Why do people stage door?- Page 3

[jeniferrenepatricia]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 1:04am

I started to stage door when my mother took me to see "Dreamgirls" and "Evita." I was very young and she asked me if I wanted to meet the performers after the show. I can remember evryone being very nice to us.
As I got older, I would stage door but rarely had the nerve to ask for an autograph or picture. I have been a fan of Ann Reinking since "All That Jazz", and when I saw her come out after "Chicago" in 1998, I was speechless. My friend approached her and asked for a pic and autograph for me- I didn't even want to ask. I'm not as intimidated anymore, but I only stage door when I see a show that I truly admire the performer. As much as I admire Patti Lupone, I've read and heard mixed reviews about her at the stage door. After I saw "Gypsy" I didn't wait even though I would love a pic with her.

[xoangel2789xo]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 1:48am

Funny thing is I didn't know what stage-dooring was until Rent which was like the 20th show I had seen...and it was an accident. My friends and I were lingering outside after a performance trying to figure out what to do for the rest of the day and then the performers came out so we were like oh cool! and got autographs from some of them. I pretty much stage door to either ask them a question or tell them how awesome of a performer I think they are, though sometimes I'm just too shy to do that and just let them sign my playbill. For me it's a cool experience, when it's meeting people that you admire and such.

[beachbaby]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 11:47am

I stage door to compliment the actors. I'm not really into collecting autographs though.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 12:37pm

I stage door, (when im in the city, I live upstate) I do it cause you get to see what the actors are like in real life, if only for a short period of time. Some are nice and gracious while others are not.lol

[amoni]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 12:39pm

Why? Why not? It's a Broadway tradition for decades now. It's an ego boost for the performer and a thrill for the fan. Second, it's no different than a sports fan wanting a program or ball signed by their favorite player. Those fans wait hours after a game or spend good money for autographs at sports shows and no one blinks an eye to it.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 12:42pm

Funny how some people stage door to compliment the actors...

What about ALL of the people who make the show what it was?

How about saying, "Great job running those props!"

Or, "Fantastic costume change!"



Just a thought.

[Jon]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 12:43pm

I often "passively" stage door - in other words,I watch the interaction between the actors and audience members, but don't actually try to talk to the performers myself. Often, the fans are much more interesting than the performers.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 12:43pm

I have no disrespect for the crew... they are harder to pick out when you at the stage door. I have never seen crew...but if i did i would pat them on the back

[LinkLarkin24]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 3:16pm

I've only done it a couple of times, but I agree that it's ridiculous to get the same autograph multiple times and I guess then you can get suspicious of the ebay people. I'm sure actors are aware that this goes on though. I read a while back that some some of the actors who are used for "Stunt Casting" are only allowed to sign playbill's and not dvd's, cd's, pictures or books - is that right? or is that their personal preference?

I have two autographed playbills - most recent is from "Hairspray" which I got custom framed to include my ticket - it was my first time seeing the show and it was a very special day so seeing it brings back memories that will last a lifetime.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 4:13pm

Mateo is that you?
IF so its russie49

[amoni]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 4:58pm

"What about ALL of the people who make the show what it was?

How about saying, "Great job running those props!"

Or, "Fantastic costume change!"

That is Pre-Stage Dooring. You can do that before the curtain when half the crew working backstage are standing outside the stage door smoking.

[broadwaycat3113]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 5:19pm

i stagedoor because i enjoy getting autographs and pictures to remember each show by. i'll rarely do a stagedoor twice, unless I miss a cast member. if i'm lucky enough to see the original cast in something, i love having their autographs as a memento in the playbill. and it's great to meet the actors off the stage. they're always so gracious and i'm sure it means a lot to them to see their supporters and fans after a show. it's also exciting for me to get to speak with the people i look up to and admire.

[Gobstopper]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 5:25pm

I'm going to stagedoor this summer when I'm in NYC, just because I've never been there and it just seems like I should... or something.

