If you were truely going to be on stage, what name would you use? Your own or would you have a "Stage Name"? If a stage name, what would it be? I've always said if I was going to write a book or if I had made it as a singer, actor, etc, I would have changed my name to "Dani Blaine". D

I use a stage name... i won't say what it is, but I use my first name and my middle name as opposed to my first name and last name. I just had to alter the middle name a bit to make it sound like a last name.

I would probably keep my own name, because if I were to use a different one it would just... be weird. Plus, I have an extremely unusual last name, so I don't think it would be any problem.

Yeah, I use my first and middle name too, add a hyphen and drop my last. I do now... I may not in a few years. I would never completely change my name though. "You! You are the worst thing to happen to musical theatre since Andrew Lloyd Webber! And you, well, I just plain don't like you." ~Stewart Gilligan Griffin

When Jane Krakowski became a Broadway star, she made stage names irrelevant. "Christ, Bette Davis?!?!"

What is the point of a stage name? I don't get it. Why not just use your real name? CCM '10!

I would use my real name. People told me that it's a great stage name. "Someone tell the story...Someone sing the song...."

For some people, it helps keep the sanity. It seperates the professional persona from the personal persona. Gives them balance. Also, the unions have rules that no two performers in the union can have the same name and if your real name is taken, you need to uses something esle. Also, some people have down right strange names and they come up with something easier to say/spell or if they have a plain name, they want something more interesting to make them stand out.

In a way I understand, in I way I think it is rediculous! Maybe because I am a designer, who knows! CCM '10!

And I believe it's used for marketing. Some names just don't "sing"--if you know what mean. D

exactly.

I think the only time a stage name is truly appropriate is if you are a drag queen or a porno star. Or both. (My favorites being Helena Handbasket, Rose Pompadour, Anita Drink (or Anita Mann), Miles Long and the late Andy Mantegna. Varla Jean Merman is in a class by herself.) "Christ, Bette Davis?!?!"

Humm, Well I guess there are many reasons why one would want to use a stage name. Some good, some bad. Mine would be honor someone. D

I use my real name for now, and when I write I Have a pen name. STEVOS "IF I TRY THERE MAY BE A CHANCE / WE COULD LOVE WITH OUR EYES CLOSED/ WITH OUR EYES CLOSED WE COULD CHANGE THE WORLD!"- Stephen Dwight

My stage name would just be Jon Rybka. My own name but with the first named shortened from Jonathan since I hate the first name. If I was a drag queen I would be Elektra Luxx or Mona Whynnin ...this is wrong on so many levels... Diane Lane in "Must Love Dogs" "If you have poo, now is the time to fling it" -- The Monkey's from Madagascar

I think it is absolutely wrong of anybody to use anything but their actual names in any circumstances, be it onstage or on the internet or whatnot. It is morally reprehensible. The only exception is when Equity or SAG says there already is somebody with that name, and even then somebody should only change their names if they have no other career options. Other than that, pseudonyms are completely wrong. Isn't that right, Ron Pulliam? Sincerely, AKA Fynsworth I think we've finally reached the point in our society where "celebrity" just means "mammal." -- Seth Meyers

Well if a persons stage name is in fact their first and middle, instead of their first and third, whats the problem they are still using their true name, just ending it sooner, Also I see no problem with mixing up your names, using the format of last first or last middle. How about a middle last anyone, I know people do this all the time in non theater life....so whats wrong with it on stage? STEVOS "IF I TRY THERE MAY BE A CHANCE / WE COULD LOVE WITH OUR EYES CLOSED/ WITH OUR EYES CLOSED WE COULD CHANGE THE WORLD!"- Stephen Dwight

I use a stage name. Just my last name. Changed from something simple to LaBlanche. My real last name is just to boring and has no family connections also by the time I get into AEA it might be registered.

At first, when I was younger I wanted to have a stage name, but there was no reason for it. I like my name, and it will let people who once knew me recognize who I am when I get to Broadway!

Your Majesty, where can we read your writing? and my stage name was gonna be Trey Hampton. Reactions?!?!? Will: They don't give out awards for helping people be gay... unless you count the Tonys. "I guarantee that we'll have tough times. I guarantee that at some point one or both of us will want to get out. But I also guarantee that if I don't ask you to be mine, I'll regret it for the rest of my life..."

Well, nothing has been published...but I have written a play, I write poetry, and I am working on a musical and a play, and an outline for another musical. It just keeps life good...and I can't wait till next semester, I get to see one of my plays on stage! STEVOS "IF I TRY THERE MAY BE A CHANCE / WE COULD LOVE WITH OUR EYES CLOSED/ WITH OUR EYES CLOSED WE COULD CHANGE THE WORLD!"- Stephen Dwight

How is "The Bonny Swans" coming along, Stevos? D

My last name is VERY common -- THE single most common and generic last name ever. Yes I use a stage name :) "You're every gay man's wet dream!" ~ MA If in Heaven you don't excel, you can always party down in hell...

Haines? I think we've finally reached the point in our society where "celebrity" just means "mammal." -- Seth Meyers

Smith? Jones? But some famous people have been smith and jones. um... um.... ...this is wrong on so many levels... Diane Lane in "Must Love Dogs" "If you have poo, now is the time to fling it" -- The Monkey's from Madagascar