Should "Stage Dooring" Be Required? — Page 2

I think the OP is right: if doctors and lawyers have to sign autographs after work because of their high salaries, why shouldn't actors?

I don't think it should be a requirement, but it does add a bit to the overall experience for me. One of the best things about theater that no other entertainment medium has is the chance for interaction between the performers and the audience, whether it be reactions during the performance or time at the stage door. Many of the actors I've been lucky enough to meet have said they like to meet the audience; it feels good to be told they did a good job, especially if they feel they had an off night. Some of the nicest people I've ever met are actors I've met at stage doors.Arequirement would take away some of the fun for both fans and actors; it would just be an obligation, not a choice.

Do you have a choice as far as genders go?

Not even species, actually...

A friend of mine worked at a Steakhouse and was required to hang around after work and have carnivore relations with his customers.

Stage dooring should not be a requirement. Audience members should consider themselves lucky that an oppurtunity like waiting at the stage door exists. I always stage door and it does add to the experience for me, but if someone doesn't come out I don't get angry. It's completely the choice of the actor as to whether or not they want to meet the fans. However if they do want to meet the fans, I don't think they should be rude about it. When I saw Reeve Carney come out of the Spider-Man stage door he jumped over the barricade and left without signing anything. If he didn't want to sign anything that's fine, but he could've used another exit or just walked out rather than make a scene of himself.

I think performers should be required to only stagedoor and sign autographs, and they shouldn't have to perform at all.

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The expectation of an autograph at the Stage Door is a chaste reminder of what "Stage Door Johnnies" used to expect from the performers they were waiting for. But back then they knew they'd have to give something TO the performer if they wanted something back. They weren't demanding somethin' for nothin'.

The only thing worse than people who make stagedooring the most major part of their attending a show is people who stagedoor for shows they didn't even attend.

This is the most outrageous and disgusting thread I have ever seen on this board.
How dare you even suggest that after actors have worked a very difficult job, non-stop for hours, and dont finish til late at night, should be forced to then make small talk and pleasantries to a bunch of enthused, high-energy, fans.

Yes, stage dooring is a nice thing, and is very nice of the actors if they do participate, but it is, and SHOULD be there choice whether they should get barricaded by people on the way home from there work!

I think the only way you could seriously post this thread is if you are a child, who has no grasp on the professional world, or as somebody soo deluded by the boundaries of pleasantries and friendship, that you get upset every time an actor doesnt want to be your new "best friend"

Either way, take this as a lesson, go back, look at yourself and think twice before posting such obscene thread, on a "serious" message board.

"Consider myself lucky that they are even giving me the time of day? They should consider themselves lucky that I pay $130 to see them act! They are paid to be public figures and I do believe autographs come with the overall experience. That can make or break a theater goers experience with a show.

And the actors don't have to "pretend to be your friends", only sign the pictures and autographs that people are entitled to. Plus sometimes it's nice to meet actors even for a show you didn't see. I think it helps the communal aspects of Broadway and building the theater as a warm, welcoming place. It's pretty despicable that some actors don't stage door... after all who's supporting their celebrity status?

I know i've begun to send around a petition to a number of Broadway producers and a couple already support my ideas."

If an autograph makes or breaks your enjoyment of the show, then you have issues. It makes it sound like you go there not caring about the show itself but rather about the stuff you receive.

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I'm paying a *fortune* to "Company" next week.

I believe that entitles me to have Neil Patrick Harris accompany me home and sing me to sleep after the performance. It's the least he can do after I've shelled out all dough!

I don't think my husband would mind......


(my serious answer---stage dooring should NEVER be a given. If the actor chooses to do it, it's nice for the fans, but if they choose NOT to, they shouldn't be made to feel at all guilty. They've already given what's "expected" of them----their performance.)

How appalling is this OP?
It's simply a nice gesture by the performers, and some fans think its cool to have a memento signed by the cast. But to make this MANDATORY is a horrible thought, since it turns an otherwise nice gesture into a legally-binding action.

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