Stage Door Escapades

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:02pm

i've never attempted to wait at a stage door for actors, but i was wondering about the whole premise, wait time, where the doors are, what shows you've waited at, and what actors and shows were the best stage door experiences.
thanks

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:15pm

ok, well this is a favorite topic of mine, but I'll try not to ramble *too* much. I'm a big fan of stage-dooring. It's so wonderful to meet actors whom I admire and to be able to tell them how wonderful they are, or to thank them for the amazing performance they have just given. Typically, they are incredibly humble and nice. As for wait time, it varies, depending on the actor and on the show. For example, it took Idina Menzel much more time to come out than it did for the cast of Avenue Q. Obviously, Idina has to get all that green makeup off. If there are a LOT of people waiting, or if someone relatively famous (after that Wicked thread I'm going to be careful how I use the words "famous" and "name," lol) there are often barricades, but it's still easy to interact with them - get autographs, take pictures, etc.
so that's the basic premise of stage-dooring.

I have so many really fun personal stories, but I'm not sure if that's what you were asking for. Recently, I had an amazing time with the cast of Avenue Q. It was a lot of fun to be surrounded by such a dynamic group of people, and they were all very personable. I met Adam Pascal back in November. AMAZING. There weren't many people there, so it was really personal. He was so nice. I've had actors talk to me on the phone when I couldn't be there and talk to my friend on the phone when she couldn't be there. It's really a cool thing to be able to meet such incredible people.

Updated On: 3/21/04 at 04:15 PM

[LadyGuenevere]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:19pm

Ugh, stage doors.

I don't mind them much...except the crazy fans. The ones that tackle the actors and ask really personal questions or hand them little 'souvenirs'. (P.S. don't do that!)

Otherwise, when I've been, it was a short wait. It depends on the type of show or makeup. If there's a security guard, never step past him. Don't take a picture without the actor knowing (that seems weird). (the security guard reference has nothing to do with past experience)

Hmm..I don't know, I've had some great experiences, but I don't understand why people love to blab about them. But that's just me.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:20pm

oh God, I hate crazy fans (like when Joey Fatone was in Rent... don't get me started). I don't do that. I'm actually really shy and usually don't say much, but it's still fun.

Updated On: 3/21/04 at 04:20 PM

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:26pm

thanks luvtheemcee, lol i wont be using famous and star either, im def plannin to go to the stage door at wicked, i cant wait for it, hope i love it just as much as every1 else has

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:29pm

Have fun! Kristin is so, so sweet. Idina is also really nice, but a lot more quiet and reserved than Kristin. There were easily over 100 people when I was there, so make sure you get out there quickly to get a good spot!

Updated On: 3/21/04 at 04:29 PM

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:34pm

thanks for all your responses luvtheemcee, they really helped

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:34pm

The wait time at the stage door depends on the show you're seeing, and who is in it. The location of the stage door also depends on the theatre-they are usually around the corner, behind the theatre, or next to the main entrance. But again, it depends what theatre you're at.

Many stage doors have barricades next to them for the "stage-doorers" to wait at, and the actors move down the line. At the ones that don't, you usually have to approach the actors on your own. Respect the security guards-most are pleasant, but there are some who can get nasty. Don't pester them about when the actors are coming out or complain about the wait time. And do not, DO NOT, try to go into the theatre if you have no valid reason to be there. I've seen people use their little kids to be pitied and get through the stage door...honestly...if you know some one in the cast, talk to the security guard, but don't intrude if you have no connection to anyone involved with the show.

As Lady said, don't take pictures without the actors knowing. That's just disturbing, like you're stalking them. If you want a picture, most actors will gladly take one with you if you bring a camera and ask for one.

I can't stand crazy fans either. I love getting autographs, and it's great to tell the actors how much you enjoyed their performance, but the fans that get out of control and crazy-gushy are often disappointed. It depends how many people are there, but when there are a lot of people waiting, actors usually don't tend to stop and chat for ten minutes.

The chances of meeting actors at the stage door between shows is also a lot smaller than meeting them after the last (or only) show of the day, because they often stay in the theatre and rest between shows or they need to go somewhere and don't have time to go out the stage door.

