jarrod001
|
Should it be required to sign autographs at the Stage Door?I saw Young Frankenstein, and was sad that I didn't get to meet Roger, Sutton, or Megan. And I just thought, If we pay good money to come see people we love to perform, the least they could do as a thanks is to greet fans at the Stage Door?
Andrea Martin and Shuler Hensley did and they were great =)
I personally would look forward to getting to sign autographs and meet people.
Now, i know sometimes they don't like to for various reasons, but really it's not asking much.
What do you think?
|
pish123c
|
You said it yourself:
| jarrod001 wrote: | | If we pay good money to come see people we love to perform |
We pay to see actors perform, not sign autographs. If they do greet their fans it's a wonderful gesture of course, but if all you care about is meaningless autographs and pictures with stars then go to Disney World.
|
jarrod001
|
| pish123c wrote: | You said it yourself:
| jarrod001 wrote: | | If we pay good money to come see people we love to perform |
We pay to see actors perform, not sign autographs. If they do greet their fans it's a wonderful gesture of course, but if all you care about is meaningless autographs and pictures with stars then go to Disney World. |
Lol, thats true
|
ActingDude17
|
They've got lives outside the show just like the rest of us.
|
musikal_geek
|
I LOVE seeing the cast after the show, but they're job is done when the curtain falls and everything is put away for the next show. Actors who see the audience at the stage door are there completely by choice. The autographs and pictures wouldn't be near as meaningful if they were being paid to sign them.
|
krisavalon
|
I think that personally, I would rather walk away with pleasant memories of someone's performance rather than unpleasant memories of that person being unfriendly or moody at the stage door because they were forced to be there.
|
jarrod001
|
| krisavalon wrote: | | I think that personally, I would rather walk away with pleasant memories of someone's performance rather than unpleasant memories of that person being unfriendly or moody at the stage door because they were forced to be there. |
I like it!
|
LittleRedLovesTheater
|
I don't think they should be expected to stand out there signing autogrpahs for hours because of course they're tired & have other things to do, but I think it's courteous to see the fans & the people who paid money to support them. If we didn't come see the shows they wouldn't have a job so I think it's nice to be there.
I remember when I went to see Beauty&theBeast before it closed Annaliese Van Der Pol [Belle] came out at the stage door & was completly rude to everyone, including the security guards standing out there. She signed autographs but barely spoke a word to anyone-not even the sweet little girls going "Belle!". & it ruined my impression of her....if it wasn't for the fans there would be no use in putting on a show.
|
jarrod001
|
| LittleRedLovesTheater wrote: | | I remember when I went to see Beauty&theBeast before it closed Annaliese Van Der Pol [Belle] came out at the stage door & was completly rude to everyone, including the security guards standing out there. She signed autographs but barely spoke a word to anyone-not even the sweet little girls going "Belle!". & it ruined my impression of her....if it wasn't for the fans there would be no use in putting on a show. |
I saw her too, and she did the same thing! lol
|
LittleRedLovesTheater
|
| jarrod001 wrote: |
I saw her too, and she did the same thing! lol |
ahh! see, I thought maybe she was having a bad night but this further confirms that she is a diva! lol.
If I was in her position I would sign autographs till my hands fell off 
|
ActingDude17
|
| LittleRedLovesTheater wrote: | | jarrod001 wrote: |
I saw her too, and she did the same thing! lol |
ahh! see, I thought maybe she was having a bad night but this further confirms that she is a diva! lol.
If I was in her position I would sign autographs till my hands fell off |
Easier said than done.
|
Bristian
|
| jarrod001 wrote: | | LittleRedLovesTheater wrote: | | I remember when I went to see Beauty&theBeast before it closed Annaliese Van Der Pol [Belle] came out at the stage door & was completly rude to everyone, including the security guards standing out there. She signed autographs but barely spoke a word to anyone-not even the sweet little girls going "Belle!". & it ruined my impression of her....if it wasn't for the fans there would be no use in putting on a show. |
I saw her too, and she did the same thing! lol |
I don't think it is being rude. After performing to the best of their ability in every performance, they come out and then have to meet the fans expections of having a 5 minute conversation with each person there. After doing a long show 8 days a week, I am sure that everybody would get tired of seeing all of those people who demand autographs, pictures, and god knows what else.
|
mastachen
|
^There are some performers that make it a point to come out every night if possible to meet with fans and sign autographs and take pictures. The two who I have heard are Jennifer Garner and Lea Salonga. And they're REALLY big stars. I don't expect to have 5 minute conversations with them, and I'm pretty sure not everybody at the stage door does, and they don't sign for hours. Exaggerations doesn't prove any points here. The point is, when you come out and you're not smiling and you're noticeably pissed that you have to sign autographs, when you see the fans, heave a huge sigh, plaster on a fake smile, or don't even bother smiling at all, or totally ignore the fans when they call your name (Lea Michele, are you reading this?), then yes you're a rude diva.
