Something strang happened to me at the stage door of The Little Mermaid — Page 2

Box Office /Stage Door in person.

Do people pay a lot on ebay for Little Mermaid autographs?

I'm coming from the other side of the spectrum, meaning theater management. In general, although it's not illegal, there are people who are professional about hanging around theaters, not seeing shows, yet collecting multitudes of autographs in order to sell them and profit. They are not looked upon kindly by the actors nor theater management. This may explain the attitude at the stage door.

I believe the stage doormen are employed by the theaters and not the productions. The way to lodge a complaint would be to the administration of the theater. If their phone number isn't available, you can mail them.

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"Also, if someone wants to just get autographs after the show for whatever reason why should the guy working the stage door care one way or another. It isn't against the law to get an autograph and sell it. It is your property and you can do what you wish with your property."

Well, there are those who find something morally wrong with not supporting theater, nor having any interest in it, but profiting from the name of a performer. If you don't, that's up to you.

I never said that you were one of those professional autograph seekers. I said that because of them, the stagedoor man may have had an attitude.

I'm not your enemy, I gave you the way to contact the administration.

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The guy should not be there with this attitude, period. As someone who has done theatre management in the West End for over 20 years that guy would be spoken to seriously and probably moved on.
On my last few ventures to New York theatres it seems that heavy handed staff are becoming the norm there now what with you having to line up down the street , file in in single lines etc etc and all the time being spoken to like some naughty school kid. This doesn't happen in the West End of London, never has and probably never will.

I never said it was right but it isn't against the law to do so.

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Let it go.

Hmmm. The Little Mermaid stagedoor guy was quite terrifying when I went as well. You'd think they'd be nicer with so many little kids hanging around.

When I read the title of this thread, I thought it would be some sort of weird Equus-related thing because of the misspelling of 'strange', like Daniel Radcliffe stagedooring and hitting obnoxiously on Sierra Bogess or something...

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^ Or maybe a... lobster?

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You blinked first by allowing this (BLANK) to intimidate you into leaving. The best way to deal with this type is direct. "Yes, I was here in April (or whenever) Is that a problem?" You don't have to match his rudeness but be direct and FIRM with these people. And remind yourself they have no real power. Ignoring the idiot after that is your best recourse.

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Yes, the two users are in fact one in the same. I will PM you and thanks for your help.

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Stage door security varies from one theater to another. In some instances security is a joke, with very little guidance or protection offered to actors who may face fanatics who cross the line. In other instances, like yours, the staff is a little too diligent and takes it upon themselves to police the fans and decide who deserves attention and who does not.

Sometimes the actors get blamed for this as if it is the actor who dictates the attitude. If an actor has asked for specific behavior by security, the security staff may or may not accommodate the request though most will at least try. You should not be upset if the security team tries to control the crowd by putting them behind barriers or asking them to stand in line. It isn't done to be cruel or disrespectful. It is done to give everyone a chance to get an autograph or picture and to protect the actors.

It is true that the advent of autograph sales on auction sites is a problem. For most of us in theater it is an offense, especially when the autograph is requested by someone who didn't even see the show but just walked up to take advantage of the opportunity at the stage door. Theater professionals do not yet (and hopefully never will) charge for autographs, though sports figures and others have charged for some time. The idea was to force the autograph seeker to invest something in the autograph but the result of that is that the autograph seeker then charges more for the autograph to offset the charge so it really doesn't solve the problem.

Most actors appreciate a simple 'thank you' or 'I really liked your performance' and a simple autograph request. It gets out of control when the fan brings 3 or 4 things to sign, thereby taking time from others waiting for their turn and probably because they plan to sell one or more of the articles. Sometimes fans get a little too physical or demanding though usually it is not malicious. Occasionally someone does get malicious or even physical though this is rare.

With all of that said you can understand where some overly zealous security people might cross the line. You do have the right to complain to the management and make them aware of the issue. Whether the security person is on a power trip or just doing what they feel is their job they should be counseled not to make the experience difficult. On the other hand if a fan is out of control or monopolizing an actor's time the security team should feel within their rights to step in. Good luck with the house management. I hope they will be solicitous and listen to your complaint.

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