Would you pay extra to stage door - Page 2

[Demitri2]

Posted: 8/27/20 at 8:40pm

The few times I stage doored I found the cast members were having as much fun as I was. After MATILDA my friend and I thought it would be fun to hang out afterward. We were fortunate to have been able to secure seats in the front row. Note the production is pretty well lit. After the show when the cast exited the theatre a bunch of them recognized us. Sweet Jill Paice said she could feel my energy and asked if I saw her wink at me at curtain call. I said yes but to be honest missed it. Leslie Margarita was hilarious as were others. And we didn't even ask for autographs. No need. It was the interaction and ability to thank them personally that marked the evening.

Besides, I was under the impression that there are other ways for a performer to exit a theatre other than the stage door if they choose, The lobby being one.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 8/27/20 at 8:50pm

Demitri2 said: "The few times I stagedoored I found the cast members were having as much fun as I was. After MATILDA my friend and I thought it would be fun to hang out afterward. We were fortunate to have been able to secure seats in the front row. Note the production is pretty well lit. After the show when the cast exited the theatre a bunch of them recognized us. Sweet Jill Paice said she could feel my energy and asked if I saw her wink at me at curtain call. I said yes but to be honest missed it. Leslie Margarita was hilarious as were others. And we didn't even ask for autographs. No need. It was the interaction and abilityto thank them personallythat marked the evening.

Besides, I was under the impression that there are other ways for a performer to exit a theatre other than the stage door if they choose, The lobby being one."

There are other ways to enter and exit the theatre that isn’t the stage door. Since there are doors that go from the orchestra seating section to the stage, I have seen many a lead performers, most who would be eaten alive at the stage door, leave through the lobby and dash away in the opposite direction of the stage door. 

[darreyl102]

Posted: 8/27/20 at 9:55pm

Jarethan said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "Stage dooring has zero to do with the show, the actors or the theatre. It’s equivalent to anyone leaving work and confronted on the street by a stranger. An actor signs and interacts with fans of their own doing. It’s not part of their job and they are not deducted from their pay or reported to Equity is they don’t stage door. Charging fans would legally bind the theatre and cast to “perform” after work, which no one would do nor would Actor’s Equity go out of their way to make legal."

Well said. IMO the original idea was just desperate. When Iwas a kid, i.e., 50 years ago, I used to see the same people stage dooring regularly...I often wondered (since I did startto recognize a number of the regulars) whether some of them had actually been to see a performance in ages.

I concludedthere are three groups of people: those who come to see the show; those who come to stage door; and those who come to see the show and do occasionally stage door. I wonder which group the person who started this thread falls into."

As a studying actor, I go to the theater for more than just entertainment. When I'm in the audience I'm studying the show, watching how the actors interpret scenes and songs, how different actors interpret the same character. I always have said that live theater is one of the best places to watch and learn if you are a learning actor. Going to the stage door afterwards is my way of telling the actors thank you, not just for putting on a great show but be an example and a teacher for upcoming actors to learn from. I especially enjoyed watching The ensemble members because they are the hardest workers, and often the least acknowledged. It's interesting how a lot of The ensemble actors will be surprised and appreciative when I ask for their autograph or tell them  "good show" at the stage door. I think a lot of times people at the stage door ignore them and wait for the big stars to come out.  It's interesting to sometimes get in conversations with the actors and getting advice from them. I've gotten a lot of really really great advice and actors at stage doors. 

I'm a minority , I know. It might sound strange, but that's how I feel. Lol

Now to answer the question. Lol. If it isn't ridiculously high priced I might, especially if part of it was going to Broadway cares or something like that. I've never really paid for a meet and greet at a concert because they were too expensive to justify. Maybe they can limit the number of people who stage door and have some kind of sign up process for it. IDK

 

Updated On: 8/27/20 at 09:55 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 8/28/20 at 1:13am

Truth be told, I would pay good cash to see the stage door tradition gradually die down every year, leading to a slow, eventual extinction. Most fans that wait there nowadays are toxic, rude, and pathetically intolerant as they hog Broadway actors they don't even know personally (for the most part). Such fans do not even deserve this treatment. It makes me feel safer that I've been avoiding these zoos for a long time, even before the shutdown.

That being said, I'm glad some professionals in the industry have thought about future interactions via Skype, Zoom, Cameo, and email. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/28/20 at 7:50pm

It's a moot point.  The reason for not having is to protect the health of the artist and the audience member / fan.  Anything else is wishful thinking.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/28/20 at 7:50pm

It's a moot point.  The reason for not having is to protect the health of the artist and the audience member / fan.  Anything else is wishful thinking.  If anything I would be absolutely thrilled to have Broadway open again.  That in itself would be rewarding.  

Updated On: 8/28/20 at 07:50 PM