Stage Dooring Standards and Protocol

There IS no protocol for which actor leaves first or 2nd, etc. The ONLY basic protocol is regarding the fans -- respect the actors. Period.

Some actors leave quickly, some take their time... and this applies to anyone in the show. Some prefer to leave other exits while others leave thru the stage door. There isn't a policy or rule they follow. All sign autographs though some headliner/star may refuse to pose for photos (so as to not upset others refused), but will allow you to take photos OF them.

The reported problems at stage doors is never with the actors, its always the freaks and weirdos waiting at the stage door who create the problems.

I'd agree with what everyone else has said. And add to the "have your own Sharpie or pen" to just generally be prepared. Have the playbill facing towards the actors if you want the cover signed or turned to the picture page already if you want that signed. Ditto a souvenir program if you want that signed in a certain place. If you are going to request a picture, have your camera ready to go (but if it's going to kill the battery, just out will be enough. If you are alone, ask someone close by ahead of time if they're willing to take a picture for you. But be aware that not every performer will take pictures.

And follow that wonderful acronym KISS. Say how you enjoyed their performance and maybe another sentence or two. Not more unless they make the effort to engage you in conversation.

Above all, remember that no actor HAS to stage door. Your ticket cost entitles you to nothing more than a performance on stage.

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Do not try to get inside the theatre. It doesn't matter if it is raining.


- The gracious Chita Rivera took the crowd of us at the stage door waiting for her inside the lobby of theatre when it was raining. This was during her tour in Philly.

Do not try to get inside the theatre. It doesn't matter if it is raining.

Agree. If the doorman or an actor invites you in, that's one thing. After Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner's concert at The Kennedy Center in April, this freak monsoon came up and was dousing us. The doorman let us all (including Alice and eventually Emily when she worked her way through the crowd) into the little indoor waiting area. But he didn't have to do that. And he voluntarily did it. No one asked him to let us in.

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I think it's most important to remember that actors are people: They have bad days when they're cranky and will snap at anyone, they have lives outside the theatre and things to do. I know when I leave work, I'm focused on getting home. And if it's been a bad day, I'm not the most agreeable person. :)

Leave the red track suit at home and don't try to engage the actors in conversation. A simple, "I enjoyed your performance" will suffice.