Sending Fanmail and getting back playbills.

[Adescalzo14]

Posted: 8/29/18 at 9:39pm

Hello. So I've been reading and watching videos about how to send fan mail and getting something back and I'm so confused. Like I want a playbill back signed by them but am I supposed to give them an envelope to put it in and how would I put that in a tiny white envelope. It would be so helpful if someone could explain this to me as if I was a 10 year old? (I'm not 10 btw)

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/29/18 at 9:56pm

My eight year old grandson knows that envelopes come in different sizes. Try one of the manila envelopes with the metal clasps.

You're welcomed, I'm sure.

Updated On: 8/29/18 at 09:56 PM

[BroadwayNoob]

Posted: 8/29/18 at 10:00pm

I use the 6x9 manilla envelopes, and send one to the theater with another one addressed to me, folded in half on the inside. I got a couple packs of 6 at Dollar Tree and they work just fine

[ImAProphet]

Posted: 8/29/18 at 10:02pm

Put it in a bigger envelope, or fold up the Playbill envelope inside your letter-size envelope. I've had success with both.

[msmp]

Posted: 8/29/18 at 10:34pm

BroadwayNoob said: "I use the 6x9 manilla envelopes, and send one to the theater with another one addressed to me, folded in half on the inside. I got a couple packs of 6 at Dollar Tree and they work just fine"

This has always been my method. I've used a 9x12 if I'm sending fan-art or something special too, and in that case I don't fold the 6x9 and just slide it inside.

[klinnerz]

Posted: 8/29/18 at 10:42pm

I've only sent in a letter once but never a Playbill. What usually happens? Can I get my Playbill signed by specific cast members? Is there a chance I'll never get my playbill back again? Or get it back with no signatures? haha sorry for all the questions. I was thinking of sending my Playbill to the Carousel company as Joshua never came out to greet fans. 

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 8/29/18 at 10:51pm

To get an idea of how much postage to place on an envelope, take a 6x9 envelope, your most-pages Playbill, and an adorable solicitation note, to any post office as a sample. The clerk will be able to give you an idea of the cost - maybe a few Forever stamps.

You can then place your unsealed 6x9 addressed and stamped envelope into a 9x12 envelope to the theatre of your choice. With postage of course!

[BroadwayNoob]

Posted: 8/29/18 at 10:58pm

klinnerz said: "I've only sent in a letter once but never a Playbill. What usually happens? Can I get my Playbill signed by specific cast members? Is there a chance I'll never get my playbill back again? Or get it back with no signatures? haha sorry for all the questions. I was thinking of sending my Playbill to the Carousel company as Joshua never came out to greet fans."

 

Send a letter requesting a playbill - not the playbill itself. It could get lost in the mail, or you might never get it back. I sent out two requests in early June and haven't gotten them back yet. Still cross my fingers every time I open the mailbox lol

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/30/18 at 1:08am

There's a massive thread on how to do this, what to do, and every possible step/consideration...

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=872593

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/30/18 at 1:05pm

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 8/30/18 at 5:23pm

Wait.

 

You have to watch a video to figure out how to send a SASE to the theater?

I weep for the future of our country.

[atuomala]

Posted: 8/31/18 at 12:24pm

If you’re asking for a cast-signed playbill, your package should contain:

1 letter describing your request
1 SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) containing at least 2 stamps to accommodate the extra postage for the playbill. The envelope should be at least 6x9 and you can fold it to fit into whatever size envelope you’re sending.

You can send both of those things for the cost of one postage stamp, and your package should be addressed to the Stage Manager, using the theater address as the recipient address:

(Example)
MEAN GIRLS
c/o Stage Manager
August Wilson Theatre
245 W 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019

Do NOT send them a blank playbill in this case. It will be discarded and replaced with an already prepared cast-signed playbill if they have them.

If you’re asking for just one cast member in particular, you do the same as above, but instead address it to the name of the cast member and not the Stage Manager. In this case, it is appropriate to include an unsigned playbill for them to sign (if that’s what you want).

[Gracie8]

Posted: 11/10/21 at 2:55am

I know this thread is a few years old, but thought this was a good place to ask; if I wanted to get something signed by the whole cast that isn't a Playbill who should I address it to? 

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/10/21 at 6:16am

Has anyone had success doing this since Broadway reopened?
 

Obviously stage doors are not fully a thing again yet, but I sent to Chicken & Biscuits and Thoughts of a Colored Man a few weeks ago and will be sending to American Utopia and Girl From The North Country later this week.

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/10/21 at 6:16am

Has anyone had success doing this since Broadway reopened?
 

Obviously stage doors are not fully a thing again yet, but I sent to Chicken & Biscuits and Thoughts of a Colored Man a few weeks ago and will be sending to American Utopia and Girl From The North Country later this week.

[adotburr]

Posted: 11/10/21 at 6:56am

quizking101 said: "Has anyone had success doing this since Broadway reopened?


Obviously stage doors are not fully a thing again yet, but I sent to Chicken & Biscuits and Thoughts of a Colored Man a few weeks ago and will be sending to American Utopia and Girl From The North Country later this week."

Me!

I’ve heard back from Hadestown, The Lion King, and Aladdin. I’ve sent to stage managers asking only for updated playbills but 2 of them sent back cast signed playbills in return. I didn’t ask for them so it was out of kindness from the stage manager. I also sent to Chicken & Biscuits but haven’t heard back. 

[fosterfan2]

Posted: 11/10/21 at 5:59pm

A little off-topic,but does anyone know if Katrina Lenk answers fan mail? I got a nice email from her last year (2020) after donating to her for her team,"Bobbie's Buddies",on behalf of the Covenant House Sleepout that she and some fellow cast members participated in. Sadly,I won't be able to see Company,but I'd still like to write to her at the theater.

[Brad4815]

Posted: 11/10/21 at 7:13pm

fosterfan2 said: "A little off-topic,but does anyone know if Katrina Lenk answers fan mail? I got a nice email from her last year (2020) after donating to her for her team,"Bobbie's Buddies",on behalf of the Covenant House Sleepout that she and some fellow cast members participated in. Sadly,I won't be able to see Company,but I'd still like to write to her at the theater."

I sent her a Bands Visit playbill and Lights of Broadway card, I believe while she was still in Bands Visit, and she signed both. Can’t say if it’s still the case or not. 

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 11/10/21 at 9:05pm

I got an extra playbill at Waitress when I saw Jennifer Nettles, I sent it with a SASE to the theatre and got it back personalized today. I included a note. It took maybe a week to come back to me. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/11/21 at 12:48am

I just heard back from Thoughts of a Colored Man today! It was a nice surprise in my mailbox.