i went to the stage door at dear evan hansen, and it honestly made me sick the way people were talking. "oh we paid all this money to come see the performance, the least he could do is make an appearance out here" excuse me? ben doesn't owe you anything. he just spent the last two and a half hours vomiting his heart and soul up on that stage, and he's fucking exhausted. he doesn't owe you an appearance, you should just be fucking grateful you were able to see him give that life changing performance. learn some selflessness honestly. when ben didn't come out both times i went to that stage door, of course i was sad i couldnt thank him for the incredible show, but i respected his feelings about it and i completely understood why he doesn't do it
Katherine Steele thank you!!! honestly it's so sad how selfish people are and just want his autograph or picture to say they've done it. it should be about appreciating the time he took to give that performance and being grateful you're there to see it
Holly Cziraki Because her daughters went to see it two or three times (I can’t remember) and each time they went ben didn’t go to the stage door. Regardless she is trash in my opinion
Ok what you were talking about when you said some people don't get credit is so true and so sad. When I saw DEH, I saw it with Colton Ryan, and so many people didn't wanna see the show and even sold their tickets just because ben wasn't in it! It's so sad. And when he came out the stagedoor, we all cheered. After he was done signing we cheered one more time, but he looked at the stage door because he didn't think we'd be cheering for him again and he thought someone else came out. Understudies are so skilled and I just love them so much
JustSalty Jordan I'm seeing deh in september, I'd be just as happy to see it with ben, colton, or any other understudy because understudies are freaking amazing and its so cool seeing a performance that most people don't get to see
Yea it's so nerve recking to just go on on such short notice. That takes so much skill. And in most shows understudies are ensemble and understudy for several roles... so it takes so much dedication. They are honestly the greatest.
'Cause all that it takes is a little consideration! Stage doors are great, but they're not an obligation. All you gotta do is just appreciate the show you went to see. Sincerely, me! :)
Lorenzo F Boo, we on the sameeeee page! Theatre Thursday Fam should totally like track this person down, cause garbage like this is why we have environmental issues 😂😂😂
It drives me nucking futz when people act like stage dooring is part of the actors jobs!! So, I got to see Dear Evan Hansen a few days before the Tonys this year. I don't live near NY so it was a big deal - the ticket was my Christmas present and this would only be my second Broadway show (I saw wicked 5 years ago.) I was SO EXCITED. When I got there, I learned Ben was sick and Colton Ryan was going on. To be honest, I was crushed to miss out on Ben. HOWEVER, I tried to keep an open mind, I'd heard Colton was great and although I'd miss ben, I knew the show was going to be great. The behavior of the people around me though, was horrendous and these were obviously people who got to see shows a considerable amount of time. It was so disheartening to see people throwing fits and returning their tickets. Obviously, Colton was beyond incredible and he did come out to stage door! I made sure to tell him I was so excited and happy to get to see his version of Evan and he seemed so touched and genuinely grateful; I was glad I got to tell him that. There's my long story lol but my point is, if I, someone who never gets to see Broadway shows, can enjoy it without the "star" and still be respectful, I think privileged theatergoers who DO get to see the originals on stage should be able to deal with the fact that they don't or can't always give an extra unpaid hour surrounded by 300 germy people to them.😡🙄😶
I saw the show November 24. When I first got tickets, I wasn't sure if Ben was still gonna be there bc I didn't know if his contract would end one year since previews or one year since opening. I will admit, I was bummed I missed him by 5 days. But I was still thankful enough to see the show. Noah Galvin was incredible! And from a brighter side, I thought it was really cool that I got to see him in his first week (it was his fifth performance total)! And I was also very thankful I still got to see the rest of the OBC! Proof that THE SHOW IS STILL INCREDIBLE EVEN WITHOUT BEN!
I’m going to see the show next year and I am literally so pumped no matter who is playing evan. Yeah, it would have been great if I had seen it with Ben but honestly just seeing the show in general will be an awesome experience!
I completely agree with your comment because like she said it's not their job to come to the stage door. I'm not a regular theatregoer I have never been lucky enough to see a broadway show. But even if I was I wouldn't act like that ever because there are millions of reasons why someone can't or don't want to come to the stage door.
Whenever a show gets mainstream attention, there are people who arent part of the "theatre community" that dont know or understand that these are real people. they have real lives to get to, they just worked their butt off to give you the experience you just had. unlike the actors that they know who only have to film a movie once and then its out there for people to enjoy, broadway actors have to recreate the same magic in stage 8 times (or more) a week. Not excusing their actions completely, just some thoughts i had.
August tbh the newfound popularity is really getting on my nerves as of late. It's annoying to me, as a theatre nerd prior to Hamilton, but now people need to stop living in the world where Hamilton, DEH, Heathers, Be More Chill, and 21 Chump Street are the only musicals.
Don't get mad at people who only know those shows though. Most of them (myself included) were probably introduced to the love of theater by mainstream shows, and are still discovering other lesser known plays.
August Also I totally feel you guys when you say you’re bugged by this situation. I remember that I met this girl during an event that my school was doing and her and her friends were singing some Hamilton. So I join in with them and after our sing along I asked her if she liked any other musicals. I name some kind of obscure ones but she doesn’t know them which I completely understand, so then I asked if she’s ever listened to DEH or BMC. She told me she never even listened to them because she just assumed that all other musicals were trash compared to Hamilton and that nothing will be better than Hamilton. Idk if she was joking but it was still a pretty harsh thing to say and it did make me a little mad. Is Hamilton great? Yes but you gotta broaden your horizons and listen to something else you can’t just listen to Hamilton and say that you know what ALL musicals are like because of it. TLDR: Close minded girl said Hamilton was the only good musical out there and I disagree
The sad thing is that the stage door used to literally just be a door where the actors and crew would come and leave a performance from. Now it's a giant maze for larger performances and the actors have to find another way out of the building if they can't do stage door that day.
I stage doored at Dear Evan Hansen last week and the cast was so incredibly nice! I'm glad that people reacted the way they did when Ben didn't come out- they were very supportive of him! Also, Michael Park took the time to talk to everyone which was so kind of him! I gave him a drawing and told him I didn't think it was good, when he told me to believe in myself! Sorry that this was so long, I just felt like sharing.
I actually got to talk to Michael Park too! When i went, the layout of the playbill where their faces and names were, so he had to sign over Garret’s face, so I said “true cast member love” and made him laugh
+olivia stone Ooh, yes!! Good point!! Like, I'm SO happy that shows are getting mainstream popularity because it means more people discovering how awesome Broadway is, more fans often = more funding for the arts, etc. BUT with mainstream popularity, I think we get a lot of people who don't really understand the dynamics that go into a Broadway/National Tour/ etc.
Katherine Steele honestly, I love the fact that theatre is becoming more mainstream, but all of the new popularity is beginning to become annoying. *So* many people don't understand simple theatrical terms and etiquette, and I feel like people need to realize that there's more musicals out there than Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Heathers, and Be More Chill.
+Gwen N Don't be so elitist. Everybody has to start somewhere. Unless you were raised on theatre, no one knows all of the theatrical terms and etiquette at first. Guess what? It's not simple to people who don't know it yet. With that being said, if someone is truly interested in theatre, they should take the time to become educated about theatre. They should also explore all of the different musicals that are out there. I agree with you that Hamilton, etc. aren't the only musicals that exist. However, whether or not people choose to expand their interest in other musicals is their choice.
