Gifting Actors

[DoTheDood]

So I'm seeing BMC in a few weeks and I wanted to to send a gift and a letter to one of the actors (it's some art I'm making of him which I'm going to print and laminate), but I'm wondering 1) is this weird? Some people mentioned it's kind of stalker-ish, but idk. This wouldn't be much different if I posted it online and sent to him it that way, just now he has a physical copy of the art. And 2) if it's alright to send a gift, is their a way to give it to him not at the stagedoor, like before the show? I've heard the BMC stagedoor can be crazy at times and I want him to have it. Is their a way I can give it to the theater and have them give it to the actor in some way? I've heard tho that gifts before the show are bad luck, but I've only heard flowers used as an example, so idk?

[AEA AGMA SM]

Not to burst your bubble, but the reality is that a large majority of the gifts that actors receive from random fans end up in the trash sooner rather than later. Many appreciate the sentiment, but the reality is that most just don't have the room for it and there's no real emotional attachment compelling them to hang on to those items for very long. 

If your heart is really set on it, however, and you don't want to give it to them after the show, then I would recommend dropping it off at the stage door the afternoon before the show. Make sure it's clearly marked who it's intended for. I've never heard of this "gifts before the show are bad luck" superstition. If that was true, then every opening night would be cursed as gifts are arriving throughout that day and everyone ends up being inundated with everything they need to take up to their dressing rooms as they arrive. 

[dramamama611]

Even those that hang on to stuff for awhile, in their dressing rooms, don't keep things long term.  (Of course, I'm sure there are some that are favorites and might find their way back to actor's home.)  Think about it, just how much do you think they CAN save?   I don't have a tiny NY apartment, and I seldom keep "stuff" given to me from my students/parents.  (Gift cards are awesome, though)

 

A well written letter on the other hand can be cherished.

 

But yes to the other things AEA said about timing.

[MannPhan24601]

Schmackarys has a program where fans can send cookies to their favorite Broadway actors. Sent a dozen to David Cook during his last week in Kinky Boots and he said he got them at his last show and joked that he was "paying for his own that night ".

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

The actors do not need or want your gifts and, to be blunt, they don’t care about meeting you either. If you really want to do something in celebration of an actor, make a donation in their name to ACLU or BCEFA or Actors Fund or something like that.

Do not give it at the stage door, they’re trying to leave. DEFINITELY don’t do it before the show, that’s weird and stalkerish.

If you feel you MUST give a gift, make sure it’s very small and lightweight in size.

[Braniff Forever]

If it makes you happy to make them a gift, I would say do it! And delivering it early might be a good idea, but I would guess, in this day and time, that the gift be clear about what it is. If you put it in a box and wrap it up like a Christmas or birthday present, they might be leery of you leaving it, because who knows what could be in the box? You could tie a bow around it and attach a card, but don’t conceal what is. That would be my advice if you’re gonna drop it off at the Lyceum.

[DoTheDood]

AEA AGMA SM said: "Not to burst your bubble, but the reality is that a large majority of the gifts that actors receive from random fans end up in the trash sooner rather than later. Many appreciate the sentiment, but the reality is that most just don't have the room for it and there's no real emotional attachment compelling them to hang on to those items for very long.

If your heart is really set on it, however, and you don't want to give it to them after the show, then I would recommend dropping it off at the stage door the afternoon before the show. Make sure it's clearly marked who it's intended for. I've never heard of this "gifts before the show are bad luck" superstition. If that was true, then every opening night would be cursed as gifts are arriving throughout that day and everyone ends up being inundated with everything they need to take up to their dressing rooms as they arrive."

I mean idc if he keeps it forever, I understand it's probably only a small thing. As long as he doesn't throw it in the trash while I'm looking, I'll be fine as it's his after that. Also I'm going to the matinee, so would that then mean morning of? 

[BroadwayRox3588]

I say give it to the theatre, and ask them to give it to the actor. I've done it before, and it's always worked out. If you wait until the stage door, you risk the intended recipient not doing the stage door after that particular performance.

[DoTheDood]

BroadwayRox3588 said: "I say give it to the theatre, and ask them to give it to the actor. I've done it before, and it's always worked out. If you wait until the stage door, you risk the intended recipient not doing the stage door after that particular performance."

Would that just be the box office then? Or is there a better place to hand it off to?

[IronMan]

If you want to give an actor your drawing of them, go ahead (by leaving it at the stage door or mailing it to the theater), but don't expect it to be cherished due to the volume of things many receive, and know it is very rare that any of these are actually flattering. 

 Do NOT have it framed, as you would be wasting your money.  
 

[BroadwayRox3588]

The stage door personnel is usually a pretty safe bet. Whenever I give something to an actor (it's rare), I just ring the bell at the stage door, and give it to the person inside who works at the theatre.

[artscallion]

I'd bring something small and memorable, like a nice vest made from the skin of the last actor you stalked.

[haterobics]

BMC is unique in that their stage door is not at the theatre's proper stage door, so after they sign and do whatever with the fans, they still get to stop by their dressing room, so not as awkward as handing someone something on their way out to grab dinner...

[BroadwayRox3588]

I wish they had used the actual stage door, so the tweens could get really confused, and think there was no stage door.

[VintageSnarker]

Oh, for God's sake, I think it's sweet that you took the time to make something. I don't think it's stalkerish unless the actor is naked in the drawing or something weird like that. And I've seen fan art from some wildly talented people. 

Based on past threads, I would try the stage door. If it's easier to drop it off instead of mailing it, you could still include a self-addressed envelope and a mention about a charity donation if you'd like a response. Not guaranteed but since it's apparently something you can print and laminate, it should fit in an envelope. 

[DoTheDood]

IronMan said: "If you want to give an actor your drawing of them, go ahead (by leaving it at the stage door or mailing it to the theater), but don't expect it to be cherished due to the volume of things many receive, and know it is very rare that any of these are actually flattering.

Do NOT have it framed, as you would be wasting your money.
"

I didn't even think of framing it, but I did think of at least laminating it so it doesn't get destroyed on the way to the actor. I assume that would be fine 

[Jordan Catalano]

If you insist on making something for someone in a show, drop it off in a package with the person’s name clearly on it, at the stage door. Besides giving it to the person by hand, this is the only way to do it. And it will get to them. That’s the job of the crew back there.

[SmoothLover]

With the times we live in in regards to security I think it is a bad idea unless you personally know the actor. Most things like that get scanned and then thrown in the trash.

[DoTheDood]

SmoothLover said: "With the times we live in in regards to security I think it is a bad idea unless you personally know the actor. Most things like that get scanned and then thrown in the trash."

That's why I'm really going against the birthday package idea suggested by some people, way too easy for someone to just chuck away without checking. I was thinking of either having the poster flat (that's probably a bit awkward handle maybe) or roll it up and tie it with string (so they could check inside and see it's just a poster, but it might lead the poster to keep rolling up on itself)

[papershroud]

I've never had any issues dropping things off with the stage door staff at a theater before a show. The actors or someone in their circle always knew something was being dropped off, though.

[haterobics]

SmoothLover said: "With the times we live in in regards to security I think it is a bad idea unless you personally know the actor. Most things like that get scanned and then thrown in the trash."

Seems like a lot of people online didn't get the memo. Always eating snacks and baked goods from fans, etc., and taking pictures and posting about it...