Stage door étiquette - Page 2

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 1/7/11 at 3:37pm

My feelings are if an actor chooses to participate in the stage door then great, more power to them. Also, if they are choosing to do so, then I would expect them to be at least civil about it, not making it appear as if it is some unpleasant chore they are being forced to do. On the other hand, if they do not want to do it and choose not to do it, say by leaving through another exit, rushing out as quickly as they can after curtain call to miss the crowds, waiting a decently long time for the crowds to disperse, whatever, then that is also their choice and again, more power to them.

I do take issues with the ones who stage door and make it blatantly clear that they would rather be doing anything else. There are ways to avoid it, there is no reason for rude behavior, from actor or fan, at the stage door.

[dragonlp86]

Posted: 1/7/11 at 3:44pm

People can, and will, go round and round about whether stage door is a 'part' of being a stage actor or not. Yes, it is a very nice gesture from the actor, for them to come out and interact with the fans a bit. Some of them have even stated that they enjoy hearing from the fans. Some...don't like it at all. So if I'm at stagedoor and someone chooses to come out, good for them. I will thank them for the Sharpie scribble and their performance (I did also thank Douglas Hodge for coming down the line at the barricade instead of catching just a few people and leaving). If they are so inclined and seem interested, sometimes we can have a brief conversation (I've had a few of them comment on something I was wearing or the fact that I came from Louisiana to see certain shows). If they don't come out, the last thing I'm going to do is rush home and bash them on the internet. I can understand how stagedoor could be a little daunting for those who are a little on the shy side when it comes to actually being face-to-face with the fans. Or maybe they just don't like it. I don't know and I don't really care.

Now, as far as behaviour from those who are waiting at stagedoor? For the most part, I've been fortunate with my experiences. The WORST I ever had was for 'Promises, Promises' where people were shoving (and I'm a small person; it doesn't take much to smush or knock me over sometimes). And this one woman (who I wanted to smack with her own Playbill) started chanting Sean Hayes' name when he didn't come out FIVE minutes after the show ended. My friend and I ended up just leaving; we didn't want any part in that.

[amoni]

Posted: 1/7/11 at 4:36pm

Getting back to the original question about Kelsey Grammer, he chose to end his marriage on world wide TV. He paraded his then pregnant bimbo in front of cameras. All in all, it wasn't actually rude question. He gets what he gets.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 1/7/11 at 5:31pm

Allow me to repeat my statement to Nick, substituting your name:

"You can have any opinion about the man you like, amoni, and I'm not saying I disagree with yours. However. Leave him the hell alone at the stage door or any other public setting. It's disrespectful of the show, his waiting fans, and of course the actor himself. Not to mention more than a little creepy.

Find another outlet with which to express your hatred, or to encourage others in theirs. The stage door is not an appropriate place for that."

A rude and inappropriate question is a rude and inappropriate question. Boycott him, write to the networks, but keep your personal crap AWAY from the stage door.

[amoni]

Posted: 1/7/11 at 7:47pm

And let me repeat, he made his personal life public, just as he does his politics. He doesn't get a free ride from other people's opinions just because he's standing in front of a theater, plus he's standing on a public sidewalk.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 4:14am

There's a time and place for everything. You want to be a creepy stage door stalker harassing actors and disturbing other innocent people, knock yourself out. I hope you get arrested for it.

[AC126748]

Posted: 1/17/11 at 1:03pm

I don't participate in the stage door culture, but I agree with what AEA AGMA SM wrote. If an actor does choose to stage door, then they should be polite and courteous to their fans and not act like it is an imposition. Otherwise, they should simply walk right past the crowds or use an alternate exit (a la Nathan Lane). Some actors do appreciate their fans and enjoy stage-dooring. From what I've been told, Pacino usually spends a significant amount of time outside MoV greeting fans, even after performing a 3+ hour Shakespeare play. To each their own.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 1/18/11 at 2:45am

"And let me repeat, he made his personal life public, just as he does his politics. He doesn't get a free ride from other people's opinions just because he's standing in front of a theater, plus he's standing on a public sidewalk."