I went to see Dear Evan Hansen in May for my birthday, just a few weeks before the Tony Awards. Of course it was amazing. When I went to the stage door, I was lucky to get most of the cast's signatures. However, Ben Platt, Mike Faist, and Jared Kleinman (I know his name is Will Roland but he'll always be my Jared Kleinman) didn't come out. I was a little disappointed, but honestly the show was so good that I was grateful to even get to see them perform. But I could tell that even the people that did come out were exhausted, and rightfully so. Actors put so much energy into their performance so that we can enjoy the show and have a good time. Don't call a Tony-winning actor "garbage" just because you, as an audience member, have no idea how draining and tiring performing on Broadway 8 shows a week is (I'm always exhausted after my shows, but I can't imagine what it must be like for the pros). Like some people can't even afford to see Ben Platt perform in person, and you're complaining about getting a signature?!?! That's ungrateful considering how difficult this heavy show must be. K rant over I need to grab a scoop at A La Mode
I saw a matinee of DEH with Noah Galvin and he was the only one who came out the stage door. I was bummed I didn't get to meet the rest of the OBC (especially WIll Roland, he nearly made me fall out of my seat!), but I was happy enough that I still got to see them, to see any OBC at all, especially since I missed Ben Platt by 5 days. They had another show to do at night! On the other hand, I thought it was really cool that I got to see Noah in his first week (it was his fifth performance total)! He was honestly incredible as Evan.
I’m sorry im reallyyyyyyyy late on this, but Mike and Will never come out at stage door. Mike doesn’t go because he’s tired, and doesn’t want to disappoint people with what they get instead of what they wanted (From MTV Interview he had), Will doesn’t beacause he might take what someone says the wrong way and hurt someone’s feelings or his own (I forgot where I heard it but it might be on one of his Sincerely Me vlogs)
When I do a show for everyday for 1 week and nothing more I am DEAD by the end. Can’t imagine how tired others are. Sucks that people who don’t understand that are so entitled
So disappointing to just now see a tweet from Brendan Urie about being harassed at stage door, totally not okay!!! He is there to perform, its NOT a meet and greet. Because of the people who cannot control themselves, he is no longer meeting them at stage door because it's too stressful which is completely reasonable!! People @ stage door need to chill
you mentioned something about how people should clap for everyone whether they’re a swing or technician etc and it reminded me of when i got the honor to see anastasia on broadway this year and was able to stagedoor. i was with my chorus class because it was part of an annual school trip so there were a lot of us there alongside regular theatregoers. i’m ashamed to say people in my chorus class called and yelled and shook the gates for derek klena to come out, changing his character’s name rather than his. whenever someone who wasn’t derek came out, they all audibly sighed. you can imagine how that makes the people who aren’t derek feel. i love him too and he’s gorgeous but other people deserve recognition too and it’s so so disrespectful to the other people who put on this wonderful show to be sighed at just because they aren’t the amazingly talented derek klena.
sage wow, i'm very surprised! (also not). but i also stage doored at anastasia his summer, and everyone these cheered for the ensemble members, and it took them by surprise (very sad they don't expect to be cheered for) they didn't even know we wanted them to sign our playbills. but i haven't heard of a bad anastasia stage door experience until now, thanks for sharing!
oh my word, I'm so sorry... I saw Anastasia Thanksgiving week, and everyone cheered everyone equally, including Derek Klena. He was so chill! But I'm so sorry you had to experience that :(((
Ok here’s MY story... So uh ok I saw DEH recently and Michael Lee Brown was Evan Hansen and GIRL... i was crushed. I complained to everyone who knows DEH about MLB and literally was the meanest person about him. And GIRL... i feel like the most selfish person in the world. I wanted Ben Platt to go in instead SO badly, but you know what?????? I MET MICHAEL! AND HE WAS HONESTLY AMAZING and i don’t regret seeing him instead of Ben! In fact, now I’m glad i didn’t see Ben (not that i don’t love him BC I DO) but Michael is the nicest person ever, and I regretted everything I said about Michael. And yes, ALL MY FRIENDS BASHED ME ABOUT IT but yeah, who cares? I saw Michael Lee Brown, he was honestly so unbelievable and nice and yeah. DO NOT BE UPSET LIKE I WAS
I hate how people get angry when performers don't come out the stage door, the performers just put on a 2 hour plus show they are probably super exhausted and just want to get back to their apartment and chill, or they don't have the energy to go sign a bunch of autographs
CassieIsTrash Honestly same. The only stage door I went to was for Great Comet and when I saw everyone I flipped out. Like yeah just casually getting my picture taken with Lucas Steele.
Blank Black Tips:If you can't actually see a show check the show time and wait outside the stage door when it's over. Then you don't have to pay the money to see the show but you can meet the stars! Lol.
I love how we're all just act like moms and are like 'HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT OUR BABY BEN LIKE THAT!! HAVE SOME CLASS.' is this a new theater kid problem?
Like I said before, two weeks ago I went to New York and saw a broadway show for the very first time (waitress, awesome! can't get enough of the soundtrack!). I was so impressed at the stagedoor afterwards! They were super fast and all so friendly! Even little Cate came out to sign! The actors took their time. Unfortunately a few castmembers couldn't make it, but I was fine with that. In Belgium they don't do stagedooring after a show and when you see an actor afterwards they are mostly stuck up. I am so in love with Broadway and can't believe people can be angry about such thing. (okay, if you came a long way to see this one person you really want to see, I understand you want a pic or an autograph, but you at least saw them on stage). I also wrote a blog about my experience if anyone is interested. Anyway, I'll never forget this, it was so amazing and I absolutely LOVED it!
Yes! Here in belgium musicals are so underrated, it's so hard to find people who share your interests and passions. Also i saw 40-45 a few weeks ago and it was really good but they didn't even come out and it was just people everywhere. I'm going to london in march to go and watch hamilton (it will be my first west-end show ever) and later in march to cats and iam so excited to finally stage door for the first time!
This is beautifully well said. My worst pet peeve is now when the main actors don't come out and people start writing these ridiculous messages on Twitter. It happened to Cynthia, Ben, Idina Menzel (recently after a show in Atlanta on her current world tour), and Brendon Urie (after Kinky Boots). Most people do not understand how exhausted they are and actors have other commitments too. THEY ARE PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND ME!!! For me what I do is for example, I went to see the revival of SUNSET BOULEVARD 2 months ago with Glenn Close, none of the Principal actors came out after the matinee. I still stayed and got 3 Ensemble members to sign my Playbill and they were so nice. For Glenn, Michael, Siobhan, and Fred, I tweeted them saying thank you for an amazing performance and I missed you at stage door. Plus say what I initially what I wanted to say. Usually when I go to stage door, I like to ask for audition advice. After that performers performance blew me away, I want to know what it takes to get cast in a Broadway show and I can be better at my very own craft. It's a networking moment for an actor. What's also really cool is that I'm friends with Christy Altomare (star of ANASTASIA) and what she does the moments she knows that she can't come out, she tweets SORRY I COULDN'T STAGE DOOR BECAUSE (REASON). THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING AND LOVE YOU ALL!! Ramin did the same thing during the revival of LES MIZ. For me when I make it on Broadway, I will always do my best to come out the stage door, sign, and take photos with people. Depending how I am feeling. If I can't, I'll always put a message on Social Media to save myself from being called an A**HOLE or GARBAGE (Poor Ben). First things first, CAST ME IN A BROADWAY SHOW YOU CASTING DIRECTORS!!!
[hides from scary DEH fans] I think this shouldn't even be a problem. What if we assume that people are people and not gods. I'm gonna pray to lord shipooba god now While I'm rambling, What's the coolest thing you've ever gotten from a cast member? As someone who's been ensemble and gotten to sign a program, it's a great feeling.