In terms of the Wicked stage door: when you leave the theatre go up to 51st St and turn left. The stage door is on the lefthand side of 51st and says "Stage Door" above it, so you can't miss it. Take luvtheemcees advice and get there fast-it's always better to be as close to the front of the line as you can. As to who you might see-Kristin is one of the nicest performers I have ever met, but has not been coming out lately due to the weather and sickness. Idina almost always comes out, but she has to take all the green off and is usually the last one out of the theatre. From my experience she takes about 30-45 minutes after the show ends to come out, so if you really want an autograph you'll have to be patient. She's very sweet, but shy, and she also needs to conserve her voice, so don't be upset if you don't have a huge conversation. Michelle and Norbert also come out the stage door a lot, and they're both very pleasant. There are barricades at the Wicked stage door, so again, try and get a place at the barricades and not in the mob that waits at the back. The security guard there is not the nicest I've met, so again, don't complain to him about the wait time. Good luck! Updated On: 3/21/04 at 04:34 PM

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:39pm

luvtheemcee, or any1 who knows, do you remember where the stage door was for wicked?

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:40pm

See my post above. :) It's there. If anyone can explain the location better feel free!

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:41pm

thanks nyc babe, i'll be sure to scout it out when i go

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:41pm

you're welcome aspiringguy, I'm here to help!

I did forget what NYCbabe said about between shows. Occasionally they will come out, but often not. Sometimes if the security guards are really nice, they ask who you're waiting for and see what they can do to get them out if it's between shows and they weren't planning on it. Or, if the actors know people really want to see them, they often will come out for a little while.

Wow, I really need to get off this board and do the homework which I was originally intending to do when I logged onto my computer. That clearly isn't happening... oh well.

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:42pm

haha thats my situation, i need to do hw bad, how old are u luvtheemcee?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:46pm

almost 18. you?

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:47pm

just turned 16, wow for only being 18 u sure hav a lot of theater experience

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:49pm

lol, my parents got me hooked when I was very young. I saw my first show at age six, the rest is obvious, I suppose. I love theater, but have very little theatrical talent, unfortunately. I'm lucky to have friends who are into theater as well, so there's always someone around to see a show with! It's an expensive hobby though, and about to run me broke!

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:50pm

Wow...you're lucky to have friends who are into theatre as well...I wish I could say the same.

It is too bad about the cost-I'm not a cheap date!

[aces25]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:51pm

Yeah.. wait 20-30 minutes at Wicked... if nothing happens, leave, you're wasting your time.

At The Producers, Nathan Lane hands out 50 presigned playbills and Matthew comes out to sign.

At Hairspray, Harvey is very nice and will sign.

However, most of them are in a hurry. So if you go to these hot shows they probably won't do pictures. The security guard usually announces "no pictures" too.

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:51pm

haha yeah, my first show was i think 5th grade, what is that like 10? funny to say that the wizard of oz got me hooked into music, i've been singing ever since i saw it when i was 2 and broadway just came with the musical interest, im obsessed and christmas lists are always full of broadway requests :-P

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:52pm

well, NYCbabe, shall I say, my best friend is REALLY into theater. Most of my other friends will come if I ask, or know that they'll really like a certain show, but for the most part they think I'm nuts, which is understandable. I do tend to freak out about things they don't care about one bit.

Updated On: 3/21/04 at 04:52 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:53pm

aces, where did they say you couldn't take pictures? what show? I've never had that happen... that's weird.

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:54pm

haha this is running close to my life, most of my friends are lacrosse guys who appreciate my theater stuff, they think im crazy when im bidding crazy amounts of my savings on broadway tickets, but they all appreciate it and are into shows

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:56pm

aspringguy, check your PM.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 5:02pm

Just so i dont have to start another thread, can someone explain in detail where the stagedoors are for, The Imperial Theatre, John Golden Theatre, and Virgina Theatre. Help would be appriciated!! =D

[Princess MimiChica]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 5:02pm

oh ,stage-dooring is the funnest! I did it for the first time a couple weeks ag owhe nI took my Theatre trip.

Don't hold your breath for everyone to come out sfter Wicked. I waited almost an hour, and Idina was the ONLY one to come out. No Norbert, Michelle, ect. so that kind of sucked, but Idina was the person I came to see, so it's all good! Like others have noted, she's shy and quiet, so don't expect to chat long with her. The poor woman looked SO TIRED I didn't even bother her for a picture. She just wanted to get home i bet =)

Usually, you don't have to wait long though. when we saw RENT and AIDA, we didn't have to wait for more than 10-15 minutes for the first actors to come out. I really hated barricades because it makes me feel like cattle, but, they do serve a purpose. Like at RENT, where theres no barricaedes, it's much harder to track down the actors since they can slip into the crowd and sometimes not be missed.
Anyway, HAVE FUN and I hope you get to meet everyone you want to =)