When will actors begin stage dooring again/backstage tours- Page 2

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 11:14am

kennedy_rose said: "yankeefan7 said: "" But as an actor - you don't "have to", either. "

Is that totally true? I have read posts over the years by quite a few people who say the shows tell actors it is "highly recommended" that they promote the show by going to the stage door and signing stuff."

Of course no one can force you, but in the age of social media, there are these outlandish expectations and fans will post photos and it keeps the machine going; to do the stage door is still selling the show and serving the ticket buyers. When you don't, you get the Scarlet Letter and yes, leads of shows have come to dressing rooms and reamed actors for not joining them in camaraderie to greet the fans and sign playbills. And guess what, we became tone deaf towardthat particularrequests and overall behavior. So much for camaraderie.

As the old saying goes, "You do you, I'll do me.""

Have Amber Gray and André de Shields ever stage doored at Hadestown?  When I saw the show, the only one of the five leads who came out was Reeve.  I didn't lose respect for the people who didn't stage door.  I appreciated the time I got to interact with the actors I did meet, and I went on my way.  I'm a performer who personally enjoys the stage door - I love getting to talk with people after the show, and on the few nights during my latest show where I couldn't stage door, I definitely missed it.  I hope the tradition doesn't go away because of this - or if anything, less audience members will go to it and then there won't be as much pushing to the front or holding Playbills over people's heads to get them to the actors.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 4:51pm

" Have Amber Gray and André de Shields ever stage doored at Hadestown?  When I saw the show, the only one of the five leads who came out was Reeve. "

The only thing I will say is "Hadestown" is the hit show in town and does not need the publicity as much as many other shows which could be the difference. Since you are a performer, did you ever feel that you were obligated to do the stage door thing?

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 4:59pm

yankeefan7 said: "" Have Amber Gray and André de Shields ever stage doored at Hadestown? When I saw the show, the only one of the five leads who came out was Reeve. "

The only thing I will say is "Hadestown" is the hit show in town and does not need the publicity as much as many other shows which could be the difference. Since you are a performer, did you ever feel that you were obligated to do the stage door thing?"

Not really.  I was disappointed when I couldn't do it because I enjoy it, but I didn't feel like I ever had to.  That said, I never really had to try and promote ticket sales for my show, either.  I guess it really depends on each actor's situation.  I do feel that those who enjoy it should be able to do it, as I understand (having been on either side of the interaction) how cool it can be.  I definitely don't think there should be an obligation.  I know that there are some actors from Mean Girls who don't stage door, and that show needs the publicity much more than Hadestown.  Maybe if there are less people who come to the stage door, there'll be more actors who feel legitimately comfortable with doing it and who don't feel like it's an obligation.

[BillyComet]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 10:40pm

This board has become so depressing recently!
Let’s be honest... it’s gonna be a while, but it’s gonna start happening again. Every day there’s a new celebrity out for a walk in LA during quarantine with paparazzi STILL following them! You try telling people not to wait for Hugh Jackman when Music Man eventually starts.
(This is coming from someone who doesn’t think the stage door is necessary or required, but come on! People will always be people).

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 4/4/20 at 10:46pm

I went on a backstage tour as an ensemble member of BoM also happened to be a coworker. It was a lot of fun -- you got to see the changing areas (tiny!) the places where the costume people worked (off a crevice room on a steep staircase), the sets (very simple viewed up close). I also learned how the dancers change so quickly between their glitzy jackets and missionary collared shirts (the glitzy jackets are hidden in the belt). 

