting after the matinee the actors will likely want time to rest or dash out for a bite so don't jeopardize their time. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 1:53pm

You are simply seeing people who have some association with whoever is behind that stage door: family member, friend, associate, whatever with someone.  After a performance, stage door personnel is notified someone is outside the door.  I have a few friends in shows (past and present) and they know I'm stopping by to see them after a performance so I'm let in.  Nowadays I text I'm outside to my friend.  On most occasions the staff is already familiar with me so I can just open the stage door and walk in.  

No one is paying a premium Meet & Greet American Express package to go backstage.  That doesn't exist.  You need to know someone or someone needs to know you to let you into the stage door after a performance.  

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 2:24pm

Like the others have said, it is for people who know somebody in the cast.  I went back stage to one show because my wife knew cast member from her HS days.

[Public User]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 2:34pm

just kind of glom onto the group like you belong there.

[Rainah]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 2:37pm

Some shows will also take you backstage in exchange for a donation to BC/EFA or other charity. A friend of mine arranged that with Wicked so we're both going backstage when we're in town.

[youwillbefound2]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 3:18pm

I know two people that were let backstage in Miss Saigon by the stagedoor guards because they waited outside for a long time and looked like a huge fan... but I guess that's just luck.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 3:22pm

I can't imagine they'd just let 2 random fans wander around backstage....

My bestie is a stage manager, so I've been fortunate enough to go backstage multiple times. The best was probably for "Present Laughter." I knew the house manager from theater/acting and whatnot, so he provided me with free drinks, and then let me go backstage after the show to meet my friend, and I waited in the "champagne room" - they don't call it a green room. There's two couches, a bathroom, and a fridge with champagne. I walked into the room and Kelly Ripa and her husband were having champagne. And then in walked Cobie Smoulders and they all chatted, then as my friend is coming to get me, Keven Kline just walks on by. Very cool!

[youwillbefound2]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 3:30pm

RippedMan said: "I can't imagine they'd just let 2 random fans wander around backstage....

"

Well, they were waiting by the stagedoor for a long time before the show even let out and they were talking to the security guards about how much they love the show, etc. and they had tweeted Eva Noblezada that they were there and Eva tweeted them back, so I guess the security guard recognized them maybe.

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 3:39pm

Hmm...you can barely bring nail clippers in the theater's front door, yet a stage door guard let two random strangers just traipse in the back door of a major Broadway house? Unless Eva came out to escort them based on the tweets, I think the story you heard might be a tall tale. 

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 4:01pm

youwillbefound2 said: "RippedMan said: "I can't imagine they'd just let 2 random fans wander around backstage....

"

Well, they were waiting by the stagedoor for a long time before the show even let out and they were talking to the security guards about how much they love the show, etc. and they had tweeted Eva Noblezada that they were there and Eva tweeted them back, so I guess the security guard recognized them maybe.

 

"

Wait, was this the person who complained about barely getting to meet anyone, even though they got to go backstage? Because the tea was piping about that last night.

[youwillbefound2]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 4:43pm

PatrickDC said: "Hmm...you can barely bring nail clippers in the theater's front door, yet a stage door guard let two random strangers just traipse in the back door of a major Broadway house? Unless Eva came out to escort them based on the tweets, I think the story you heard might be a tall tale. 

 

"

It's not a tall tale I saw the pictures on their Twitter and Instagram. I'd rather not reveal the account to respect their privacy though..

 

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 4:44pm

Trust me, it's not a tall tale. There was tea

[youwillbefound2]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 4:48pm

BroadwayRox3588 said: "Trust me, it's not a tall tale. There was tea

 

"

I don't know if the person I'm talking about is the same person you're talking about 

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 4:51pm

It might be, they sound like very similar instances. Or maybe the security guard at the Broadway is just really really nice.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 5:20pm

Just really nice?! I'd hate to be in the show and have two random people walking around backstage where all my valuables are...'

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 5:32pm

Plus, couldn't the security guard be fired for letting strangers in and walk around backstage? What's that expression, "You had one job to do ... " 

 

[10086Sundays]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 5:48pm

youwillbefound2 said: "PatrickDC said: "Hmm...you can barely bring nail clippers in the theater's front door, yet a stage door guard let two random strangers just traipse in the back door of a major Broadway house? Unless Eva came out to escort them based on the tweets, I think the story you heard might be a tall tale. "

It's not a tall tale I saw the pictures on their Twitter and Instagram. I'd rather not reveal the account to respect their privacy though.."

Nothing's private on the internet. Took about 2 minutes to find them.

[youwillbefound2]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 6:12pm

PatrickDC said: "Plus, couldn't the security guard be fired for letting strangers in and walk around backstage? What's that expression, "You had one job to do ... " 

 

 

"

They didn't let them roam back stage by themselves, they took them on a tour. Also, if you really want to find the proof (the picture) like the person above said, it will take about two minutes if you try hard enough.

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 6:47pm

I feel like this is one of those threads where BWW and Bway stan Twitter meet, and I love when that happens :)

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 11:01am

"just kind of glom onto the group like you belong there."

Yeah...don't do that.

"They didn't let them roam back stage by themselves, they took them on a tour. "

This happens quite often, actually. It isn't the kind of thing you can set up, though. You just have to meet the right person. 

 

[sorano916]

Posted: 8/27/17 at 11:38am

I got three stories about how I visited backstage:

Several years ago, my friends and I befriended one of the stagedoor guys at St. James. If you know the setup of that theatre, there are two stagedoors: one that is used for stagedooring and one that's connected to the stage. He was at the latter. Anyways, he would let my friends and I go on stage via that door. He took us on tours of the backstage, show us the props and the onstage band area. We probably went back there like four times, usually bringing along another friend.

At another show, a lady that I babysat for had Facebooked an actor and asked if it would be possible for her and her daughter to visit backstage. He said sure. Unfortunately, her daughter got the flu the week of and the actor was leaving the show so it couldn't be rescheduled. So, my friend and I went to the show & had the backstage tour instead.

At another show, I was at stagedoor just because and I recognize the mother of one of the lead actresses. We had met previously at other shows that her daughter did. Anyways, when the actress came out and after she stagedoored, she was bringing her family backstage but told me to come along as well. We didn't go on stage but to the dressing rooms. It was the day before Opening so she showed her outfit that she was going to wear. It was highly unexpected but very sweet for her to include me.