Stage Door Gift Ideas

[Emma Morgan]

I plan to see Beetlejuice soon and I know its common for people to have gifts for the actors. I wanted to make something for Alex Brightman thats Beetlejuice related, but I cant think of anything. Any and all ideas would be appreciated!

[Broadway Buddy]

I don’t have any ideas, but just beware that it’s going to be a 50/50 shot he’ll come out. I have friends who have stagedoored and have met him, but I’ve seen it three times, stagedoored twice and both times he hasn’t come out. One was a Saturday night. The other time was a Friday night.

[dramamama611]

I PROMISE this is meant with no malice, whatsoever.   A well worded note/letter would likely be a more appreciated gesture.  Actors get SO much tchotchke, that many of them are forgotten almost immediately - so struggling to think of something is likely a waste of your time and money.  But if you feel strongly about the actor's past performances, or this one in particular, take the time to craft a geniune note.

 

As an educator for 25+ years - I have saved EVERY SINGLE LETTER I have ever rec'd, but very few gifts.  And those gifts don't come home with me, they stay in my classroom, which is FAR bigger than anyone's dressing room - and when I retire, I'm guessing they will all be tossed out.  Those letters?  Bury them with me, they mean the world.

[Jordan Catalano]

Yes, a nice note is all you need. Anything else (unless it’s a visa gift card or cash) is likely to be thrown or given away. And don’t give actors anything edible - it was always be thrown away immediately.

[ModernMillie3]

As the weather gets colder, they will come out less and less to preserve their voice. A letter is a lovely idea, and he would probably really appreciate it. 

[Emma Morgan]

Thank you! I’ve seen it once and he didn’t come out, I’m hoping to see it again and maybe see him.

[Emma Morgan]

Thank you for this! It’s actually very helpful advice!

[Emma Morgan]

Thank you!

[Emma Morgan]

Thank you, I’ll be sure to keep this in mind!

[VintageSnarker]

Do you have any artistic skills? There are some very talented Broadway fans. But I wouldn't make something just to make something. Like, don't suddenly try to learn embroidery or screen printing just to have a gift but if there's something you know how to do very well, it's a nice gesture. I think of gifts like flowers. It's a token of appreciation in the moment you present it. Flowers die and get thrown out. Some people might not even wait until they've wilted. It's crazy to expect an actor, especially one getting tons of things, to keep everything. But I do think it's a nice gesture that you put in the time to make something the same way it's nice to buy some flowers if you feel like doing it.

[yankeefan7]

"And don’t give actors anything edible - it was always be thrown away immediately."

Even Schmackary's cookies ? - lol

[Jordan Catalano]

If a stranger came up to you on the street and gave you something to eat, would you eat it? Even if it was a maple bacon cookie?

[yankeefan7]

"If a stranger came up to you on the street and gave you something to eat, would you eat it? Even if it was a maple bacon cookie?"

I was just joking and yes in the world today sadly you can not trust anybody.

[lightsarebrightonbroadway]

Just thought I'd chime in on this, as an ensemble member who will on the occasion receive things from fans at the stage door, a note or a piece of artwork goes a long away. There have been a few times when i've received really thoughtful food gifts that have for safety reasons needed to be thrown out. If you do want to get the cast food I'd get it delivered directly to the theatre from somewhere that is guaranteed safe (wink wink schmackary's)

[Sampatches]

yankeefan7 said: ""And don’t give actors anything edible - it was always be thrown away immediately."

Even Schmackary's cookies ? - lol"

They‘ll get given to the crew. Speaking from experience as said crew also everyone is generally sick of Schmackery’s backstage because we get 3-5 boxes A WEEK

[SmoothLover]

I walked by a theatre dumpster one evening and came home with quite a haul. Just saying.....

[WestEndGal]

Do all letters that get sent to actors via stagedoor get read and vetted by other people before they are given to the actors themselves? Always wondered this!

[yankeefan7]

"also everyone is generally sick of Schmackery’s backstage because we get 3-5 boxes A WEEK"

Understood. I only get to have them when I am in NYC which is usually 1-2 times a year.

[BrodyFosse123]

WestEndGal said: "Do all letters that get sent to actors via stagedoorget read and vetted by other people before they are given to the actors themselves? Always wondered this!"

No.  All correspondence received is given to the intended person.  What that person (actor) does with it, is their responsibility.  If they have an assistant screen their letters, that’s their doing.  Much to the surprise (and assumption) of many, not all actors have assistants.  Many handle all their personal things themselves.    

[Heather4]

Emma Morgan said: "I plan to see Beetlejuice soon and I know its common for people to have gifts for the actors. I wanted to make something for Alex Brightman thats Beetlejuice related, but I cant think of anything. Any and all ideas would be appreciated!"

I agree with what others have said about a well worded letter/card, and art.  Something unique, thoughtful and meaningful goes a long way.  I know the Beetlejuice cast loves the fanart they get, I think Leslie stated at one point there were four stairwells of amazing art and growing! If he does not stage door that evening, you can leave your gift with security or the stage door doorman and they'll get it to him.  That was what I did with my gift to Alex last week and he did indeed receive the gift.