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 4/5/20 at 1:38am

If stage dooming doesn’t go back to “normal” how will it work? Will security be shooing people away? How will they do this with full sidewalks after shows get out? Will actors come out the door and start walking, knowing they will still be approached without the slight safety of barricades? C19 will definitely change many things about life, but people will still want selfies and autographs. Will more leads have drivers and rides in their contracts so they can quickly dash into a waiting car? 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 4/5/20 at 3:56am

PatrickDC said: "If stage dooming doesn’t go back to “normal” how will it work? Will security be shooing people away? How will they do this with full sidewalks after shows get out? "

That's exactly what they will be doing, assuming it's a policy as opposed to individual actors deciding not to do it.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 4/5/20 at 4:42am

Exactly, I think the only solution is to have scheduled/regulated meet-and-greets and backstage tours in lieu of the “stage door experience” as we know it.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 4/5/20 at 7:44pm

I have enjoyed my stagedoor experiences on Broadway and on tour.  I've also been lucky to visit backstage at "Chicago" at the Ambassador a couple of times.  At this point in time, theatre professionals are wondering and hoping that their shows return as soon as possible.  Sadly, not all shows will return.  Stage dooring and backstage tours are the last things on their minds.   When Broadway does return, things will never be the same.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 4/5/20 at 11:14pm

People are DYING because of this virus and stagedoors/selfies is what you're thinking about right now?? You need to seriously rethink your priorities if that's what you're thinking about. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/5/20 at 11:41pm

This is a THEATER board and this thread is about stage door and tours. Clearly, you took a wrong turn on the interwebs. 

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 4/6/20 at 8:59am

Part of me really believes that after this there will still be stage door activities. Maybe less actors will choose to participate or less audience members will choose to stay. Something will change I’m sure regardless. But I still think there will be something. A) because I still feel that some actors still enjoy the interaction (and some who’ve had the virus may look that they have antibodies in which case technically they are safer to be around. ) B) I feel that many might think it’s safer to have an organized stage door than Leaving it open to stalkers or creeps to approach them or follow them home. C) I also think that it will be a sign that broadway is resilient and back in business. I just don’t see that some of the actors will be so open to those who want hugs or something. I feel like it maybe a little bit more like - hold your playbill/poster out, no photos with the actors, but you can take pictures of them while signing.

[JayElle]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 1:49pm

PatrickDC said: "If stage dooming doesn’t go back to “normal” how will it work? Will security be shooing people away? How will they do this with full sidewalks after shows get out? "
 

That is what several theaters did in early March. Took away the barriers or didn't place any along with large "No Stagedoor Activity" signs.  For those that did SD, no selfies were permitted and alot of the actors just didn't come out.  

Understandably, the "no SD" signs will likely continue upon re-opening.  Or many actors will just do a Nathan Lane, i.e., come out the SD & wave at the folks as they jump in the car.  At least it's recognizing the fans, unlike many who would go out other doors.  Doubt selfies will return anytime soon, if at all.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 2:12pm

JayElle said: "PatrickDC said: "If stage dooming doesn’t go back to “normal” how will it work? Will security be shooing people away? How will they do this with full sidewalks after shows get out?"


That is what several theaters did in early March. Took away the barriers or didn't place any along with large "No StagedoorActivity" signs. For those that did SD, no selfies were permitted and alot of the actors just didn't come out.

Understandably, the "no SD" signs willlikelycontinue upon re-opening. Or many actors will just do a Nathan Lane, i.e., come out the SD & wave at the folks as theyjumpin thecar. At least it's recognizingthe fans, unlike many who would go out other doors. Doubt selfies will return anytime soon, if at all."

Fortunately, I don't think waiting by the stage door will ever happen again. The thought of getting bombarded by selfish, toxic, and inexplicably rude fans will haunt me until I die, to say the least. However, I wonder what this means in terms of intimate, one-on-one conversations with people like musicians inside the theatre after a show. Should I just shoot them a text/e-mail or FaceTime them from now on?

[JayElle]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 2:33pm

BroadwayRox3588 wrote, in part: "However, I wonder what this means in terms of intimate, one-on-one conversations with people like musicians inside the theatre after a show."

I've not been to London theater, but a friend told me their SD activity involved actually  meeting w/actors post show in the theater. He went a decade ago, so I don't know if that's still the method, but I noticed some Bway shows have that "post show" discussion for groups.

I don't think it will return either, but then there are those actors who like greeting their fans.  I did prefer the "Network/Bryan Cranston" policy.  Will only sign item from the show.  Or the Springsteen policy, i.e., theater attendee only line w/ticket from that show that night which was imposed later in his run because it became nuts from non-attending fans.  For Network at least, it kept the dealers away who would show up with everything short of a roll of toilet paper to have signed.  I watched security remove those folks from the line.

