Stage Dooring

[Ray_athena]

Posted: 5/17/18 at 7:40pm

So hi everyone,

I'm going to NYC this summer for my graduation and i have never stagedoored professionally ( I've staged doored when shows when on tour. I guess I need advice on how to make it the best as possible and how to get a good spot cuz I am seeing Spongebob as well. One of my main concerns is seeing Angels in America. I saw the play in Berkely and i can't wait but has anyone been to a matinee that had just one part of the show? And if so does Andrew come out? Please respond so I know what to do cuz I'm a first timer. (Also does he take photos sometimes or not at all)

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 5/17/18 at 7:50pm

Great choices of two shows! Happy graduation.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/17/18 at 7:52pm

If you're planning to stage door, a good rule of thumb is to always put shows with big celebrities in the Evening slots. I don't personally know if Andrew comes out between parts 1 & 2, but I wouldn't risk it if it's important to you to meet him. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 5/17/18 at 8:20pm

JBroadway said: "If you're planning to stage door, a good rule of thumb is to always put shows with big celebrities in the Evening slots. I don't personally know if Andrew comes out between parts 1 & 2, but I wouldn't risk it if it's important to you to meet him."

When I went, there was no stage dooring between shows. My belief is that there’s not enough time between shows for them to eat and rest and also stage door.

They all came out in about a half hour, and are very friendly but move quickly. A good idea is to aim for the area farther down the barricade so you can be up against it. The door is usually the center of the barricades 

[S394206H]

Posted: 5/17/18 at 8:36pm

Whatever you end up doing, make sure you're patient and listen to the doorman/ security staff, if there is any, ESPECIALLY with shows that have celebrity stars. People at Lobby Hero when I was there flat-out ignored the security guards at the door and ended up totally blocking the sidewalk and street and got in the way of people trying to actually leave the theatre. Just be patient and courteous- usually if you're not rude and pushy people will shift to give you some room at the barricade. Be respectful of the performers- some may not be super chatty and will just sign and go, and it's best to just let them: they're tired. Also, don't whine and complain if a certain star or lead doesn't come to the door- it's fine to be disappointed, but I always get irritated when people start trashing actors for not coming to the door. I consider myself an amateur stage-doorer at best, but these are just a few tips I've learned specifically at Broadway shows that have helped me out a lot!

[Elphie1000]

Posted: 5/20/18 at 10:06am

I'd love some basic advice too! I've never experienced the whole barricades etc thing in the UK.

Do you just tend to hold out your playbill and a pen and they sign automatically or do you ask for their autograph? And do you address by first names (eg. Hi Matt or Hi Mr Bomer)? Do you generally have chance to have a chat (and if so what on earth do you say except you were wonderful and I am such a huge fan?!)

Is it reasonable etiquette to ask for a pic?

Sorry for what I'm sure are fairly stupid questions!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/20/18 at 10:20am

Please interact with them....even to ask for a signature.  They're human after all.  Feel free to tell them how much you enjoyed the show, their performance, former work, ask a question....you'll be able to "feel" who's up for chatting and who wants/needs just to move on.   

Hoping for a pix is normal, too....but yes, you should ask!  Most of the actors that "do" stage door are quite gracious. 

 

Have fun.

[yesraccoons]

Posted: 5/20/18 at 10:30am

dramamama611 said: "Hoping for a pix is normal, too....but yes, you should ask! Most of the actors that "do" stage door are quite gracious."

If you're wondering about Andrew he does not take pictures but you're allowed to record him signing your playbill.

[Elphie1000]

Posted: 5/20/18 at 10:38am

Thank you!

Any thoughts on the first names thing?

 

Also, do you need to rush out of your seat and run round to the stage door after the show? Is it always obvious which way to go?! 

I'm not seeing Andrew, I guess I'm specifically wondering about Katharine McPhee, Jim Parsons, Matt Bomer (who I'm sure will do pics if he's there and be lovely, fingers crossed) and possibly Joshua Jackson. I have tix to Waitress and Boys in the Band, and no tix too Children of A lesser God but would love to pop by and see Josh anyway if possible, I don't know if that works.

Updated On: 5/20/18 at 10:38 AM

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/20/18 at 10:46am

Elphie1000 said: "Thank you!

Any thoughts on the first names thing?"

 

Most people just use the actor's first name, but I personally prefer to say "Mr" or "Ms" [blank] because it's more respectful, plus it makes you stand from the hoard of people shouting "MATT!" or whatever.

 

"Also, do you need to rush out of your seat and run round to the stage door after the show? Is it always obvious which way to go?!"