I went to see Dear Evan Hansen. I waited with a large group of people after the show, we didn't see Ben. I was totally ok with that. IF WE WERE MEANT TO BE A COUPLE, OBVIOUSLY THAT WASNT THE WAY IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. But I really don't blame him, I know my social anxiety would flare up if a crowd of people tried to meet me several times a week
Okay this is really off topic but I'm gonna talk about this good stage door experience cause positivity! So I do this educational show choir theatre group and we have this amazing director and so me and a ton of my friends went to go see her when she did South Pacific! She was Ensign Nellie Forbush. So all the kids got roses and gave them to her until she had a bouquet. She was so happy! That's how you should stage door. Also go see a community theater show. I'm done now
Thank you so much for asking people to give credit to the instrumental musicians! As a clarinet/saxophone player, leaving through the stage door after the musical my high school produced a few weeks ago was quite awkward, as almost nobody in the crowd knew what to do. There was almost nobody that clapped, and everyone sort of got quiet and stared at me and the other members of the musical pit as we walked through the crowd. It was so awkward, so thank you so much for appreciating the musical pit! :D
I had no idea technicians could stage door, I thought it was just an actor thing. As a technician myself this is super cool and I want to meet all the super cool stage managers out there who stage door!
I have not watched this video yet but before i forget i just want to say that I went to NYC a few weeks ago and was casually passing by the Musical Box Theatre and I was like, oh cool! Dear Evan Hansen is right there! and it just so happened to be the exact time for stage door so I decided to just take a look and see if Ben was there since I have been following him for a looong time (i'm not much of a DEH fan YET so Ben is really the only actor I know/really like from there (IM SORRYYYY)) and i heard that a few people were complaining to the security guard saying that they deserved to see Ben and they were very rude to the guard when he said that Ben was not able to go out that day, they were basically throwing a tantrum in the middle of the street. I MEAN WHAT. Seeing the show does not instantly give you guaranteed pass to meet the actors! It's so RIDICULOUS how people don't take into account the amount of ENERGY these actors spend with just one show, imagine multiple times a week! Stage dooring exists so actors can meet some of the fans from time to time, but you're there for a Broadway musical, not for a meet and greet experience. GIVE. ACTORS. THEIR. SPACE. They're not and shouldn't be obligated to go out every single time they have a show. THEY'RE PEOPLE JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
When I saw Hamilton in Chicago there was this one family behind us and ugh!!! 1. They came to the theater in not theater attire. They all had on muddy jeans, cowboy boots, and t shirts. 2. They entered the theater during “Aaron burr sir” and when they came in the son started SINGING ALONG!! 3. They snuck candy in the theater and the whole time they were MAKING NOISES W I T H T H E W R A P P E R S 4. When they heard the actor playing Hamilton sing the dad shouted “This isn’t Lin! I want a refund!” And, at the end of the song, he stood up and bood when everyone else was clapping. 5. THEY GOT UP AND LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF ACT TWO!! 6. Later that night, when we stagedoored (I met Karen Olivo low key best day of my life), THEY WERE AT THE STAGE DOOR AND GOT EVERYONES SIGNATURE ON THE PLAYBILLS! But everyone got a comment. Here’s what they would say: To the main characters- “Still not as good as the original” To the ensemble members- “Were you even in the show I didn’t see you” We just couldn’t believe how they had the nerve to say that! PLEASE IF YOURE READING THIS, DONT BE LIKE THESE HORRIBLE PEOPLE! Edit: where was security during this H O L Y S M O K E S
I waited six hours for Brendon Urie to come out to the stage door when he was in Kinky Boots and his bodyguard Zack told everyone right before the cast came out "Don't push the barricade guys my priority is Brendon's safety and yours as well" luckily that night people weren't as crazy and I got to meet Brendon and got a picture with him it was so cool! But then a couple weeks later Brendon tweeted that he wasn't coming to the stage door anymore because people were literally screaming in his face and pushing people into the barricade and it sickened me. I just wish people would realize that performers/musicians/celebrities are just people and that you have to respect them.
I have to do 'stage door' for my theater except we stand out in the lobby and meet everyone and for the first time ever I did it for my camp and oh my lord I love it. I love the little kids who get so excited to see the characters and hug you and squeeze you and GAH! I just love it!
I sent Carrie Hope Fletcher the link to this video because she totally jives with you on this topic. Sending lots of love to you and the rest of my theatre Thursday fam!
Another reason to have your own Sharpie: sometimes you'll see an actor exiting not via the stage door and they will be willing to sign your Playbill! Often, actors who aren't main characters won't bother will the stage door but are totally willing to sign a Playbill quickly. I will typically just say "Congrats, you were great in the show!" and if the actor stops to chat, I'll take that as my time to ask for an autograph (don't just chase them down). This happened with Jon Rua when I saw the original cast of Hamilton and he was super happy to chat for a few minutes and sign me and my sister's Playbills because we were fans! xx
that's so cool! I saw him in Spongebob and was bummed he didn't come out, but my mom said she saw some other actors leave out another door, he was probably there! XD
I've just discovered your channel and as a theatre kid (now theatre adult :P) from London I've found a new channel to binge-watch! I love all your video, your personality and humour are infectious and I can't wait to see what future content you come out with on this channel! Also, going off what you said in this video about people who walk out of shows during the applause at the end, one of my biggest pet peeves is when audience members continue their full-volume conversations during the overture and/or entr'acte - it's like THE LIGHTS ARE DOWN AND THE ORCHESTRA IS WORKING THEIR BUTTS OFF TO PERFORM BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, THEREFORE THE SHOW HAS ALREADY STARTED SO PLEASE STOP YOUR CONVERSATIONS! I'm not sure if it's just me, but this always seems to happen whenever I go to see a musical and I think it's so disrespectful! x
I completely agree it is a privilege to see actors after a show. When I saw War Paint last month I was not expecting to see anyone at the stage door, but I waited anyway. I actually got to meet Patti and Christine and they signed my playbill!! While waiting in line I met some of the nicest people who are actually in the business too!! It's always good be humble and grateful! Thank you Katherine for teaching theatre fans proper ways of thought and etiquette. A channel like yours is greatly needed and appreciated!
i know i'm late to this but i wanted to come back and watch this again and comment after stage dooring at dear evan hansen! when i saw it michael lee brown played evan and ben levi ross played jared. they were the only two who came out and they were both INCREDIBLE!!! i'm not an actor but my friend who came with me is and he told them both that they really inspired him and made him want to do this forever and they were both so touched!! they really appreciated every compliment and piece of kindness so it really is worth it to be kind to everyone that comes out!!
I HOPE YOU DO! He nearly made me fall out of my seat when he saw it. Sadly, though, he didn't come out (it was a matinee though so they still had another show)
I will fight her Ben has every right to NOT go to the stage door this happens to alot of people and they don't complain. She and her daughters should be greatfull that even got to see the show.
I just stage doored Kinky Boots the other day (the show was absolutely incredible and fantastic!) and the crowd around me at the stage door was insane. Most people were respectful to all of the actors but one group of girls started singing a Panic! song while the actors other than Brendon Urie were still out signing our playbills. Once Brendon came out people were literally trying to climb over me to make sure their playbill was signed. One kid next to me legitimately threw a gift they had for Brendon at him. Threw it.