I'm with ghostlight on this one. I don't care if his issues were profiled over the news or kept private - the stage door comment in question ("Hey Kelsey, do you want a fourth wife?") was just plain rude and uncalled for. The woman wasn't stating her opinion about anything.

He's a celebrity, of course certain things in his life are going to be all over the news. Doesn't make it right for someone to harass him.

Being on a public sidewalk doesn't give someone the license to taunt another. Unfortunately, people nowadays don't have common courtesy, and it is these people who give the stage door experience a bad name.

[hottieho13]

Posted: 1/18/11 at 12:53pm

not all tourists are crazy creeps at the stage door!i remember seeing wicked in SF and we waited outside to See Eden and some other Tourist were present as well and they were very gracious and sweet to her and didn't go all Bat**** crazy either.but what that lady said to Kelsey was just nasty.then there was this time Rent was in sacramento and Anthony Rapp came out the stage door way and signed autographs and he looked so miserable and annoyed I felt bad when he signed my playbill.i think actors have the right to participate or not participate in the stage door part but if they do it it would be nice for them to at least crack a smile and act like they arn't being forced to do it because really they arn't being forced and Eden was very nice and sweet,she was a little tired(rightfully so, she was fantastic!!)but still very happy and had a great energy about her!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 1/18/11 at 1:03pm

Someone gave Kerry a present, what do you guys think about giving presents at the stage door?

Don't do it unless it's someone you actually know personally. Lots of stuff ends up being throw out or given away (especially food). If you TRULY want to spend the money find out if the actor backs a certain charity, make a donation in their name, and give them a card saying so. If you're not sure if the perform favors a charity then just give to BC/EFA. Honestly, that's your best option.

I used to send opening night gifts to people I actually know but when someone who DIDN'T get something caused an issue I stopped the practice all together.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 1/19/11 at 9:07am

I have never been interested in the whole stage door thing. When I go to see a show, I see the show then leave. I honestly believe the actors' jobs end at curtain call. If the like to go to the stage door and interact with fans, more power to them. If they don't like going to the stage door that is their choice. When people start bashing actors for not coming out at the stage door it is utterly ridiculous.

I do agree with the fact that if they are going to come to the stage door they need to be civil and polite. There is no need for them to act miserable because as I just said, they do not have to be there. The idea of people bringing actors gifts is a little weird to me because you do not know them. I agree with Eris0303, if you know them personally, donating to a charity is a wonderful idea. Bringing actors cookies or other homemade things is just plain weird.

Maybe I just don't understand the whole stage door thing. I have never been interested and just find the whole thing a little awkward. I don't think it is fair that some people judge actors based on whether or not the come out the stage door. I have read some people call them entitled and arrogant just because they choose not to come out the stage door and I find that beyond ridiculous.

[sally1112]

Posted: 1/19/11 at 9:42am

Just stage doored last night at the Addams family. All the cast came out (Except Nathan) and they were all wonderful and gracious.
I was wondering, Has Nathan said in interviews or anywhere why he doesn't come out and sign/meet fans? I am just curious.

[fiyerowhereareyou2]

Posted: 1/19/11 at 1:43pm

Here is an article about stage door etiquette from the actor's perspective, written by Alex Brightman(who just finished up a long run of playing Boq in Wicked on Broadway)

An interesting read.
Crazytown: The Stage Door

[provocation]

Posted: 1/19/11 at 2:53pm

Echoing what others have said, it isn't a performer's job to stage door. That being said, I've had several performers whom I've merely thanked for their work and have received some rude responses. Sometimes it is stares or they brush off the remark without even a simple "thank you." If a performer is going to exit through the stage door, they should at least have some sort of grace and not be rude when they are signing playbills.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/19/11 at 4:09pm

Oh, fer craps sake!

Why is this being brought up again?

Where's the original thread?