Stagedooring a show I didn't see?

how would he know whether or not you saw the show? i don't see an issue with it.

It is considered rude, by many people.

How exactly are you visiting NYC, desperately want to meet him in person, but can't justify seeing him in his first starring role on Broadway?!

There is no way anyone is going to know you didn't see the show and try to shame you. Just do it. At Oh, Hello I was standing next to two young women and mentioned that I was going to get out my sharpie for the guys to autograph my playbill. They said, don't bother they bring their own plus they take selfies with your phone. They had done this before and did not see the show that night. They just liked getting photos with them. Except for me, I don't think anyone else would have known that. And I don't think anything less of them for it.

^ Well said PThespian...

Updated On: 1/28/17 at 09:14 AM

No one called anyone out. The op asked for opinions, and people offered them.



Where you're hypothesis comes from is insane. And for the record, I'm guilty of none of those things.

"Those same people saying it's bad are the same people who break rush line rules, don't turn off their phones during a performance, arrive late to the performance or late after intermission disturbing the people around them, singing badly during the performance, wooing during the performance, eating or chomping during the performance and talking during the performance. It's amazing that there are people out there who do at least one of the above consistently, but then choose to call out someone who is stagedooring a show they didn't see."



I too, am guilty of none of those things you mentioned. Not sure how you made that leap. In fact it's quite the opposite. The people doing all those things you mentioned are usually the same people who go stage-door shows they haven't seen.



"Just because you get his autograph doesn't mean people who saw the show won't."



That's probably true in this case, but in many cases, there are so many autograph-hounds and other such people clogging up stage-door barricades, that many of the people who saw the show don't get to meet the actors. I've seen it. I've been one of those people on several occasions.



"If you walk through the theater district, and pass a theater where a big star is appealing, you will see s lot of people lined up behind the barricades while the show is still in progress."



Yes, many people wait outside shows they haven't seen. Just like many people take out their phone during shows. Just because many people do it, doesn't make it good.



"Secutity is there and know these people didn't see the.show, but security doesn't say anything. Why? Because they don't care."



Security doesn't case because it's not their job to care. They have other things to worry about.



"As far as etiquette goes that sounds a little crazy to me. You're not at a black tie event or even inside the theater. You're asking for someone's autograph."



Black-tie events are not the only situations that have a set of etiquette rules. That's ludicrous. Asking for autographs has many different rules of etiquette. So does pretty much every social situation ever - it's just that the rules change and have varying degrees for formality.



"Saying you can't ask someone for their autograph unless you saw the show means, in effect, that you have to pay for it which is ridiculous. Is it rude for people with comp tickets to ask for an autograph? They didn't technically do anything to support the show other than help fill a house."



It's not a question of money. It's a question of time and respect. It's respectful to have seen the show in question before going to the stage-door to meet the actors.



"I bet some of the people who will tell you it's a bad thing to ask him for his autograph without having seen the show, which he gives out free to you and them, would have no problem second acting a show where they are getting something for free that others have paid for. "



You bet wrong. Well...maybe some people. I can't speak for everybody, but I have never done that, nor would I.



And look, I'm not saying the OP is a bad person if they decide to go ahead and stage-door the show, but they should be aware that it is considered a breach of etiquette. I get it: sometimes you breach etiquette when you're desperate and circumstances lead to it. I've done it in other areas of my life from time to time. But I'm aware that I'm breaching etiquette and try not to do it frequently. The OP even said that it seemed rude to do it. It's not life or death, it's not like the OP will get arrested. It's just more respectful to have seen the show first.

Whether it's right or wrong is your personal choice. She wants an autograph from Gideon Glick. Though Glick is a fine actor, there aren't rows of fans 5 deep trying to get an autograph. I don't think this would keep anyone else from getting an autograph.

Edit: auto correct doesn't like Gideon's last name!

Updated On: 1/28/17 at 12:16 PM

Zachary Levi refuses to sign for people who did not see the show.

If you feel good about doing it, go right ahead.

Even though I do not stagedoor, I know that no matter how much I love an artist, taking someone's discarded playbill and getting in the line with those who saw the show (and YES did PAY to see it) would make me feel lousy and it would ruin the entire experience of meeting them.

But that's just me.

Updated On: 1/28/17 at 03:09 PM

That is still not calling anyone out. I didn't even voice my own opinion - whatsoever. No one even told him NOT to do it: HE ASKED FOR OPINIONS, and the op got a variety of them -- and he can do whatever he wants with them.



Good god.

"You stated in your earlier post that "it is considered rude by many people". Whether someone wants to stagedoor a show they didn't see is their business. Not yours...or anyone else. If the actor doesn't want to sign for the person then it is up to the discretion of the actor. It's none of the business of any one else. Whether or not you, JBroadway or Yankeefan are not guilty of the actions I listed, is not the point. "

I will echo dramamama 's response, nobody told the poster not to do it and we just offered our opinion.