WHy anyone wants to leave during Curtain Call (aka Applause) is beyond me, i love applauding all the people from ensemble members to the main cast etc etc. It's my favourite part of the show because it's the part of the show where you can be as loud and as crazy about your favourite people and the people you enjoyed watching on stage as you want because the performance is offically over and you don't have to think about bothering someone else near you because they are clapping just as hard and cheering just as loud as you are :) Now about Stage Door. Stage Door is a great place to meet fellow lovers of a show and the actors that create the art that you love but it's also a place that terrifies and worries me deeply, I have been to Stage Doors that have been extremely pleasant and wonderful where everyone is polite and loving and patient, but I have also been to a Stage Door (recently actually) where I had a mini panic attack because some people were yelling and cursing at the actors who came out and I felt very scared for not only the actors well beings but also the other people at the stage door too, I appreciate everything a stage actor puts into their performance so they can give the same quality performance each night what I don't appreciate is people being cruel to those actors who didn't come out because of something that was out of their control or what was in their control. You paid for the show they were in, you didn't pay for stage door, it's a luxury, NOT a necessity, that's why I always go to twitter and thank the actors and company for a wonderful show, because sometimes I know they can't get round to everyone and I know I won't be able to stay and wait for them, that's why social media exists and believe me, when you tweet someone, they DO see every tweet, but they just don't have time to like and answer all the tweets and messages and that's completely fine, please don't hate them and instead APPRECIATE them for all they give us the fan. Thankyou for reading this far if you ared enough to do so :) x
WOW I gotta say I've been watching your vids all morning, and for someone who is going to college in the fall, you give the best advice for theatre and auditions and whatnot! It's super helpful and Im hyped to be a part of the theatre Thursday fam!
I was lucky enough to get tickets to Dear Evan Hansen while it was still original cast for my birthday present. Ben Platt didn't show up, and though I was a little sad because I love Ben, I wasn't going to through a tantrum about it. I was thrilled to see Rachel Bay Jones, Lauren Dreyfus and John Dosset in person, and I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.
Girl, PREACH. The ignorance of some people is astounding. You're paying for the performance, not a meet and greet. A performance that depends on the health of the performer...gah, thanks for wording this so well! Ben is such a kind person, too. Gosh.
Fun story: Way back in April, I had the fortunate experience to see wicked on Broadway. One of my best friends step grand mother happens to be Sheryl lee Ralph. She took me and my friend backstage to her dressing room and onstage before the show. We saw the show (it was amazing) and then we met her dresser and went back backstage and got to meet Kara Lindsay (who plays Glinda) and then we went back onstage and met Jenny Dinoia (elphaba). She took us out the stage door and there were so many people we kind of felt like stars (lol) we got to hand out posters and stuff. I then was driven home and ate crepes in New York City with a tony nominated actress and my best Friend. (Fun fact: Sheryl also got us backstage at a todrick hall concert that we both happend to be at and we got to meet him)
Thank you so much for talking about this. The other day, I was just telling my friend that going to the stage door and possibly meeting the actors is a privilege, a blessing, not a right! I've also seen people walk out during applause and it honestly is so rude! Thank you so so much for addressing this. I feel like more people should learn and realize this.
Ben literally is the sweetest being on this planet (apart from you and my family and friends OBVIOUSLYYY) He has the most powerful voice with the most powerful notes, he even looked exhausted in song 2! 2! He is actually extremely nice I met him after a show and he was so sweet!! I know if he could come out he would. 💕
Honestly, people like this woman who tweet stuff like this makes me sick, ben platt works so hard and is such a wonderful human being and there is no way he could go to the stage door every night, i was lucky enough to go see DEH on broadway and you can really tell how much work he puts into each show, he deserves to go home and rest after a show, and when he does meet fans he is so incredibly kind, in conclusion Ben Platt is so incredible and does not deserve any tiny bit of hate.
Thank you so much for addressing this omg Ben deserves all the love because he works so hard for what he has and fans just need to deal with him doing what he needs to do to keep performing while staying happy 😃
I love this sooooo much!!! I agree with you 100%!! I always stagedoor the shows I see. I love to give my thanks to the people who work so hard.. and it's always so exciting when you ask an ensemble member to sign your playbill and they get surprised😂❤️
Even though Ben Platt is gone he still is a legend. He knew how to show social anxiety with out under or over doing it. Let’s see you do a beter job whoever called him garage It was probably a Hamilton supporter😂
Yeah I never can understand why people would do that especially to the people who work super hard to put together and to put on a broadway show. You're definitely right about all of that and about giving recognition to not only the broadway stars but also the ones who aren't on the stage. Bc it would make them feel good knowing that they did a good days work. Thank you for addressing this and also Ben Platt is amazing.
This actually really helped because I have never been to a theater before and I’m seeing Hamilton today so I would not at all know what stage dooring is so thank you for making this 😊
So about the applause thing... I'm really glad you mentioned it. at the beginning of spring break me, my mom, my friend, and her mom watched Cirque du Soleil's "Crystal." I just want to say that Cirque du Soleil audience members don't seem to understand that it's just as much of a performance as a musical theatre show. First of all, there's audience members talking during the show and bootlegging all the time. During intermission, my mom told me that we were gonna leave during the bows just so we could leave before traffic in the parking lot began. I tried to explain to her that doing so would be super disrespectful to everyone in the show and she just told me that it's not a big deal. When we walked out of the stadium during bows, I wasn't in a very good mood and my friend's mom had the audacity to say "they're literally just bowing, the show's over, there's nothing else to see." which made me extremely upset. So I'm glad my opinion on bows is universal in the theatre community.
Hey! Thanks for the tips, stagedooring is definitely something I'd like to try at some point. This is slightly unrelated, but I just wanted to say that I love your videos. You've been such an inspiration to me, and your positive, genuine attitude and professionalism are things I'd really want to incorporate into my own theatre work. Thanks!
When I saw Hamilton (my first Broadway show !!!!! and first time in New York City!!!!), I was lucky to find some amazing people to show me the stage door ropes and I met five really amazing actors and actresses! It was such a privilege to a) be able to see the show and b) meet a couple of the talented people that performed that afternoon. It breaks my heart to see and hear people being negative about stars not coming to the stage door ;( They put so much effort into an incredible piece of art and we should all respect them! Everything you said was so spot on here!! I admire you so!
As someone who definitely watched all that go down on Twitter, a quick perusal of that person's twitter feed, as well as her subsequent comments to Ben and to others who responded to her, tell you everything you need to know about that person. Huge dearth of class - my benefit of the doubt crumbled pretty fast.
Can you help me? I get anxiety when it comes to meeting people I look up to! I panic the whole time I'm in the same area and when they talk to me I have to try REALLY hard not to look like I'm panicking. I really want to start going to the stage door, but I'm scared I'll be to panicked. Do you have any advice for staying calm while meeting people you really look up to? Not to mention that the stage door is already really crowded!
Duck Puppet i know i'm not Katherine, but here's what helped me: talk to the other people next to you in line. most of them will also have the same problem, and you can often make good friends in the hour it takes to wait. talking to someone can help relieve the stress you have (it really helped me, we were eating dinner before i went to the DEH stage door and i couldn't eat a bite i was shaking so much). i would also just start out with a compliment as you hand them your Playbill, they will thank you and not feel irritated that you're "just one more person who's playbill i'm signing" i complimented Laura Dreyfuss on her performance, and once she said thank you and smiled, i moved on to tell her how much she inspired me to work towards my goals! hope this helps! let me know if you need any more help!
I also know i'm not katherine but sometimes it's ok to tell the person that you are meeting that you are so excited to meet them that you're a little nervous. A majority of them will understand (they've been there) and be flattered that you like them that much.
AWWWWW thank you all for the advice! Knowing that I at least know what I could do (talking to people, saying I'm nervous, ect, ) also helps me to feel better!