I mean, if they don't want to sign, they can just tell the fans nicely. When I was at the SA stagedoor, Matt Doyle explained to us that he was in a hurry to go home and change because he had another event later that night. He didn't sign any autographs but at least nobody thinks he's a little bitch for not doing so.
And yes, Annaliese Van Der Pol is a diva. She came out, ignored everybody, and got into her SUV, and drove off. Kids followed her from the stage door to the curb, and she couldn't even be bothered to turn around. My sister and I were pissed. Then I went to watch Spamalot later that night and I met Marin Mazzie and she was awesome and it was all good. 
|
jarrod001
|
| mastachen wrote: | | The point is, when you come out and you're not smiling and you're noticeably pissed that you have to sign autographs, when you see the fans, heave a huge sigh, plaster on a fake smile, or don't even bother smiling at all, or totally ignore the fans when they call your name (Lea Michele, are you reading this?), then yes you're a rude diva. |
i want to hear your lea michele story lol
|
Bristian
|
| mastachen wrote: | ^There are some performers that make it a point to come out every night if possible to meet with fans and sign autographs and take pictures. The two who I have heard are Jennifer Garner and Lea Salonga. And they're REALLY big stars. I don't expect to have 5 minute conversations with them, and I'm pretty sure not everybody at the stage door does, and they don't sign for hours. Exaggerations doesn't prove any points here. The point is, when you come out and you're not smiling and you're noticeably pissed that you have to sign autographs, when you see the fans, heave a huge sigh, plaster on a fake smile, or don't even bother smiling at all, or totally ignore the fans when they call your name (Lea Michele, are you reading this?), then yes you're a rude diva.
I mean, if they don't want to sign, they can just tell the fans nicely. When I was at the SA stagedoor, Matt Doyle explained to us that he was in a hurry to go home and change because he had another event later that night. He didn't sign any autographs but at least nobody thinks he's a little bitch for not doing so.
And yes, Annaliese Van Der Pol is a diva. She came out, ignored everybody, and got into her SUV, and drove off. Kids followed her from the stage door to the curb, and she couldn't even be bothered to turn around. My sister and I were pissed. Then I went to watch Spamalot later that night and I met Marin Mazzie and she was awesome and it was all good. |
It isn't their job to sign the autographs and take the pictures. And I didn't exaggerate. Somebody mentioned how she signed the autographs and didn't say anything and talked about how rude that makes her. And being an artist, every performance I am sure has its imperfections and it bothers those who are acting. When they are leaving after a rough day at work, I am sure they don't want a crowd of people there to bother them.
It would just be like (if you work) that when you would be leaving, if everybody who you had helped that day rushed you and was taking pictures and wanting you to sign autographs.
|
mastachen
|
| Bristian wrote: | | mastachen wrote: | ^There are some performers that make it a point to come out every night if possible to meet with fans and sign autographs and take pictures. The two who I have heard are Jennifer Garner and Lea Salonga. And they're REALLY big stars. I don't expect to have 5 minute conversations with them, and I'm pretty sure not everybody at the stage door does, and they don't sign for hours. Exaggerations doesn't prove any points here. The point is, when you come out and you're not smiling and you're noticeably pissed that you have to sign autographs, when you see the fans, heave a huge sigh, plaster on a fake smile, or don't even bother smiling at all, or totally ignore the fans when they call your name (Lea Michele, are you reading this?), then yes you're a rude diva.
I mean, if they don't want to sign, they can just tell the fans nicely. When I was at the SA stagedoor, Matt Doyle explained to us that he was in a hurry to go home and change because he had another event later that night. He didn't sign any autographs but at least nobody thinks he's a little bitch for not doing so.
