Can you take a photo with an actor/actress when you stagedoor?

[TheatreGirl146]

Okay, so someone told me you cannot take photos with the actors, but you can take a photo OF the actor/actress. But i also see photos of people taking selfies with them... Help? 

[LizzieCurry]

Someone is messing with you.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Example:  During "Addams' Family", Bebe N. would not pose with a fan, but it seemed o.k. to take a picture of her.  Some artists prefer that.  She did sign autographs at the stage door.  

[jbird5]

It depends on the actor. The more crowded it is, the less likely they may be to take selfies. Even then there are exceptions.

[JBroadway]

Regarding posed photos: It completely depends on the actor. Most Broadway actors are perfectly happy taking photos with fans. Sometimes the more famous ones don't want to, but usually the security guard will announce that beforehand.

In almost every case, however, there is no rule against taking photos OF the actors. I can think of only 2 occasions where an actor has requested that no photos be taken of them whatsoever - it's very rare. 

[Rainah]

As someone who doesn't really do photos but stagedoors a lot, I believe the ettiquette is

Unless you hear otherwise, it is acceptable to ask an actor for a selfie. Preferably, have your camera ready so it doesn't take up too much of their time. It is also acceptable to take photos/videos of them.

Some actors have a no selfie (or rarely, no photos at all) policy. This will be announced prior to the actor coming out so you will know. (Also, some actors may take selfies one night and not another, for various reasons). Always respect their stated rules.


Most I've seen have been cool with it though!
 

 

[michaelhale]

TheatreGirl146 said: "Okay, so someone told me you cannot take photos with the actors, but you can take a photo OF the actor/actress. But i also see photos of people taking selfies with them... Help?"

If they were talking about the Dear Evan Hansen stage door then they would be correct, but every other stage door I have been to hasnt had that rule (with the exception of some actors- Ingrid Michaelson at The Great Comet didn't take pictures). It will almost always be announced by the person handling stage door if it's a policy for any actor at any given stage door. I've never seen an actor say no to a selfie, either (although I personally don't usually do selfies unless it's someone I really admire like that.), so unless it's against policy it seems to generally be fine.

[anislander]

Like mentioned above, it really depends on the show/the actor. The bigger Hollywood stars rarely take pictures with fans, especially if they're HUGE and people stage door that didn't see the show. At Dear Evan Hansen, I know that you aren't allowed to take pictures with anyone in the cast due to some issues they had at the stage door last spring/summer, but as the OBC leaves and replacements come in, that might change. Sometimes Ethan Slater doesn't take pictures at Spongebob, but other times he does. I remember when I saw Hamilton during Spring Break of 2016 (so at its height of popularity), Chris Jackson did not take any pictures. Sometimes Jenn Colella won't if she has somewhere to be after Come From Away. These really are the only instances I've had stagedooring where actors have not taken pictures, anywhere else, the actors are more than happy to if you ask. 

But if you are specifically told that an actor will not take pictures, please for the love of God don't ask them anyway. It just wastes time and is annoying for them to say no. 

[poisonivy2]

Yes, just ask them. Usually if it's between matinees many actors have less time to take selfies because they have to go back and do another show. Also they might be less willing if it's freezing cold, raining, etc.

I was really surprised that once Sara Bareilles came out between matinee shows and signed all the programs even though she was visibly struggling with a cold. She said "no selfies' but anyone could snap a picture of her. She's pretty tiny in real life. For whatever reason I had always thought she was Taylor Swift-tall and barely recognized it when this petite lady came out and started signing. 

[msmp]

Seconding what's been said above: for the most part, just politely ask if they'd mind posing for a selfie unless there's been an announcement by security or the actor/actress that they won't be posing.

Fun story, though: when I stage-doored for War Paint, Patti Lupone wasn't able to sign because she was suffering from hip pain pre-surgery, so it was just Christine Ebersole. Christine came out and said something like "It's just me tonight, guys, so let's not do selfies." And then immediately started signing and said "Well...alright, one a piece!" and posed quickly for people who had their cameras ready.

Basically, extend the same courtesy you do when asking someone to sign: be polite, be kind, and be willing to take no for an answer and you should be just fine!