First of all, I cannot even imagine someone wanting to be so malicious as to hurt Ben Platt, who has been so amazing to fans of his, of DEH, of Broadway in general? It's insane. On another note you are absolutely amazing and deserve literally the entire world
I was lucky enough to meet and have a wonderful conversation with some of the swings in the Hamilton tour (in sf right now) when they came to my acting class. Honestly they were so nice and kind and gave the best advice ever. They honestly deserve so much more recognition! They are so nice and inspiring and damn talented!
Hi Katherine😊 you probably won't read this but when you did Into the Woods and played cinderella the theatre wasn't called Stageworks Theatre (or formally known as Houston Family Arts Center) ik this is super late but I just found your channel and you look a lot like the girl who played cinderella in the show. thanks if u read😊
I just really love your videos and I agree with everything you said in your video. You are such a kind and talented person and honestly, subscribing to your channel was probably one of the best desicions I've every made.
This is actually very useful!! I might go to new york soon and if we do, we'll try to get waitress tickets. I already saw the show and loved it! I didn't get to see Drew the first time since he was out so hopefully he'll be there. I want to experience stage door, but i'm really nervous, so hearing about other people's experience is helpful. Thank you for that!! Love your videos by the way; only discovered you a few weeks ago, and I'm already obsessed with your theater videos!! 🙆🏻💛
I have been lucky to have had wonderful stage door experiences every time I go to the theater. It amazes me how nice everyone is, both actors and audience members alike. It is a shame that the select few rude members ruin it for everyone else.
I’m an actor myself. I know I’M exhausted and need to take some time for myself after doing a show, and I simply can’t imagine doing Broadway! (though I want to someday!) If Ben doesn’t come out, that’s FINE. Be respectful. I cannot believe the audacity of people. You simply need to try to put yourself in other’s shoes. Plus, Ben has to make himself completely break down on stage so many times every week, it’s emotionally draining for him! Ben’s mental health and wellbeing is SO much more important than stagedooring. People these days, sheesh!
Yknow what, I respect Ben for responding so well. like he said, he needs rest after such a emotionally and physically draining performance. Also, it IS a privilege to see the cast members at the stage doors! Be happy you even got to meet the other WONDERFUL cast members! Some people just make me mad, especially if you try to bring down my idol for something so.... stupid.
When I saw DEH Ben platt didn't come out of the stage door.(He was prob on vocal rest I still love Ben platt). I did carry a small conversation with Michael park tho. If anyone reads this comment if u ever see DEH and go to the stage door and see Michael park, buy a cd and have him sign the cd thingy that has the lyrics. He rlly likes signing those.
on the topic of the instant camera: when i went to hamilton me and my family were struggling to take a selfie of all of us and this women came and asked if we wanted her to take a Polaroid of us. she did it and now it's one of my most favorite things I have! It's so nice to have a real photo you can hold in your hands and keep forever so I definitely recommend it!
What made me really sad is how Brendon Urie (Currently in Kinky Boots but best known as front man of a band called Panic! At The Disco) can no longer come to the stage door at all because of the way fans would crowd him. Brendon has anxiety and can't deal with big crowds like that. And even after people told the crowd to back up they still crowded him to the point where he had to leave. These performers are people to and you have to respect that. Broadway is one of the only places where you get to meet the performers after the show with out having to pay extra for meet and greet or VIP. Whether they come out or not, consider the performers physical and mental and emotional health and be respectful.
Thank you!! This was much needed, it makes me angry when people don't respect actors as people, and think because they paid to see the show, they can do whatever they want at the stage door 😑🙄
How can someone say that to Ben Platt he is wonderful! I have been in many plays and musicals and if you are not a big lead and just part of the ensemble a lot of people overlook them when they are very important to making a show amazing! I'm glad you brought that up.
A while ago, I recognized Morgan, a former ensemble member of Hamilton, when she was exiting the stagedoor. I yelled out, "Morgan!!" and she was so surprised someone knew her! It was awesome. We took pictures and everyone around us was so confused 😂
When you go to see any show you pay for three things: A ticket A preformance And a playbill A stage door is a free privilege that we get and the actors aren't required to do it. I'm thirteen and I've done a few professional shows *flips hair* and I remember I had done a show with some kid who was in Les Mis or Newsies or something. It was a very emotionally draining show, so, as much as I enjoyed stage dooring, I would only sign MAYBE 20 "playbills" a night some nights. I just remember that I and the Broadway kid (it might have been Anthony Rosethal, but I don't think so) had finished signing playbills for the night, and apparently we missed this kid and got screamed at by this mother. It was crazy. I don't think I ever felt worse, as ya know getting yelled at isn't fun. Anyway, that's my rant. Loved the video Kath! 💕
Uff when I watched DEH I was so thankful that I could talk to them for a few seconds and get an autograph or even a picture with them. I don’t get why ppl get mad. Ofc you are disappointed when they don’t show up, but I would never get mad, bc it probably has a reason. Also thank you for also mentioning the ppl that are not that famous, but still did an awesome job at a show. They all tried giving you the best night possible and they all deserve some attention. Btw if anyone is gonna call Ben Platt garbage again I’m gonna freak out
"How to not be a jerk to Tony Award winner Ben Platt" should have been the title of this video. He is such an angel; it's his job to recreate the exact same experience for hundreds of people every night. My friend was at the show on Tuesday and said that Ben had to leave in the middle of stagedooring so the security guards made everyone leave. I hope that people are respectful and realize that he does this to preserve the show. They wouldn't have gotten to see such an amazing show if it weren't for him going to such extreme lengths.
I saw Anastasia, Dear Evan Hansen (with Noah Galvin), and Spongebob all Thanksgiving week, and I stage doored all three of them. One helpful tip is if you see an actor you don't recognize, don't be afraid to ask them who they played! I learned that one of the actors who came out of Anastasia was the ballerina, and she was incredible! A bunch of ensemble members came out of the Spongebob stage door too, and I asked who they played, and they were so nice! One of them also happened to teach a hip hop class at Broadway Dance Center, and he told me to check it out! (sadly, though, I had to tell him I was not from NYC): Another huge tip - treat these actors like humans! I will admit, I freaked out and had a hard time keeping calm when I saw certain actors, especially Noah Galvin and Ethan Slater. Remember they're human too, and it's totally okay to have a casual conversation with them! Derek Klena, John Bolton, Danny Skinner, and Wesley Taylor were all super chill and super awesome at the stage door! Also, repeating again what Katherine said, these people do not have to come out! You paid to see a show, stage dooring is just an additional privilege. At Anastasia, Christy didn't come out, but she had the Macy's Parade the next morning, so she definitely had to get rest because they had to be there SUPER EARLY in the morning. For Dear Evan Hansen, Noah was the only one who came out, and I will admit I was bummed, especially since the rest of the OBC was still there, but this was a matinee and they have to be able to do the show again at night (Ethan Slater recently tweeted about this too, about how he can't stage door matinees bc he has to be able to do the evening show). But yeah, that's my spiel.