And yes, Annaliese Van Der Pol is a diva. She came out, ignored everybody, and got into her SUV, and drove off. Kids followed her from the stage door to the curb, and she couldn't even be bothered to turn around. My sister and I were pissed. Then I went to watch Spamalot later that night and I met Marin Mazzie and she was awesome and it was all good. |
It isn't their job to sign the autographs and take the pictures. And I didn't exaggerate. Somebody mentioned how she signed the autographs and didn't say anything and talked about how rude that makes her. And being an artist, every performance I am sure has its imperfections and it bothers those who are acting. When they are leaving after a rough day at work, I am sure they don't want a crowd of people there to bother them.
|
Having a conversation is not the same as talking to the fans. Some actors have conversations, others smile, say hi, thank you, and if that's it, it's perfectly fine. Shit, you don't even have to smile to win me over. Jenny Galloway from Les Mis didn't, and I still think she's awesome. Lea Salonga asked me what I thought of the new cast, and complimented my sister on her dress, and then she was on her way. *presses the easy button* "That was easy."
I agree with LittleRed that what Annaliese did was rude. An actor, coming out of a stage door, should at least greet the fans with a hi, or if they're busy or occupied, tell the fans so, and then go on their way. I know Spring Awakening has some of the craziest fans, and if Spring Awakening cast members can do that without fans running after them down 49th, then the cast of other shows can too.
| Bristian wrote: |
It would just be like (if you work) that when you would be leaving, if everybody who you had helped that day rushed you and was taking pictures and wanting you to sign autographs. |
I'd remember that what allowed me to be so successful is not as much my own talents as much as it is the fans. If people aren't paying money to see me in a show, I'm going to be out of a job soon.
Also, I'm going to be a doctor. I don't foresee that to be a problem for me.
| jarrod001 wrote: | | i want to hear your lea michele story lol |
Jazzy has some Lea Michele stories in the Broadwaysecrets thread.
When I stagedoored SA, Lea came out, and walked towards the end of the barricades, where I was at, stops at me, see's me, and snatches the pen and playbill out of my hand and signs it. She didn't even give me the courtesy to ask for an autograph! I got in a very shy and scared, "excuse me.." I then thank her, she ignores me, goes back up the barricade, ignoring the girls standing on either side of me, signs two more autographs, posed for a picture, and took off the other way.
I know Sutton, Roger, and Megan go out the 42nd Street exit. The two times that I stagedoored Young Frankenstein, the doorman told me so. I did meet Fred Applegate, Andrea Martin, and this one ensemble member who loves to sign autographs, and they were all really pleasant people.
|
Elphaba22
|
I saw Spring Awakening when Alexandra Socha understudied for Wendla and every cast member in the show came out, talked to the fans, and took pictures and signed autographs, and it was a really nice thing of them to do. But I don't normally expect the actors to be so giving with their time. They're busy people and they're tired and quite often ready to leave after the curtain closes, not be friendly with every single fan.
Jonathan Groff was especially nice, he spoke personally to almost every single person stage door-ing, and took pictures with all the lovestruck girls at the door (including me).
Also, when I saw Wicked on tour, Victoria Matlock was extremely pleasant at the stagedoor, both time I saw her, and also, she responds to fan emails, which I find SO wonderful, especially because she is one of my favorite performers.
I think it's awesome of performers to do things like that, but they definitely should not be required to do so.
|
Mistress
|
I think it's time I brought up SJB and her awsomeness. Now, I haven't met her personally or anything, but I've seen a ton of Youtube stage door vids, and she seemed like the nicest person in the world there. She clearly loves the fans and the attention (in a good way) and I've even heard stories about her remembering people from past stage door visits and what-not. I've heard nothing but great things about meeting her and she seems like a very sweet lady. Taht being said, I don't think actors should be forced to go out an d sign autogralphs and whatever. It looses it's novelty then, and the aspecial quality of having met an actor who actually stopped to talk with you out of the kindness of their heart.
|
mastachen
|
^I'm sorry, but to me that sounds rather selfish. It seems like you're saying that whenever you go to meet your favorite stars, they should be nice and kind, but they shouldn't be that way to other people or else you wouldn't feel as special.
I don't know.. that's kinda what I got from you 
|
Salome
|
If iread how selfish most of you posting here are and I was performing on broadway..not only would I not go outside and sign but I tell everyone else I knew not to as well.
its a person's job people!!
if you walked out of your job at a hospital,law firm,college or mini mart and had people crowding you for an autograph after al ong day I think you'd be pissed too.
|
mastachen
|
I disagree.
They chose to be actors, and they should expect that they would have to deal with fans on a daily basis, especially if they're working on Broadway because they're in such close proximity to the crowds.
