This is the death of the stage door

[Speed]

I don't think the actors will go back to giving it away for free. Nor do I think they should.

[Jordan Levinson]

There are already a couple of threads on this topic.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?thread=1121844

https://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?thread=1123104

Anyway, when B'way comes back- hopefully late next year- there will not be stage door until it is completely safe and actors feel comfortable conversing with patrons at a close distance. I probably won't stagedoor a show ever again for safety reasons, but that does not mean the tradition will never come back... give it a few years after reopening and B'way stage door mobs will be overwhelmingly large once again.

[HogansHero]

it would be fantastic if they could manage to end stagedooring on this pretext but the truth is that safety will have returned when Broadway returns and so there will be no "reason of safety" for prohibiting the odious practice.

[Speed]

I forgot to say WHAT is the death of the stage door:

BroadwayPlus.com.

Actors will and should charge for the up close experience.

[Speed]

I forgot to say WHAT is the death of the stage door:

BroadwayPlus.com.

Actors will and should charge for the up close experience.

[Jordan Catalano]

K.

[Mr Roxy]

In the grand scheme of things who cares. Many more important things to worry about. . When you planted 6 feet under will you take them with you?

[Sutton Ross]

Jesus Christ

[BrodyFosse123]

Speed said: "I forgot to say WHAT is the death of the stage door:

BroadwayPlus.com.

Actors will and should charge for the up close experience."

THIS and every other theory you can think of has been discussed, dissected and exhausted weeks ago.  Read those threads they linked above for you.  We have no need to regurgitate things we already talked about.  We all have moved on.  

 

[Highland Guy]

BrodyFosse123 said: "THIS and every other theory you can think of has been discussed, dissected and exhausted weeks ago. Read those threads they linked above for you. We have no need to regurgitate things we already talked about. We all have moved on. "

 

 

[Jordan Catalano]

I can’t believe this is still a discussion being had.

Here’s the thing. Producers have realized the importance of the stage door over the past few years as a free promotional tool due to the exposure on social media and in some cases have written into actors contracts that they will do it. When Broadway returns, as has also been said, it will be when it is safe for people to be shoulder to shoulder again. Broadway will also need as much exposure as possible to make people feel safe returning and I feel safe in saying that these posts of people at the stage door again will be an important part of that.

[TheatreFan4]

I don't understand people's rabid hatred of stage dooring...

[Jordan Levinson]

TheatreFan4 said: "I don't understand people's rabid hatred of stage dooring..."

Some fans tend to misbehave/act out of line, which can ruin the experience for others. Fans there can be pushy, rude, and annoying, and there have been stories in recent years of stalkers/sexual assaulters waiting by the stage door as well. It was a very scary place for most shows before the pandemic.

[Sutton Ross]

^ Correct. 

[blaxx]

TheatreFan4 said: "I don't understand people's rabid hatred of stage dooring..."

You can't assume we live in times of balanced admiration and respect.

With all the dangers and erratic behaviors displayed in America in the past few decades, I would be very cautious as to how stage door is handled.

It will never go away but nowadays, it can be less joy and more mayhem. 

[Dollypop]

TheatreFan4 said: "I don't understand people's rabid hatred of stage dooring..."

 

As someone who is friends with quite a few stage actors, I've visited them in their dressing rooms after a show and then walked out the stage door with them afterwards. When you see the manic--sometimes demonic--looks on the faces of some of the fans with all those hands reaching out with their Playbills, you realize how bizarre stage dooring has become.

People have asked ME for autographs and I have nothing to do with the show!

 

[HogansHero]

@Jordan, who are these actors with stagedooring written in their contracts? 

In my experience, most actors would avoid the stage door if they could (and some do when they can, either by escape routes - not very available in most Broadway houses - or by remaining prisoners in their dressing rooms until the idiots give up and leave). Maybe there are a few producers (or, more likely, their SM teams) who encourage it, but I honestly have never heard that from the mouth of one. I stand by my "rabid" belief that it is odious.

[VotePeron]

I can already see the Cameo flyer insert in the Mean Girls playbill...

[Sutton Ross]

It's not a rabid belief at all, Hogan. I think many people feel that way. 

I always imagine someone building little bridges between several buildings, going up there after the show, crossing it and exiting a neighboring building. I know it will never happen, but I think really popular actors would sincerely appreciate it.

I think the stage door will be a thing of the past since Broadway actors can now money on Cameo. Health concerns, mental health concerns, and safety concerns have really been increasing in the past five years it seems.  

[HogansHero]

Sutton Ross said: "It's not a rabid belief at all, Hogan. I think many people feel that way.
 

Maybe rabies is infecting the theatre more than covid.


I always imagine someone building little bridges between several buildings, going up there after the show, crossing it and exiting a neighboring building. I know it will never happen, but I think really popular actors would sincerely appreciate it.
 

There are at least a couple of examples of this, although I haven't heard of any bridges. LOL 


I think the stage door will be a thing of the past since Broadway actors can now money off Cameo. Health concerns, mental health concerns, and safety concerns have really been increasing in the past five years it seems."

I can't speak for anyone else but I find Cameo and its ilk creepy.

[Sutton Ross]

Yeah, I went on there once and wondered who the hell would pay Corey Cott $150 for a 60 second video of him talking. People are wild. 

[FindingNamo]

I think celebs should charge for interactions but that people should be less judgey about real, honest, sex work. I know the world of theater has been Human Resource Departmented in conjunction with the elimination of red light districts, but I think celebrities should donate a portion of their Cameo income to RENTMEN and women and other genders.

Also, after the pandemic, there will be no market for celebrity for celebrity's sake.  As an aside, I hope the changes keep Laura Benanti out of my sight because I would find it very tough to hold my tongue about the number of TV shows ruined by her very presence. Except for the Matthew Perry vehicle "Goon" and "That's My Anorexia!" or whatever her eating disorder sitcom was called. Was it "Are You Being Served Solids?" #GoldenAge #ViewersForQualityTelevision #HerMelaniaIsJustOkay #SheRuinedTheDetour #SupergirlHasTwoMommies

[hearthemsing22]

Good!! Now people can actually enjoy bows/curtain call and respect the actors instead of rushing to get a spot at the stagedoor!