#1
Posted: 4/10/19 at 10:18pm
Ive heard about stage dooring before a show, how does this work?
#2
Posted: 4/10/19 at 10:24pm
Don’t do that. Actors are preparing themselves for their job on way into the theater. Don’t bother them.
#3
Posted: 4/10/19 at 10:30pm
^people do stage door before a show but it's considered to be bad taste. Actors are heading into work, they could be running late, are already in performance mode, and are preparing for a two and a half hour show. Don't be surprised if actors refuse to sign and tell you to come back after the show. After the show, the actors are leaving work and they have more time to spare.
Darreyl with an L!
#4
Posted: 4/10/19 at 11:16pm
Some actors prefer to do it before a show. Ive done it a lot over the years and there was only one time someone (who’s just a real nasty woman to begin with) wouldn’t do it.
#6
Posted: 4/10/19 at 11:23pm
During LOVE LETTERS, Carol Burnett would only sign before a show and would have everyone come inside the theatre with her and line up. Then she would sign anything you had and take pics.
#7
Posted: 4/10/19 at 11:26pm
This is incredibly inappropriate and really shouldn't be something that anyone is doing. Several performers have stated their distaste for being stopped before a show and said that they feel pressured to sign, chat, take pictures, etc. when they really just want to get to work.
#8
Posted: 4/10/19 at 11:53pm
It has a different name before the show: stalking.
#9
Posted: 4/11/19 at 2:03am
I've done it myself. I find it to be a bit uncomfortable though but the person I wanted to see after the show had to run right after so they suggested I come to the door before the show.
Hi, I'm Val. Formerly DefyGravity777(I believe)
#10
Posted: 4/11/19 at 4:43am
There was an actor who has expressed how much they do not like it when people do this. They could be running late—is your saying hi really more important? Don’t do it. Plus, if it’s a well-liked actor you could cause other people to want them to say hi thus causing a bigger crowd. Don’t do it. Would you want someone to stop you if you were running late to work? It’s not an actor by actor case. This is universal.
#11
Posted: 4/11/19 at 8:27am
I will admit that I have done stage doored before a show either do to my flight occurring right after a show, or the actor prefers to stage door before. I do find it awkward and try my best to stage door after. There have been people though that have stated that they prefer to quickly sign a few things before a show than after. James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury (in her later roles ), Matthew Broderick are some that come to mind.
I will say though I tend to agree that it’s best after the show
I will say though I tend to agree that it’s best after the show
#12
Posted: 4/11/19 at 8:37am
Theatrefanboy1 said: "I will admit that I have done stage doored before a show either do to my flight occurring right after a show, or the actor prefers to stage door before. I do find it awkward and try my best to stage door after. There have been people though that have stated that they prefer to quickly sign a few things before a show than after. James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury (in her later roles ), Matthew Broderick are some that come to mind.
I will say though I tend to agree that it’s best after the show"
That must have been a one day exception type of thing. Typically, you want to respect the actors because you never know what's happening at the theater, and they could be running late (darn MTA), they could find it incredibly rude because their priority is not making sure you get your autograph quota because you have a flight to catch. Your situation does not excuse the fact that their priority is getting to the theater. Again, if you're there and there are other people waiting, this could delay the actors from getting to where they need to be. I don't want to say too bad if you can't go after the show, but if you can't...why not send a playbill to the theater with a self addressed stamped envelope for them to sign? If you want a photo, I don't want to say tough luck, but it might just be something you have to deal with. They have rehearsal, they could have a put-in for someone joining the cast-you never know the situation. Especially if they're in a rush. Please think about that--especially if it's someone whos in Wicked--think about it: someone playing Elphaba has to get to the theater, do their warm ups or whatever they do to get themselves ready for the show, AND they have to get painted green. That is a lengthy process. If you are single-minded and only care about meeting them pre-show, you could be throwing that process completely out of whack. It doesn't matter what other actors have allowed it--never, ever assume you can, or that you should. Common sense and decency. it doesn't matter if you can't go by after-there are other ways to get in touch with actors.
#13
Posted: 4/11/19 at 3:35pm
magictodo123 said: "especially if it's someone whos in Wicked--think about it: someone playing Elphaba has to get to the theater, do their warm ups or whatever they do to get themselves ready for the show, AND they have to get painted green. That is a lengthy process."
It was an Elphaba that asked me to come to the stagedoor before the show because she had family in and wouldn't be available after.
Hi, I'm Val. Formerly DefyGravity777(I believe)
#14
Posted: 4/11/19 at 4:10pm
A lot of people in his thread are citing specific examples of people who have expressed their opinion one way or the other, but I feel like that’s not really the point.
IMO, the key thing here is that there is an established, organized procedure for the post-show stage door. There are barricades, there’s, security, etc. and because of that organization, it’s easy for actors to opt in or opt out of the proceedings according to their preference. Before the show, there usually isn’t that same level of organization, so it’s easier for the actor to feel ambushed by people waiting.