I would be pissed if people crowded around me asking me for an autograph, and that's why I want to become a doctor. But I do realize that if I were to work at a hospital, I might be called in to work at 3am even after I work a normal 18 hour shift. What am I going to do, call the patient selfish and ask him to wait? Every job has it's ups and downs. I'm sorry that some actors see "dealing with fans" as a down, but it's still something they have to deal with.
|
Salome
|
one more time....
PEOPE DONT BECOME ACTORS IN ORDER TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS!!!!
THEY BECOME ACTORS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A PASSION FOR BRINGING WRITERS WORDS TO LIFE,TO ENTERRTAIN,TO MAKE PEOPLE CRY,LAUGH,FEEL!
THEY HAVE LIVES AFTER THE CURTAIN FALLS!!!!!!
|
mastachen
|
Dawn, I know people don't become an actor to sign autographs. I'm just saying that meeting with fans is part of the job.
I'm not becoming a doctor because I enjoy being woken up at 3am. I'm a doctor because I want to help people and be rich
|
Salome
|
Its NOT part of the job.
the job of an actor is to rehearse a role , work characterization, perform 8 times a week, possibly if its in their contract do interviews for the production.
its not the job of an actor to be hassled for a signature at the door to their place of employment. If they want to do that, thats fine..if thewy dont then do not think that they are wrong for not doing it.
getting to talk to an actor after as show is a nice thing but NEVER say its required ofthat actor. thats just being demanding and rude.
|
blackbird_fly
|
| Salome wrote: | Its NOT part of the job.
the job of an actor is to rehearse a role , work characterization, perform 8 times a week, possibly if its in their contract do interviews for the production.
its not the job of an actor to be hassled for a signature at the door to their place of employment. If they want to do that, thats fine..if thewy dont then do not think that they are wrong for not doing it.
getting to talk to an actor after as show is a nice thing but NEVER say its required ofthat actor. thats just being demanding and rude. |
Obviously interacting with fans is not part of the job, but it's definetely a byproduct. Once you're famous, you should accept that there may be people wanting to meet you and get your autograph or take a picture. If you don't feel comfortable doing that, you shouldn't have to. But don't be rude to the fans, or else you won't have any.
|
Salome
|
i wasnt saying they should be rude. thats a totally different subjext,
when richard burton was doing Private Lives on broadway in the 1980s he was very ill and often he rufused autographs by saying.. sorry..thank you but no.
now wouldnt you feel bad if you knew he was that ill and you bitched about him not signing?
|
DontDoSadnessxx
|
Now I would understand if a group of creepy old men were asking for your autograph but what about a kid?
The other day at anything goes, this little girl (must have been about 5) asked for my autograph and I was so happy to put a smile on her precious face.
That's just plain courtesy isn't it?
And like others said... if they don't have time to sign, then they should say something to the fans.
=]
|
benjivaudeville
|
| DontDoSadnessxx wrote: | Now I would understand if a group of creepy old men were asking for your autograph but what about a kid?
The other day at anything goes, this little girl (must have been about 5) asked for my autograph and I was so happy to put a smile on her precious face.
That's just plain courtesy isn't it?
And like others said... if they don't have time to sign, then they should say something to the fans.
=] |
While I understand the difference, I still think if you're happy to sign for a kid, you oughta be happy to sign for a 'creepy' old man.
|
Amber
|
...Personally, I really appreciate when actors come out the stage door. But I'm not offended if they don't. Consider it. They do one or two shows a day, may have been in rehearsal EARLIER that day, and probably have an early day the next morning. Many actors do have places to go, plans to fulfill, kids to say goodnight to, and families to go home to. Dealing with autograph books, more often than not shoved in their faces (as I've seen many, many times), must be exhausting...
Maybe it would be different if people were more courteous to the actors they so "admire". Too often, I've seen actors get flipping CHASED and hounded so that they can get a simple autograph, which turns into a five-minute conversation, which turns into the "Oh, can you call my friend and record my voicemail?" Performing artists who just gave their heart and soul are turned into circus attractions. So, I really don't blame them, or think they should be chastised for not coming out. Nor should it be in their job descriptions.
I'm not accusing anyone here of being rude, rabid stage-dooring folk. It's just that some people are SO disrespectful, and I think that's half the reason that certain actors don't come out, or go through a different exit.
End of rant.
|
Mistress
|
| mastachen wrote: | ^I'm sorry, but to me that sounds rather selfish. It seems like you're saying that whenever you go to meet your favorite stars, they should be nice and kind, but they shouldn't be that way to other people or else you wouldn't feel as special.
