Writing letters to performers....

[jennafan]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 6:33pm

I know there is already a thread about getting stuff back from Broadway performers, but my question is a little different.

Has anyone written to someone they are a fan of who was either in a touring company or performing in a certain city for only a few weeks/months? Do all theatres accept fan mail?

Have you ever recieved anything back from someone you wrote to who was only at the theatre a short time?


Updated On: 1/1/09 at 06:33 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 6:38pm

You can't always write directly to a theatre. A few times I've had them returned to me if the show has been at the theatre before and the post office considers it an invalid address.

[Mamie]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 6:39pm

I have. It only takes a couple of days to get mail to any theatre. Make sure you address it to the performer, in care of the theatre (and the title of the show). They have to pass it on to the performer. It's US Mail and they'd be breaking federal law if they didn't pass it on. They do have the option of returning it to the post office if the show has moved on but you'd know about it because it would come back to you.

edit: I forgot to add that I do get things back - but only if I include a SASE with my note. If I want a photo or Playbill autographed, I make sure I include it in my letter to them. I make it as easy and cost-free as possible and I've rarely been disappointed.

Updated On: 1/1/09 at 06:39 PM

[Winston3]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 8:50pm

My friend of mine has been into writing to the actors to ask them questions on performing etc or to talk about the show that they are in or things like that. As a theatre fan for years I must say that that is something that I kind of want to do but never have gotten around to doing it. She uses facebook and write them a fan message that way. And, to my surprise a vast majority of them have been friendly. The only way I would even consider doing something like this is if the actor or actress has a website and they offer their email address on the website.

It's interesting, now that I realize it. I remember going to the website of Tale Of Two Cities and the cast on the website for the most part had either their myspace or facebook or both. And keep in mind that there are performers who use myspace and facebook as a way to interact wit the fans and of course family. And, then there are others who just use it for personal reasons.

[jejr]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 10:47pm

Be VERY careful and don't write more that once. It can turn the performer off - I speak from learning a hard earned lesson. If you leave a gift at the stage door - not give it to them in person, chances are they will not thank you - another hard earned lesson.
There is one performer in a touring show who I really respect for their fantastic talent but wore out my welcome by saying too much.

[Winston3]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 11:02pm

I have also learned by witnessing that if you stage door the same show more then once and your quite they tend not to find you as freaky as those who chat with the actors like they are good friends. I remember being at In The Heights and there was someone there who I guess had seen the show a bunch of times. Now, I have seen it a couple of times and stage doored both times. But, the difference between me and the other person was that they were chatting it up with the cast as if they knew them. Yet, when one of the actresses went to her it was clear that she was uncomfortable with his actions. But, when she came to me she was joking with me about how I am always quite and if I ever talk etc and that in and of itself got a little chat started.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 12:09am

And don't write the letters in blood.

They HATE that.

[brandontwin2]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 12:16am

If an actor contacts you would that allow you to be a little more friendly I would think?

[jejr]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 1:36pm

The actor emailing me did NOT become more friendly.
Updated On: 1/2/09 at 01:36 PM

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 8:15pm

I have only ever written a letter once. I usually go through Facebook or Myspace if I have a question or just to tell them what I thought of the show if I didn't get a chance to stagedoor and tell them that way. All the people I have contacted that way are very nice about it and will answer my questions and write back to me. But then again I don't do that all the time or to everyone in the cast. Just the ones that have kinda gotten know me through stagedoor meetings.

[Bwayfan39]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 8:34pm

I have tried to contact 2 actors before and I never got a response from either of them-but I did not expect one because they are not known for doing that sort of thing. I did it via e-mail which was given on each one's personal website and I just wrote that I enjoed their performance and I can't even remeber if I asked any questions, i don't think so...

But I never really felt the need to contact the actor unless I felt that they were aboslutly outstanding and I did not get the opportunity to tell them so...but unsually I'm too nervous to e-mail them.

[jennafan]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 12:39am

Ok, thanks

[Winston3]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 12:47am

I just did my first "fan letter" via an actors facebook. Their response was not of the nature of them being angry with me that I contacted them that way. They were more happy that I enjoyed the show and were very happy to answer any questions I had. I have done it a couple of times now and the actors response has been more then thrilled that someone would take the time out to talk to them about the show.

[skb2010]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 12:57am

I emailed an actor from Chicago's Spelling Bee cast, and he answered all of my question and was really nice about it.