I know that some shows anticipate this issue by putting up barricades before the show, but in my experience that’s more the reason exception than the rule.
IMO, the key thing here is that there is an established, organized procedure for the post-show stage door. There are barricades, there’s, security, etc. and because of that organization, it’s easy for actors to opt in or opt out of the proceedings according to their preference. Before the show, there usually isn’t that same level of organization, so it’s easier for the actor to feel ambushed by people waiting.
I know that some shows anticipate this issue by putting up barricades before the show, but in my experience that’s more the reason exception than the rule.
#15
Posted: 4/11/19 at 4:27pm
I usually try to keep an open mind to see both sides of everything... and maybe it's just my inner horrified introvert talking... but I find it astonishing that people are selfish enough to insist that their "need" for some autograph or photo overrides someone's right to go to work in peace. Stalking at the stagedoor afterward is annoying enough when surely most of them are tired and would just like to get home, but I get that it's become a thing, and I understand wanting to say a quick hello/congrats/thank you if you're a fan. And I tip my hat to the actors who throw on a smile every single day to spend time with fans after their show. (Not that there's an alternative these days... don't do it, or be anything less than sunshiney, and you'll be trashed on social media.) But stalking before a show is just... I'm speechless.
These are normal people. With jobs and lives. Show your appreciation by applauding wildly at the end of the performance and telling friends to go buy tickets.
#16
Posted: 4/11/19 at 5:26pm
JBroadway said: "A lot of people in his thread are citing specific examples of people who have expressed their opinion one way or the other, but I feel like that’s not really the point.
IMO, the key thing here is that there is an established, organized procedure for the post-show stage door. There are barricades, there’s, security, etc. and because of that organization, it’s easy for actors to opt in or opt out of the proceedings according to their preference. Before the show, there usually isn’t that same level of organization, so it’s easier for the actor to feel ambushed by people waiting.
I know that some shows anticipate this issue by putting up barricades before the show, but in my experience that’s more the reason exception than the rule."
ya i agree someone specifically telling you to come before the show is of course fine but just creeping around the door an hour before the show to stop an actor is deeply uncool
#17
Posted: 4/11/19 at 6:15pm
So now the actors will have to run the gauntlet twice instead of once for every performance.
#18
Posted: 4/11/19 at 6:48pm
haterobics said: "It has a different name before the show: stalking."
Exactly. Do not do this, performers are preparing for work, show them some respect.
#19
Posted: 4/11/19 at 7:33pm
All you will really see outside before the show is a bunch of stagehands shooting the ****. Feel free to come say hi though, not all of them will bite your head off.
Updated On: 4/11/19 at 07:33 PM
#20
Posted: 4/11/19 at 7:44pm
broadwayanonymous said: "Ive heard about stage dooring before a show, how does this work?"
it doesn't work. don't even consider doing it
don't message me thinking im taylor trensch?? what would he be doing on bww?? you can't possibly be that dumb bye
#21
Posted: 4/12/19 at 2:24am
I've had actors tell me to meet them at the theatre before the show before. But these are mostly instances in which the actor is unable to meet me after the show.
Other than that, I can't think of any instances in which this would be appropriate or polite.
Updated On: 4/12/19 at 02:24 AM
#22
Posted: 4/12/19 at 9:44am
BroadwayRox3588 said: "I've had actors tell me to meet them at the theatre before the show before. But these are mostly instances in which the actor is unable to meet me after the show.
Other than that, I can't think of any instances in which this would be appropriate or polite."
How're you in contact with the performer beforehand?
#23
Posted: 4/12/19 at 10:15am
Mike Barrett said: "BroadwayRox3588 said: "I've had actors tell me to meet them at the theatre before the show before. But these are mostly instances in which the actor is unable to meet me after the show.
Other than that, I can't think of any instances in which this would be appropriate or polite."
How're you in contact with the performer beforehand?"
There are people who are friends with the actors. They ask them to meet them before because it could be more convenient depending on if they also have people visiting after.
#24
Posted: 4/12/19 at 10:18am
magictodo123 said: "Mike Barrett said: "BroadwayRox3588 said: "I've had actors tell me to meet them at the theatre before the show before. But these are mostly instances in which the actor is unable to meet me after the show.
Other than that, I can't think of any instances in which this would be appropriate or polite."
How're you in contact with the performer beforehand?"
There are people who are friends with the actors. They ask them to meet them before because it could be more convenient depending on if they also have people visiting after."
Ah I see. I read it more as they contacted them before the show for their autograph, which would be a bit absurd.
#25
Posted: 4/12/19 at 11:04am
magictodo123 said: "There are people who are friends with the actors. They ask them to meet them before because it could be more convenient depending on if they also have people visiting after."
When I am meeting my friends, I don't consider myself to be stagedooring, though?!
I think this was more how people engage with actors on social media and the like?
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