Questions about Broadway Tech and sending things to the theaters

[Mefraz17]

Posted: 2/27/17 at 5:38pm

So, I just recently went up to New York and saw several Broadway productions with a school group and I have a lot of questions about some of the effects and other tech of the shows. Ive been working on making flowers to send up to the theaters as application for the performances along with some of my questions for each show. I'm not necessarily expecting answers to my questions, I just want the chance to ask them. Some of my friends have told me that it's inappropriate and that I'm wasting my time. So, my question is, is it creepy/innapropriate/wierd/a waste of time to send handmade flowers not addressed to individual performers or technicians to a Broadway theater with a note of appreciation and some wuestions about their equipment and tech? 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 2/27/17 at 5:48pm

I would say the flowers are probably unnecessary, but not really inappropriate or weird.

 

As for your letter/questions, there is nothing wrong with that at all. I would recommend addressing it to the stage management staff. If you still have your Playbill handy you'll find their names there, or you can just do a general address to "*Name of Show* Stage Management" (I would recommend putting that  even if you do have a name, just in case there was a recent staff change, the person you addressed it to is on vacation, etc). The response rate may vary, but as long as you are upfront in your letter about who you are (student, teacher, etc) and keep the tone of the letter respectful and don't come across as demanding answers, you'll most likely find a good number of people are open to answering as many questions as they can (there may be some things they can't disclose for a variety of reasons, especially if it's some sort of "magic" effect).

[MinnieFay]

Posted: 2/27/17 at 6:07pm

If you have specific "tech" questions, then the person you should contact is the technical or production supervisor (they are listed on the title page of the Playbill and on IBDB).  Once you have the name of the company (it's usually either Aurora Productions or Juniper Street or Hudson Theatricals) then google their website and E-MAIL your questions to them.  Do NOT bother sending a "snail mail" letter --- they won't have time to write you back (and DEFINITELY do not bother with sending the homemade flowers --- it's unnecessary and kinda weird).  Keep in mind that there are a lot of things that they won't tell you --- due to confidentiality, trade secrets, etc.  Again, do NOT bother with the flowers (or any homemade crafts projects).  If someone is helpful to you, show your appreciation by sending them a check made out to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS--- or arrange to have delivered to their office a box of local goodies --- like Schmackary's Cookies.

 

 

[trpguyy]

Posted: 2/27/17 at 6:33pm

You can also pose questions on here.

[AEA Stage Manager]

Posted: 2/27/17 at 6:38pm

I completely agree with AEA AGMA SM , if you send snail mail ( which is completely fine ) to the Stage Management Team at the theatre they will make sure it gets to the correct person. I think the idea of a handmade gift is pretty dang sweet. Whenever we received such gifts we usually put them by the call board or doorman's desk for a few days for the company to see.

Hope you get some answers!

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/28/17 at 11:45am

MinnieFay said: "...or arrange to have delivered to their office a box of local goodies --- like Schmackary's Cookies."

"Schmackary's: The Catnip of Broadway"

 

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/28/17 at 11:51am

MinnieFay said: "...do not bother with sending the homemade flowers --- it's unnecessary and kinda weird"

This might be true regarding the tech/production crew; such gestures are more likely to be appreciated by the performers. Many performers regularly post photographs on social media of items mailed to them at the theatre or given to them at the stage door.

 

[sparkledust]

Posted: 2/28/17 at 4:11pm

You should 100% post your questions here - I bet you'd get your answers.