I don't know.. that's kinda what I got from you |
I didn't mean it like that. I meant it universally. Every person should feel special if their favourite actor stopped to talk to them and other people around them when they asked and gave them an autograph. That feeling gets lost if actors are forced into it. If actors don't want to do autographs or talk to people, than they should say so politley so as they don't come off rude. If they are being rude about it, it's something else, but if they're being polite about it, leave them be, like Salome said. They don't have to do it if they don't want to, and many of them have good reasons, like in Salome's Richard Burton story.
|
musicaltheatrefan
|
I was mad that I never got Christian Borle, Orfeh, Andy Karl, or Laura Bell Bundy at Legally Blonde and Ashley Brown at Mary Poppins, but as a performer who has played roles where there was a demand for autographs, it is very tiring to do a show, and then sign 20+ autographs and take pictures when you want to go home. It's fun to get autographs at the stage door, but I respect a big star's right not to sign at the stage door.
|
mercurialasaka
|
I don't think it should be mandatory. Look, these people are being paid to play a role onstage, if they are kind enough to want to take autographs and pictures that's just a plus. It's a common courtesy but it shouldn't be required. Plus, some people are just not the most social creatures in the world and don't like people surrounding them for autographs. I was in a production of High School Musical that went up shortly after the rights were released and was one of the first BIG non high/middle school ones in my area and there were a lot of kids demanding autographs. And ok, I'll admit it, I'm a pretty socially awkward person and when it comes to stuff like that I suck, especially when it has to do with younger kids. I signed a few and tried to be nice but I know I seemed pretty uncomfortable. It's not a 'diva' thing (especially since I wasn't gabriella or sharpey) , just an 'oh my god too many people, can't sign that fast, what do I say' kind of thing. And probably its the same for a lot of the people on broadway especially being tired after doing a show. There are people who are social and others who aren't as social, that's life. Just because you're an actor doesn't automatically mean you're a social butterfly.
However, that does NOT excuse diva behavior like Lea Michele's with the backstage antics, rolling her eyes, and pushing her way through people at an awards show. If it's something you're not comfortable with, then just say 'sorry guys, I can't today. Thanks for liking me though'. No need to act like an ass. I wish someone would just slap that girl with a dose of reality. She isn't Patti Lupone yet.
And seriously, I might panic too if some rabid 14 year old fan-type person asked me to record their voicemail. Do people actually do that?!
|
Kiwi
|
| DontDoSadnessxx wrote: |
The other day at anything goes, this little girl (must have been about 5) asked for my autograph and I was so happy to put a smile on her precious face.
|
That reminds me of when I was in Once on this Island, and after our last show a few of us went to this restaurant a few blocks away and these two little girls who had just come from seeing our show recognized us and came up to us for autographs. It was so adorable, and we were all so touched by it.
More to the point, I don't think actors should have to give autographs if they don't want to. Would you, after a day at work when you're leaving late to finally go home want to be forced to stay and sign your names and make the same small talk with a bunch of strangers for an extra hour? If they feel like doing it, then by all means, but they shouldn't have to.
|
Jessiicaa
|
I agree with what pretty much everyone else is saying.
I don't think actors should be required to do it. I was on a a trip to NY a few weeks ago and ended up seeing SA twice and the first night Lea Michele didn't come out and the next night she did, but I would have preferred if she hadn't come out at all. If you don't want to sign autographs that's prefectly fine, don't sign autographs. But don't come out and be rude to your fans. It just really bothered me because if she didn't want to sign autographs I think everyone there would have been totally understanding with just an "I'm sorry, I just can't sign anything tonight". I just think that if you don't want to sign anything, greet the fans and whatnot, THEN DON'T! Don't huff and puff and do it badly.
|
lilmissbroadway
|
I think if they go out the main stagedoor, they should be prepared to something
|
Salome
|
which means they should be prepared to say "thnak you but i dont have time"
|
lilmissbroadway
|
exactly.
|
LittleGavroche
|
I'll attest to the earlier point that Lea Salonga ia lovely at the stage door.
But I think perhaps the problem to be solved here is fan courtesy at the stage door. I know when I stage doored at Inherit the Wind, I was first up at the barricades, and first to get pushed out of the way by a group of older women. Oh, but Brian Dennehy saw and reached straight for my playbill first.  So yes, I think if fans were more courteous in waiting for their turn, realizing the star doesn't have all the time in the world to speak to them, and not getting a playbill signed for every person they know, perhaps more stars would come out the stage door.
|