Ugh, I swear... fan entitlement is one of my ultimate biggest pet peeves, but especially, ESPECIALLY in a case like Ben in DEH... do people honestly not realize how. very. freaking. EXHAUSTING. it must be to pull off that performance even just once, let alone EIGHT TIMES A WEEK FOR A YEAR!?!? It makes me want to curl up into a ball and sleep for days just *watching* what he does up there, let alone having to actually do it that consistently for that long. He throws himself so very deep into that role that it genuinely makes me hope he's being very careful to take care of himself not just physically but mentally as well. Frankly, the fact that he EVER comes to stage door is impressive as all hell to me and a real testament to what a sweetheart he is, that he would take the time to do that for fans despite surely wanting nothing more than to crash for a while and decompress after such a vocally, physically, and uniquely emotionally grueling show. It just boggles my mind that there are people who actually think it's an actor's job to come out and stagedoor... and the thing is, I don't think being young is too much of an excuse, because I remember even at 13 and 14 years old being well aware of how much of a privilege it was that Broadway actors are kind enough to do that for fans. The ONLY job an actor has is to put on the best performance possible for the audience. That is always what seeing a show should be about: the performance. If the main reason a person is seeing a show that so many others would kill to have the opportunity to see live is to be able to say they met the actor afterward, that's insanely disrespectful and frankly, they shouldn't be seeing it at all. Ben is giving one of the best performances I've ever seen up there, and I cannot even imagine caring more about getting to meet him for a couple seconds than about getting to witness that performance live.
My favorite part of this story was how the WHOLE CAST took to twitter and defended Ben. Kristolyn, Laura, and Jenifer especially. I also love how Ben STILL kept the actual garbage in mind when he wrote out his apology and was STILL kind to someone who wasn't kind to him. STAGE DOOR IS A PRIVILEGE NOT A RIGHT!!!
When you said make friends at the stage door it made me think of my friend who went to NYC on a drama club trip for a week and she ended up seeing the same girl (who was not in her drama club group) at 2 or 3 of stage doors the 6 shows she saw while she was there haha
1. This was a wonderful and important video. I hate that some people don't appreciate the incredible work that actors, actresses, understudies, swings, musicians, and technicians put into every show. It's awesome to see you standing up against that and in support of everyone who works so hard to make the shows amazing. 2. (Completely unrelated) You're so lovely, and your voice is so great?? I don't know how to describe it, but you enunciate very well and your voice is smooth? Sorry, that sounded weird. Anyway, you're a joy and I'm subscribing. #TheatreThursdayFam
Getting signatures from Broadway kids is also super fun!! I got little Anastasia and little Lulu when I was in New York. They got a kick out of my question "Have you ever been on Broadway before?" It gave them a chance to say it was their first time, and they feel awesome about it!! And when they're really little, like Cate (Lulu), you can compliment their handwriting and writing abilities.
So I was in a show where my costume looked a lot like Eliza’s shiny blue dress in Hamilton, and I was allowed to stage door in costume. I wasn’t planning on wearing it since it was like 90 degrees out, but my friend ( who also was in the show) told me that I had a lot of kids at the stage door who were really excited to see my character. Once I came out in costume to say hi, I got mobbed by excited kids who recognized the costume and it was the cutest thing ever☺️
![CAMPปลิ้น | EP.83[1/2] เปิดแคมป์หลอนต้อนรับ 2 ตัวพ่อแห่งวงการผี!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/2uPuHYHgwiI/mqdefault.jpg)
i went to the stage door at dear evan hansen, and it honestly made me sick the way people were talking. "oh we paid all this money to come see the performance, the least he could do is make an appearance out here" excuse me? ben doesn't owe you anything. he just spent the last two and a half hours vomiting his heart and soul up on that stage, and he's fucking exhausted. he doesn't owe you an appearance, you should just be fucking grateful you were able to see him give that life changing performance. learn some selflessness honestly. when ben didn't come out both times i went to that stage door, of course i was sad i couldnt thank him for the incredible show, but i respected his feelings about it and i completely understood why he doesn't do it
Katherine Steele thank you!!! honestly it's so sad how selfish people are and just want his autograph or picture to say they've done it. it should be about appreciating the time he took to give that performance and being grateful you're there to see it
Emma GIRL U ARE THE REALEST
Erica Richter THANK YOU
Emma PREACH
You are 100% right! Whoever posted that nasty tweet is a jerk. It is so sad that such a kind gentleman like Ben Platt has been hurt by this.
How can someone not love the wonderful human that is Ben Platt?
Holly Cziraki Because her daughters went to see it two or three times (I can’t remember) and each time they went ben didn’t go to the stage door. Regardless she is trash in my opinion
I LOVE Ben!
Holly Cziraki ben platt is a sweet cinnamon roll. I want to punch anybody who trolls him.
Ik my husband deserve better than this
OMG I KNOW (Also a boy in my class is cousins with Ben Platt he is so luckyyyy
Ok what you were talking about when you said some people don't get credit is so true and so sad. When I saw DEH, I saw it with Colton Ryan, and so many people didn't wanna see the show and even sold their tickets just because ben wasn't in it! It's so sad. And when he came out the stagedoor, we all cheered. After he was done signing we cheered one more time, but he looked at the stage door because he didn't think we'd be cheering for him again and he thought someone else came out. Understudies are so skilled and I just love them so much
That's so sad and makes me furious. But I'm SO HAPPY that the audience was super cool & nice 💞
JustSalty Jordan I'm seeing deh in september, I'd be just as happy to see it with ben, colton, or any other understudy because understudies are freaking amazing and its so cool seeing a performance that most people don't get to see
JustSalty Jordan ahhh I love Colton so much! He's the best
Yea it's so nerve recking to just go on on such short notice. That takes so much skill. And in most shows understudies are ensemble and understudy for several roles... so it takes so much dedication. They are honestly the greatest.
Justsalty Jordan, that's the most beautiful stage door story I 've read.
woohoo Colton! your awesome!
'Cause all that it takes is a little consideration!
Stage doors are great, but they're not an obligation.
All you gotta do is just appreciate the show you went to see.
Sincerely, me! :)
Orion Mendenall Please write a musical I would watch it and this is the best thing I have ever seen in any comments section ever thank you
Smooth man
YEAHHHHH
THIS IS AMAZING.
Whoa this is really good and it actually fits with the rhythm of the song :0
WHOEVER CALLED BEN GARBAGE SHOULD LOOK IN THE MIRROR, CAUSE, OH HONEY, THAT IS WHAT I CALL A DUMPSTER, OH HONEEEEYYY
I want this on a t-shirt
I have a T-Shirt press. Im gonna make it happen 😂
I would buy it
Lorenzo F Boo, we on the sameeeee page! Theatre Thursday Fam should totally like track this person down, cause garbage like this is why we have environmental issues 😂😂😂
Lorenzo F This is why your my favorite human being 😂
It drives me nucking futz when people act like stage dooring is part of the actors jobs!!
So, I got to see Dear Evan Hansen a few days before the Tonys this year. I don't live near NY so it was a big deal - the ticket was my Christmas present and this would only be my second Broadway show (I saw wicked 5 years ago.) I was SO EXCITED. When I got there, I learned Ben was sick and Colton Ryan was going on. To be honest, I was crushed to miss out on Ben. HOWEVER, I tried to keep an open mind, I'd heard Colton was great and although I'd miss ben, I knew the show was going to be great. The behavior of the people around me though, was horrendous and these were obviously people who got to see shows a considerable amount of time. It was so disheartening to see people throwing fits and returning their tickets.
Obviously, Colton was beyond incredible and he did come out to stage door! I made sure to tell him I was so excited and happy to get to see his version of Evan and he seemed so touched and genuinely grateful; I was glad I got to tell him that.
There's my long story lol but my point is, if I, someone who never gets to see Broadway shows, can enjoy it without the "star" and still be respectful, I think privileged theatergoers who DO get to see the originals on stage should be able to deal with the fact that they don't or can't always give an extra unpaid hour surrounded by 300 germy people to them.😡🙄😶
I saw the show November 24. When I first got tickets, I wasn't sure if Ben was still gonna be there bc I didn't know if his contract would end one year since previews or one year since opening. I will admit, I was bummed I missed him by 5 days. But I was still thankful enough to see the show. Noah Galvin was incredible! And from a brighter side, I thought it was really cool that I got to see him in his first week (it was his fifth performance total)! And I was also very thankful I still got to see the rest of the OBC! Proof that THE SHOW IS STILL INCREDIBLE EVEN WITHOUT BEN!