Que sera, sera.

 

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 3:51pm

I once did the Radio City backstage tour and loved all the detailed information and about the stage's 'ability' to move around, the Mackie costumes and being able to tell friends that I have walked across that stage.

There is also a certain smell about backstage, sweat/makeup/dust and also your imagination goes into overdrive; it can be pretty magical if you look past the bare nothing on show.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 3:53pm

Whenever Broadway opens next year, I don't think there will be barriers and people will be told by either a sign or security that there is no stage door. It will come back in a year or two. 

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 5:08pm

I could see them limiting it to only people who have seen the show that night. Which is actually something I’m surprised they didn’t implement years ago before the autograph hunters started destroying the entire experience.

Part of me also believes that those who would typically stage door would want to return back to “normal”. Those who don’t want to or never liked doing it just would avoid the stage door.

I’d hate to see this tradition disappear but I agree that it needs some form of restructuring. And some form of limiting crowd sizes to be more about those actually at the show. (Not the person that has stagedoored the show 20 times and then when the cast member makes a comment about how much the individual loves the show they reply “well I haven’t seen it yet. I’m hoping to see it maybe one day” ).

[darreyl102]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 5:20pm

Stagedooring has been around since the beginning of theater. If the plague didn't kill it, and all the other world epidemics that have occurred didn't-this won't either. However, it's going to be a hell of a long time after theaters open when this practice returns. Not until the vaccine has been released and even then it'll be some time to ensure that enough of the population has actually gotten the vaccine and its effectiveness.

[jakethesnake]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 5:42pm

Never.

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 6:00pm

jakethesnake said: "Never."

That made me laugh---Never!--no need for an explanation-all over--dun and dusted-next !

Loved it.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 6:42pm

The last night before the shut down I was at the final preview of “Six” and everyone knew either that night or the next would probably be the last night Broadway would have shows. Stage doors had already stopped for the most part but those “Six” girls were still out there signing and taking pics with hoards of fans.

Stagedooring won’t ever fully stop.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 7:49pm

BLs68 said: "I personally hate the stage door but I love going backstage. I’ve gone backstage at Once On This Island once and three times at Hadestown. Each time has been a wonderful experience to talk to the performers on a personal level about many topics and get to see where everything gets stored.

I was supposed to go backstage at Beetlejuice a few weeks ago. It’s a lose-lose situation for all involved at this point and I’m sad about it. The organization who set up my tickets and tour automatically refunded me and said they would not be able to schedule a tour with Beetlejuice when Broadway opens up again. I was looking forward to this for many reasons, especially to see the sandworm. "

What is the difference? Stage dooring or going backstage, you are still taking time away from the actors when they are off the clock (unless you know the actors personally) if anyting backstage tours take longer than the 5-10 minutes it takes for an actor to go up and down the stage door line. Don't really see how you can knock one but not the other .

Just to make it clear, I think both are great-just wondering how you can trash one and not the other 

Updated On: 5/4/20 at 07:49 PM

[stoptheworld38]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 9:56pm

I think in general it will just be a matter of personal comfort/preference. Some will probably go back to it sooner than others. Those who are old(er)/otherwise at risk may choose to not stagedoor for longer if they go back to it at all. And of course there are some people who never stagedoor, health crisis or not. I really hope they all go back to it if/when they feel safe doing so but of course the most important part is they protect their health so they can give successful performances.

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 10:56pm

Just another comment to make. There have also been a huge number of broadway performers who have have coronvirus, been exposed to, have antibodies and are technically the safest people to be around. Ie. someone like Aaron tveit (But a have a friend in another show and he was saying right now it’s amazinghow many people have it/had it. He’s in a show in that area and had it. But a number of them are just keeping it private).
But just saying that it’s more of a “risk” for the stage Doorers. So I would agree that possibly some who feel comfortable or have had it may be alright to continue the tradition