I'm kinda scared though. lol

[legally_popular]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 5:29pm

Yeah, pretty much what everyone else said.
All my experiences have been great. The only people I wouldn’t like are those autograph collectors that just want to sell them on ebay. OR the obsessed fans who go all the time. I saw pictures on this girl’s myspace of her KISSING each performer she met on the cheek. Some she clearly met more than once, but still. I wonder what the actors thought of it. I know they’re probably really nice, but she wasn’t friends with them and whether she asked them or not, I think there’s some kind of line that shouldn’t be crossed. Otherwise, my few experiences have all been good.

Stage-dooring is fun! I think it’s a great opportunity for the fans to show their support for the actors and vice versa. I’m always polite and calm. Mostly too shy to say much though. I just give the actor a compliment and thank them as he/she is signing my playbill and sometimes ask for a picture. Every time, the actors have been happy to do so and a couple have even asked ME if I wanted an autograph and picture before I ask them. The couple of shows that I have seen twice, I’ve only stage-doored once.

I only discovered stage-dooring last year, so I’ve only seen a few shows in the past year and done it about half the time. Like I said, all my experiences have been wonderful. The crowds weren’t crazy. And most actors were really friendly. I’ve never come across any actor who was rude or didn’t want to sign. I don’t expect it and know it is not required of them, but if they do – that’s great. It’s just a bonus after seeing their great performance.

[SamIAm]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 5:37pm

All kinds of reasons:

a) The person is a certified stalker who just can't get enough of a particular star. These people have been known to go to the stage door every night even when they do not go to the show.

b) A person who just wants an autograph and/or picture to sell on eBay (in my opinion this is really unfair. I hate people who sell things and make money off someone else's talent or ability without contributing any value - and in this instance, they are PRETENDING to be a fan in order to get something they can sell - no wonder baseball players charge to sign things these days)

c) A fan who saw the show and honestly just wants to tell the actors that they appreciated their performances (these people don't go to the stage door often and in fact may be moved to go on that one occasion just because they are blown away by a show or performance)

d) Someone who just wants to see what the stage door thing is all about or is talked into going by someone with whom they saw the show.

e) A friend of someone in the cast who is just killing time waiting for the actor to finish so they can actually eat dinner or go to another appointment.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 5:40pm

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 05:40 PM

[sparkleplenty]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 6:52pm

I stagedoored by accident when I saw my first Bway show (Mame). I'd just wandered back of the Shubert in Boston looking for a phone booth and saw Angela Lansbury and the fans. I joined them and was thrilled to get her autograph.
I later saw the original production of The Apple Tree and got Larry Blyden and Alan Alda's autograph. When Barbara Harris came out (trench coat and sunglasses) and a woman said, "Barbara..." and touched her on the shoulder, holding out a pen and program, Ms. Harris looked as if she had been burned, and ducking her head down rushed into a waiting vehicle. I felt embarrased to be a stage doorer, decided it was pain in the ass for the performers and never did it again.....until I saw Boy From Oz and saw a crowd waiting for Hugh Jackman.
I couldn't help myself. He seemed perfectly sweet about it - so I was happy to have my souvenir program signed.
Unfortunatley I dined that evening at Serendipidy's restaurant, left the program on a seat and when I called later - they said yes, it's right here in our lost and found drawer. Sadly when I came the next day to pick it up - it was gone! An employee with sticky fingers apparently took it.
My stage door history. And I really do think it's kind of a silly way to spend one's time (fan atics) But that's just me. People can certainly have fun any way they want, unless they're harming others.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 7:12pm

Ah fromage - the spinach of life must be shared!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 7:36pm

"I read a while back that some some of the actors who are used for "Stunt Casting" are only allowed to sign playbill's and not dvd's, cd's, pictures or books - is that right? or is that their personal preference?"