I’m going to see the show next year and I am literally so pumped no matter who is playing evan. Yeah, it would have been great if I had seen it with Ben but honestly just seeing the show in general will be an awesome experience!
I completely agree with your comment because like she said it's not their job to come to the stage door. I'm not a regular theatregoer I have never been lucky enough to see a broadway show. But even if I was I wouldn't act like that ever because there are millions of reasons why someone can't or don't want to come to the stage door.
Deh stagedoor is so insane. Catch me at the hello Dolly stagedoor chillin with old people
Sabrina Mangonexo lol so true. I just laughed so hard
Sabrina Mangonexo I love Hello, Dolly!😫❤️ and I love the cast so much!!! They are all so sweet and loving!
this comment is a saving grace
lmao sAME
you just regained my faith in humanity
I want a t shirt saying "first we take over broadway and then the world" 😂😂
+Laura Buell 🎉💕🎭
Laura Buell I WILL ORDER SEVEN
Laura Buell I would 100% buy one, just saying
Laura Buell I'd buy it in a heart beat!
Katherine Steele PLZ MAKE THIS HAPPEN
How dare they call my son garbage
He's everyone's son
Exactly
Jillian Arnold AND MIKEEE!!!
Jillian Arnold 🌹
Young Thursday Ben Platt- CALL ME SON ONE MORE TIME
Whenever a show gets mainstream attention, there are people who arent part of the "theatre community" that dont know or understand that these are real people. they have real lives to get to, they just worked their butt off to give you the experience you just had. unlike the actors that they know who only have to film a movie once and then its out there for people to enjoy, broadway actors have to recreate the same magic in stage 8 times (or more) a week. Not excusing their actions completely, just some thoughts i had.
August tbh the newfound popularity is really getting on my nerves as of late. It's annoying to me, as a theatre nerd prior to Hamilton, but now people need to stop living in the world where Hamilton, DEH, Heathers, Be More Chill, and 21 Chump Street are the only musicals.
agreed! like what about fly by night? i never see it get any attention and most "musical junkies" don't even know it or any of the songs.
Don't get mad at people who only know those shows though. Most of them (myself included) were probably introduced to the love of theater by mainstream shows, and are still discovering other lesser known plays.
ommi I know this comment is a year late but YOU KNOW ABOUT FLY BY NIGHT?!
August Also I totally feel you guys when you say you’re bugged by this situation. I remember that I met this girl during an event that my school was doing and her and her friends were singing some Hamilton. So I join in with them and after our sing along I asked her if she liked any other musicals. I name some kind of obscure ones but she doesn’t know them which I completely understand, so then I asked if she’s ever listened to DEH or BMC. She told me she never even listened to them because she just assumed that all other musicals were trash compared to Hamilton and that nothing will be better than Hamilton. Idk if she was joking but it was still a pretty harsh thing to say and it did make me a little mad. Is Hamilton great? Yes but you gotta broaden your horizons and listen to something else you can’t just listen to Hamilton and say that you know what ALL musicals are like because of it. TLDR: Close minded girl said Hamilton was the only good musical out there and I disagree
The sad thing is that the stage door used to literally just be a door where the actors and crew would come and leave a performance from. Now it's a giant maze for larger performances and the actors have to find another way out of the building if they can't do stage door that day.
I'm so happy you're addressing this omg
Angelica Schuyler ohh hey Angelica
Work work
ELIZZZA
And Peggy 💛💖💙
WERK!
I stage doored at Dear Evan Hansen last week and the cast was so incredibly nice! I'm glad that people reacted the way they did when Ben didn't come out- they were very supportive of him! Also, Michael Park took the time to talk to everyone which was so kind of him! I gave him a drawing and told him I didn't think it was good, when he told me to believe in myself! Sorry that this was so long, I just felt like sharing.
lizzo BISH I WISH THAT HAPPENED TO ME
lizzo THAT IS SO COOL
Thank you for sharing ❤️
I actually got to talk to Michael Park too! When i went, the layout of the playbill where their faces and names were, so he had to sign over Garret’s face, so I said “true cast member love” and made him laugh
I feel like this problem had gotten bigger now that more 'famous people' are in shows.
+olivia stone Ooh, yes!! Good point!! Like, I'm SO happy that shows are getting mainstream popularity because it means more people discovering how awesome Broadway is, more fans often = more funding for the arts, etc. BUT with mainstream popularity, I think we get a lot of people who don't really understand the dynamics that go into a Broadway/National Tour/ etc.
Katherine Steele honestly, I love the fact that theatre is becoming more mainstream, but all of the new popularity is beginning to become annoying. *So* many people don't understand simple theatrical terms and etiquette, and I feel like people need to realize that there's more musicals out there than Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Heathers, and Be More Chill.
+Gwen N Don't be so elitist. Everybody has to start somewhere. Unless you were raised on theatre, no one knows all of the theatrical terms and etiquette at first. Guess what? It's not simple to people who don't know it yet. With that being said, if someone is truly interested in theatre, they should take the time to become educated about theatre. They should also explore all of the different musicals that are out there. I agree with you that Hamilton, etc. aren't the only musicals that exist. However, whether or not people choose to expand their interest in other musicals is their choice.
I went to see Dear Evan Hansen in May for my birthday, just a few weeks before the Tony Awards. Of course it was amazing. When I went to the stage door, I was lucky to get most of the cast's signatures. However, Ben Platt, Mike Faist, and Jared Kleinman (I know his name is Will Roland but he'll always be my Jared Kleinman) didn't come out. I was a little disappointed, but honestly the show was so good that I was grateful to even get to see them perform. But I could tell that even the people that did come out were exhausted, and rightfully so. Actors put so much energy into their performance so that we can enjoy the show and have a good time. Don't call a Tony-winning actor "garbage" just because you, as an audience member, have no idea how draining and tiring performing on Broadway 8 shows a week is (I'm always exhausted after my shows, but I can't imagine what it must be like for the pros). Like some people can't even afford to see Ben Platt perform in person, and you're complaining about getting a signature?!?! That's ungrateful considering how difficult this heavy show must be.
K rant over I need to grab a scoop at A La Mode
Anna Trash bahaha you said jared kleinman😂 i believe u meant will roland
I saw a matinee of DEH with Noah Galvin and he was the only one who came out the stage door. I was bummed I didn't get to meet the rest of the OBC (especially WIll Roland, he nearly made me fall out of my seat!), but I was happy enough that I still got to see them, to see any OBC at all, especially since I missed Ben Platt by 5 days. They had another show to do at night! On the other hand, I thought it was really cool that I got to see Noah in his first week (it was his fifth performance total)! He was honestly incredible as Evan.
