Sending a Note Backstage

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 9:40am

I got to wondering...

I recently wrote to a cast member in one of the currently running musicals (and to those few who may be familiar with my posting history...no, it isn't who you think ), and was fortunate enough to receive a handwritten letter from him in response. At the end, he said that if I were to ever return to see the show, to please send a note backstage, as he'd love to say hello.

Although, unfortunately, I doubt I will ever be in a position to take him up on it, it made me wonder about the "protocol" for sending a note backstage. Does one give the note to the guard at the stage door after the performance? To an usher beforehand? Just curious!

[Nydiva]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 10:13am

I've been in this sort of situation before. It's best to send the note at the stage door just BEFORE the performance. That way, it'll be read at intermission and your name can be left at the stage door to be let back after the show.

An alternate would be giving it to the House Manager, but not to an usher; they don't have the same access that a HM or Stage Door guy has.

Nydiva

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 10:16am

Nydiva, thank you! I've always wondered myself, too!

[nmartin]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 10:20am

Memo to Lady of the Lake: I trust you were up till the wee hours perfecting How to Die Onstage. If done correctly, all is ease and comfort.

[MTRBOI24]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 10:28am

Kristin Chenoweth's mother herslef told me.....
People dont know this but you can send notes backstage to performers and tell them you are a performer/theatre student and they would take you backstage. How you word the letter, i dont know. But that is from KC's mother herself.

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 10:36am

Thanks for the information, Nydiva. Hopefully one day I will be in a position to use it!

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 10:38am

"Memo to Lady of the Lake: I trust you were up till the wee hours perfecting How to Die Onstage. If done correctly, all is ease and comfort."

Even with a dagger sticking out of one's chest.

[ticenewyorkcity]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 12:11pm

while Kristen may be as nice as to take fan's back stage some people won't. I have never had any trouble dropping a note off. I usually do it about 5 to 10 minutes BEFORE half-hour that way it is in their mail box before the show.

[CJR]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 12:14pm

Yes, doing this the day of the show is best..... watch it, however, because if the actor/actress gets mass amounts of fan mail the way I know the cast of (for example) Spamalot does, it's very unlikely the note will be read at intermission.... in that case, it might be wise to send a note before you get there, telling them the show you'll be attending and then maybe drop a note at the stage door a few hours before the show and tell the guard the actor is expecting it. The actor will then get the note the moment they walk in.

Updated On: 6/9/05 at 12:14 PM

[hawkeyemania]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 12:14pm

My theatre group got backstage at Hairspray by talking to the guy at the stage door, it was great.

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 6:16pm

Thanks for the additional info, CJR. I'm starting to try to work out ways to get back to NYC and to the show...this would be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

But not so easy - or inexpensive - to pull off. {sigh}

[CJR]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 6:25pm

No problem... I see it all the time, and frankly, this is stuff I wouldn't know if I didnt. A lot of times people don't realize just how much of a madscene it is backstage at call or during intermission.

Where are you coming from, if you don't mind my asking?

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 7:19pm

I live in south Florida. I had a 3 day visit to NYC back in April, and I loved every minute of it...saw three shows, and was in my glory! But boy, I went through some serious cash to do it - not least because I paid full price for all three shows ("Spamalot", "DRS" and "Spelling Bee").

It was a good thing I enjoyed each of them...

I never imagined I would possibly have a shot at getting backstage. The more I think about it, the more I want to find a way to do it.

[jaded_october]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 7:40pm

ooh... im going to new york in a week. maybe i should write to someone backstage and tell them in a theatre student... i would love to go backstage.

[CJR]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 7:52pm

From someone who's spent a lot of time backstage at various Broadway theatres, it's really not all it's cracked up to be. It's small, crowded and hectic. Hanging out in an actor's dressing room is one thing -- but it's nothing spectacular. There *are* green rooms or common rooms, but typically it looks like a bare rec room that someone might have in their basement.

There's on Broadway house where I spend a lot of time backstage.... and frankly, I spend the majority of the time feeling like I'm in the way.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 7:57pm

I've been backstage at one of the biggest theatres, and yes, it's pretty cramped. It's very cool, especially because I got a neat little tech tour, and got to stand on the stage, but it's a little intimidating, being in such territory.

Anyway, I recently dropped off a gift and had it sent backstage. I just gave it to the guard, and it safely arrived in the correct hands.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 8:04pm

What if there is no guard at the stage door? Who would you give the note to?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 8:06pm

I went early in the day, and there was nobody outside, so I went inside - there's a big desk right when you walk in at this theatre, so I knew I could go there. Not all of the theatres are set up that way, though, so I don't know.

[CJR]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 8:10pm

There's always a guard at the door. It depends on the theatre what time they get there, but there has to be a guard at the stage door. If there isn't, it's usually because they've gone to do something in another part of the theatre or run to the bathroom or something.

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 8:11pm

emcee- might i ask to whom the gift was for?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 8:12pm

I give you two guesses. Via PM.

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 8:16pm

lol ok, will PM you.

[CJR]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 8:31pm

By the way, Emcee is correct that the backstage of all theatres are not set up the same. Which theatre are you looking to drop a note off at, Lady of the Lake?

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 8:36pm

The Shubert, CJR.

[CJR]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 8:37pm

Ah, my theatre. :) Are you on AIM? IM me -- ShubertGoddess -- and I'll fill you in