I wouldn't be surprised. I know of baseball players who do similar "rules". I know that former Phillie Mike Schmidt is not permitted to sign baseballs. He has a contract with a card company. With that knowledge I wouldn't be surprised if there are similar things in the theatre.

I had an interesting stage door experience last month at Chicago. I've stated in the past that I've only stage doored at shows where I already knew people in the show. But I stage doored at Chicago because I really wanted to meet John Schneider. Dukes of Hazzard was on the air when I was very young and I have fond memories of sneaking around to watch it with my older brother (my mom thought it was too "violent" lol). And I grew up watching him in tons of other parts.

Well, there was a woman at the stage door who, literally, told every single actor about her daughter who has done extra work on "Gossip Girl". On and on and on about her daughter the actress.

So there's another reason people stage door. To attempt to further their child's "acting career".

[April Saul]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 10:29pm

Ethan Hawke has spoken about the experience of being a stage actor in terms of being in the same room with the audience and having a shared experience...and I think it's true. Yes, I have friends who think stage door-ing is silly, but I only feel the urge to do it when I really like a show, and the actors really seem to appreciate it. I'll never ask a performer to sign more than my Playbill or even to take a photo with me--although I've taken pictures of my daughter with her faves. Often, I'll make a point of asking child actors and supporting actors for their signatures, and not just the star, which tickles them. In Brooklyn a couple of years ago, my teenage daughter and I went to Theater of the New Ear and we approached every star in it or attending it in the lobby: Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Frances McDormand, the Coen brothers, Steve Buscemi, Hope Davis, and more...since we were the only ones doing it and she was young, they were incredibly gracious with us, giving her their autographs and encouraging her. I think when Nicole Kidman, looking like a goddess, leaned over to wish her luck in college in the fall, my kid just about fainted. And later that night, she thanked me and told me she would never, ever forget the experience. It can really be lovely, and yeah, on occasion, you can get into an interesting conversation, and perhaps make a friend (although not TOO likely) And it's easy enough for the actors to avoid if they DON'T want the contact.

[Chrissy*J]

Posted: 2/15/08 at 10:51pm

I stagedoor almost every show I see. It really depends on what I thought of the show and who is in it. Also, nowadays it depends if I'm feeling well enough to stand outside for a long time. I don't get autographs as much anymore, but I still ask for pictures if the actors have the time. I've also met a lot of my friends stagedooring. I use stagedooring as a potential opportunity to make more friends who love the theatre as much as I do. It's just a fun thing to do, plus it's a free way to kill time before I have to get back home.

[MaronaDavies]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 12:11am

"I read a while back that some some of the actors who are used for "Stunt Casting" are only allowed to sign playbill's and not dvd's, cd's, pictures or books - is that right? or is that their personal preference?"

I'm pretty sure that's a matter of personal preference. The production can't really control what they do outside the theatre. It's probably because they don't want abuse from the professional autograph hounds and they don't want the stuff to turn up on eBay. And some people come with loads of stuff, and if the actors took the time to sign it all, it wouldn't be fair to everyone else waiting. I'd heard that when Julia Roberts did her play (can't remember the title) they actually checked tickets in the stage door queue to make sure that everyone waiting had legitimately seen the show, and wasn't just there as a professional autograph dealer.

[Urban]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 1:13am

LizzyCurry, Great comment as always- but if the actors start being able to validate carparking tickets, I'd be happy to stagedoor then. :)

[FosterChild]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 1:35am

Different strokes for different folks I guess but, like others have said on various threads, it's the people who stage door multiple times a week and haven't even seen the show on those particular nights that really seem troubled to me.
Updated On: 2/16/08 at 01:35 AM

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 9:29am

I stagedoor to tell the actor or actress what a great job they did. I only ask for an autograph though. I met some actors who seem quite honored that I wanted their autograph. And some that didn't seem so honored. LOL. I'm too shy to ask for a picture. I do stagedoor more than once at the same show. That's because the cast is usually different. It's a momento of a wonderful night to me and I can always look back at the autographs and think of that night.