 

You should wait for the curtain call to be over, because it's considered bad etiquette to skip the curtain call. Once the curtain call is over though, yes you may have to hurry a bit. Don't run, but don't linger around either. A good practice is to scope out your route to the stage-door before the show. 

 

"no tix too Children of A lesser God but would love to pop by and see Josh anyway if possible, I don't know if that works."

 

It's also generally considered bad etiquette to stage-door a show you haven't seen (although I confess I have done it on a couple of occasions when I was particularly desperate, and tickets were hard to come by). If you do it, try not to advertise the fact that you haven't seen the show. 



Also, we should clarify: you usually don't have to ask them to sign your program if it's a large crowd situation with barricades, etc. Usually they will just go down the line signing whatever is in front of them. When it gets to be your turn to have your Playbill signed, that's a good time to talk to them, ask questions, ask for a photo, etc. Personally, I don't care about autographs all that much - I prefer the interaction and the photo. But the problem is, if you don't have anything in front of them to sign, they may very well skip over you accidentally.

 

Updated On: 5/20/18 at 10:46 AM

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 5/20/18 at 10:57am

When I saw The Great Comet, I called Josh Groban "Mr. Groban," he seemed kinda taken aback, and was like "Oh, please call me Josh!"

[sciencegirl]

Posted: 5/20/18 at 11:17am

Did stage door last night for BITB. All but Parsons came out.

Sometimes you can ask the security guys what to expect before the actors come out. The staff at the Booth was wonderful. Told us who would take pics and who would only sign which helps to avoid the awkward momemts of askeding and getting a no, or worst, ignored. Quinto doesn't do selfies- oh but Randells and Bomer were extrodinarily nice and seemed genuinely happy to do them.

Im guessing Parsons didn't come out due to his foot. Did see him at Normal Heart and he was chatty & charmingly southern.

I took the time to thank the staff after. One of them was happy to hear it ("we only hear it when people complain). He told us how 20 years ago he was in the other side of the experience as he skipped out in school to see Christopher Reeve.

Staff at Angels was pretty organized and nice. Garfield is Keen to sign for everyone, but does not do pics. Lane went right from into his car (not in a huff and he could've left through another exit, so appreciate the walk through) Lee Bice was the kindest, he actually had conversations with folks and was a pleasure to meet.

Good luck with Jackson. Would like to hear about that experience....

[Elphie1000]

Posted: 5/20/18 at 11:41am

sciencegirl said: "Did stage door last night for BITB. All but Parsons came out.

Sometimes you can ask the security guys what to expect before the actors come out. The staff at the Booth was wonderful. Told us who would take pics and who would only sign which helps to avoid the awkward momemts of askeding and getting a no, or worst, ignored. Quinto doesn't do selfies- oh but Randells and Bomer were extrodinarily nice and seemed genuinely happy to do them.

Im guessing Parsons didn't come out due to his foot. Did see him at Normal Heart and he was chatty & charmingly southern.

...

Good luck with Jackson. Would like to hear about that experience....
"

That's great to hear that you had a good experience at BITB. Sorry you didn't see Jim. Was the stage door really busy? I'm not sure how well I would fare at fighting through crowds!

Was that last line meant to sound ominous lol? I can't remember hearing anything about JJ with fans.

Is it ever possible to pick up a playbill without seeing the show?

 

[Elphie1000]

Posted: 5/20/18 at 11:45am

JBroadway, that's really helpful thank you!

It'll be obvious I haven't seen the show if I don't have a playbill right? (Wish I could fit in seeing it )

[lostphantom]

Posted: 5/20/18 at 11:56am

I stage doored for children of lesser god during previews. For Jackson, it was organized in a way that he goes down the line to sign first and then he does the line a second time for photos. He was really kind and generous with his time at stage door.

[Danielle49]

Posted: 5/20/18 at 12:45pm

Elphie1000 said: "Do you generally have chance to have a chat (and if so what on earth do you say except you were wonderful and I am such a huge fan?!)"

Really depends on the person and how much time they have! As someone mentioned, you'll be able to feel it out but definitely interact in some way. At least a "you were great" or a "hey how are you" or a "thank you for coming out" if they're moving quickly. Big stars sometimes will speed through because they have so many people to get to, but in my experience the ones I've seen have been very willing to listen, especially if you have something unexpected or specific to say.

For Matt Bomer, you'll certainly have a good experience. He took the most time at the stage door and kindly took photos with anyone who asked. I congratulated him on his debut and he seemed to not have gotten that a lot. Parsons and Quinto went pretty fast.