Stage Door 'Etiquette'

I doubt it'll spell the end of it because for some theatres it must be by far the easiest way out for the cast.   Plus there is a certain publicity element to it as well, some people must like getting a reputation as being good at signing autographs at the stage door as it helps their reputation with fans.  That said though, far too many people seem to think they're entitled to meet the stars and don't seem to appreciate that their job ends when they walk off stage.

At the Wyndham's they have signs up stating that Audra McDonald won't be signing after matinees. I expect we might start seeing more signs like that going up.  More barriers too creating formal lines like they do in New York, though they've been around for years at the Apollo Victoria anyway.

You'll never be able to completely legislate for people being rude and acting entitled though, unfortunately.

When Don Juan in Soho was recently at the Wyndham, there was a notice by the stage door advising that the cast would only be signing show related merchandise, or, in other words, David Tennant would NOT be signing anything related to Doctor Who.

When, unusually for me, I asked Lucie Jones for her autograph after Rent, she was an absolute sweetheart, even taking it upon herself to procure an alternative pen when my own proved rather inadequate.

Be nice to people on your way up, and all that.

I don't think the issue with Hamilton's stage door was so much overzealous teens as it was autograph sellers and people that hadn't seen the show. The first time I went (August 2015) the stage door was super relaxed and almost the entire cast came out, with Lin spending more time than anyone. The second time (June 2016) by the time I left the theatre the stage door was already 5 rows deep full of people that hadn't seen it and anyone that had couldn't get a look in. By that time the cast had pretty much stopped coming out altogether anyway.

I haven't experienced Dear Evan Hansen's stage door personally, as I'm not particularly interested in the cast but from what I hear it's turned into an absolute mess. That doesn't surprise me as that show is pretty much solely aimed at a young fanbase.

I did do the Anastasia stage door a few weeks ago and it was fine, very calm and friendly. However, I saw a video a few days ago of a teenage girl meeting Derek Klena and telling him that he was a 'beautiful wax man' because apparently there's some kind of inside joke in the Broadway fanbase of him looking like a wax figure. He just laughed uncomfortably. I know this girl was young, but I can't quite figure out how she thought it would be in any way appropriate to say that to his face.

I think one thing to focus on would be trying to find a way to ensure only people that had seen the show that night were waiting at the stage door. This would stop crowds from getting ridiculous at least. I don't know how they'd do it however as a lot of the Broadway theatres give Playbills out for free at the box office if you ask.

In terms of what is said/done to the actors, that would have to be dealt by on a case by case basis. At this point, I would rather someone like Ben Platt stop coming out altogether because it seems like he just gets hounded and I can't imagine he finds it enjoyable.

I don't think it will ever stop though. It's really only a few stage doors that get difficult to deal with, most of them are fine.

Talking of Dr Whos Matt Smith was polite but firm with the autograph hunters at the Royal Court just saying 'Not tonight lads' and turning away from them to sign things for the others. A lot of Who merchandise on show, but mostly seemed from genuine fans.

Broadway has always been one step ahead in the stage door 'culture' so it's not surprising the shows aimed at younger types are also getting insane. Did anyone see the pictures from Kinky Boots the day Brendan whatshisname took over? crazy.

I stage-doored the tour of Annie because my mother was particularly keen to do so, and they had some fairly decent crowd organisation. No barriers or anything, but Craig Revel Horwood fans were instructed to decide whether they wanted a photo or an autograph and go to the appropriate side of the space, which not only sorted most of the crowd, but left the middle reasonably clear for other cast members to leave/be approached as appropriate. Alas many stage doors wouldn't have the space for that, but organisation really is a good thing when it happens. I'll never forget trying to leave the Piccadilly theatre having just seen Guys And Dolls with Patrick Swayze, only to find the entire road blocked by people trying to swarm in the direction of the stage door. Not even the Hamilton crowds I've seen could hope to complete with *that* chaos.

I'm interested to reading the comments on this topic. I end up at stage doors after shows all the time. Although I have only been going to theatre for only a few years. I used do the equivalent going to see bands (bands I mean metal bands).

I've not done a lot of this sort of thing but it struck me at Wyndham's after No Man's Lans how well organised the whole thing was, barriers, clear written and verbal instructions about what would and wouldn't be signed and about the taking of photos. Even though there were a lot of people there, it did seem everyone went along with the spirit of the thing which made for a pretty good experience.

Similarly, I also found after Nice Fish, the ones who seemed to be dealers or general collectors and seemed less likely to have been to see the play, did hang back tomlet those of us who had been get things signed first. Whether that was experience of jostling getting them nowhere I don't know but it did strike me as a decent way to behave.

I agree, skullion - the stage door queue after "No Man's Land" show was just perfect. I don't usually take autographs/selfies (I prefer a brief chat about the play et cetera if, of course, the actor doesn't mind - but usually they're quite happy to do that, which is nice) but I simply HAD TO on that occasion. I'm not sure if a very nice guy who helped me get my autographs by giving me his place in the queue reads this forum but if you are here - thank you. It's still nice to know you got your poster signed as well!
That said, the stage door mayhem after "Don Juan in Soho" was beyond my imagination. On a side note, though - after the show I saw some girls at the stage door who were crying hysterically... I confess, I found their behaviour rather appalling but minutes later I got to know they had flown all the way from Argentina hoping to meet their idol and he left very quickly. Of course, it happens. You can't expect that an actor will always have time and energy to meet the audience after the show. But - I really felt sorry for these young girls, choking with tears of disappointment.

(PS, apologies for the slight off-topic, but the gentleman who manages the stage door at the Wyndham's is very handsome and charming.)

The airport thing also has culturally specific elements-in Japan and Korea particularly it's an expression of fandom/love for an actor/band and is pretty much expected. (A friend of mine has done a bit of research on it so I have a fairly nerdy knowledge of it!)