I’m sorry im reallyyyyyyyy late on this, but Mike and Will never come out at stage door. Mike doesn’t go because he’s tired, and doesn’t want to disappoint people with what they get instead of what they wanted (From MTV Interview he had), Will doesn’t beacause he might take what someone says the wrong way and hurt someone’s feelings or his own (I forgot where I heard it but it might be on one of his Sincerely Me vlogs)
When I do a show for everyday for 1 week and nothing more I am DEAD by the end. Can’t imagine how tired others are. Sucks that people who don’t understand that are so entitled
So disappointing to just now see a tweet from Brendan Urie about being harassed at stage door, totally not okay!!! He is there to perform, its NOT a meet and greet. Because of the people who cannot control themselves, he is no longer meeting them at stage door because it's too stressful which is completely reasonable!! People @ stage door need to chill
Sadie Odell they need to Be More Chill ahahahaha
You shooooooulld *be more chill*
you mentioned something about how people should clap for everyone whether they’re a swing or technician etc and it reminded me of when i got the honor to see anastasia on broadway this year and was able to stagedoor. i was with my chorus class because it was part of an annual school trip so there were a lot of us there alongside regular theatregoers. i’m ashamed to say people in my chorus class called and yelled and shook the gates for derek klena to come out, changing his character’s name rather than his. whenever someone who wasn’t derek came out, they all audibly sighed. you can imagine how that makes the people who aren’t derek feel. i love him too and he’s gorgeous but other people deserve recognition too and it’s so so disrespectful to the other people who put on this wonderful show to be sighed at just because they aren’t the amazingly talented derek klena.
sage wow, i'm very surprised! (also not). but i also stage doored at anastasia his summer, and everyone these cheered for the ensemble members, and it took them by surprise (very sad they don't expect to be cheered for) they didn't even know we wanted them to sign our playbills. but i haven't heard of a bad anastasia stage door experience until now, thanks for sharing!
Emma
that’s so crazy. i guess it was just my class then :( that’s so disheartening.
sage i'm so sorry you had to have a stage door experience with such negative people... the stage door should be a place of respect and gratefulness
oh my word, I'm so sorry... I saw Anastasia Thanksgiving week, and everyone cheered everyone equally, including Derek Klena. He was so chill! But I'm so sorry you had to experience that :(((
Ok here’s MY story...
So uh ok I saw DEH recently and Michael Lee Brown was Evan Hansen and GIRL... i was crushed. I complained to everyone who knows DEH about MLB and literally was the meanest person about him. And GIRL... i feel like the most selfish person in the world. I wanted Ben Platt to go in instead SO badly, but you know what?????? I MET MICHAEL! AND HE WAS HONESTLY AMAZING and i don’t regret seeing him instead of Ben! In fact, now I’m glad i didn’t see Ben (not that i don’t love him BC I DO) but Michael is the nicest person ever, and I regretted everything I said about Michael. And yes, ALL MY FRIENDS BASHED ME ABOUT IT but yeah, who cares? I saw Michael Lee Brown, he was honestly so unbelievable and nice and yeah. DO NOT BE UPSET LIKE I WAS
Do you know how much respect I have for people who admit their mistakes? SO. MUCH. RESPECT. Kudos to you *claps*
You’re allowed to be disappointed, as long as you aren’t rude about it. It’s great you still loved it though
WHO DARES CALL OUT MY BABY
HE DIDNT EVEN DESERVE TO BE CALLED OUT
An idiot called him out
I hate how people get angry when performers don't come out the stage door, the performers just put on a 2 hour plus show they are probably super exhausted and just want to get back to their apartment and chill, or they don't have the energy to go sign a bunch of autographs
Im always so nervous to go to stagedoors because I feel like I'll screw up XD
CassieIsTrash Honestly same. The only stage door I went to was for Great Comet and when I saw everyone I flipped out. Like yeah just casually getting my picture taken with Lucas Steele.
Literally my dream
Blank Black Tips:If you can't actually see a show check the show time and wait outside the stage door when it's over. Then you don't have to pay the money to see the show but you can meet the stars! Lol.
Blank Black O. I see.
Starchildx SAME THO
I love how we're all just act like moms and are like 'HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT OUR BABY BEN LIKE THAT!! HAVE SOME CLASS.'
is this a new theater kid problem?
SparklyBroadway yep pretty much😂
also you look like a disney character in this im obsessed
Like I said before, two weeks ago I went to New York and saw a broadway show for the very first time (waitress, awesome! can't get enough of the soundtrack!). I was so impressed at the stagedoor afterwards! They were super fast and all so friendly! Even little Cate came out to sign! The actors took their time. Unfortunately a few castmembers couldn't make it, but I was fine with that. In Belgium they don't do stagedooring after a show and when you see an actor afterwards they are mostly stuck up. I am so in love with Broadway and can't believe people can be angry about such thing. (okay, if you came a long way to see this one person you really want to see, I understand you want a pic or an autograph, but you at least saw them on stage). I also wrote a blog about my experience if anyone is interested. Anyway, I'll never forget this, it was so amazing and I absolutely LOVED it!
Kady De Schrijver id love to read your blog's entry! And i understand, in spain, its kind of the same.
Oh thank you! I'm not sure I can put the link here but it's a wordpress blog called "more than stories by Kady", hope you like it! :)
Cate.........magic in the form that is a broadway child
I've always wanted to see waitress? I'm happy you loved it!
Yes! Here in belgium musicals are so underrated, it's so hard to find people who share your interests and passions. Also i saw 40-45 a few weeks ago and it was really good but they didn't even come out and it was just people everywhere. I'm going to london in march to go and watch hamilton (it will be my first west-end show ever) and later in march to cats and iam so excited to finally stage door for the first time!
This is beautifully well said. My worst pet peeve is now when the main actors don't come out and people start writing these ridiculous messages on Twitter. It happened to Cynthia, Ben, Idina Menzel (recently after a show in Atlanta on her current world tour), and Brendon Urie (after Kinky Boots). Most people do not understand how exhausted they are and actors have other commitments too. THEY ARE PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND ME!!!
For me what I do is for example, I went to see the revival of SUNSET BOULEVARD 2 months ago with Glenn Close, none of the Principal actors came out after the matinee. I still stayed and got 3 Ensemble members to sign my Playbill and they were so nice. For Glenn, Michael, Siobhan, and Fred, I tweeted them saying thank you for an amazing performance and I missed you at stage door. Plus say what I initially what I wanted to say.
Usually when I go to stage door, I like to ask for audition advice. After that performers performance blew me away, I want to know what it takes to get cast in a Broadway show and I can be better at my very own craft. It's a networking moment for an actor.
What's also really cool is that I'm friends with Christy Altomare (star of ANASTASIA) and what she does the moments she knows that she can't come out, she tweets SORRY I COULDN'T STAGE DOOR BECAUSE (REASON). THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING AND LOVE YOU ALL!! Ramin did the same thing during the revival of LES MIZ.
For me when I make it on Broadway, I will always do my best to come out the stage door, sign, and take photos with people. Depending how I am feeling. If I can't, I'll always put a message on Social Media to save myself from being called an A**HOLE or GARBAGE (Poor Ben). First things first, CAST ME IN A BROADWAY SHOW YOU CASTING DIRECTORS!!!
[hides from scary DEH fans]
I think this shouldn't even be a problem. What if we assume that people are people and not gods.
I'm gonna pray to lord shipooba god now
While I'm rambling, What's the coolest thing you've ever gotten from a cast member?
As someone who's been ensemble and gotten to sign a program, it's a great feeling.
Anytime I do a show for younger audiences (especially Disney!!) I LOVE meeting kids after 😭😭 It's pure magic!!
Very very very well spoken, informative video. As a performer, I agree with everything you said. Thanks for this video💕💕💕💕💕
I went to see Dear Evan Hansen. I waited with a large group of people after the show, we didn't see Ben. I was totally ok with that. IF WE WERE MEANT TO BE A COUPLE, OBVIOUSLY THAT WASNT THE WAY IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. But I really don't blame him, I know my social anxiety would flare up if a crowd of people tried to meet me several times a week
+davidshead 😂💙😂
Hey Katherine, Girl you had me nervous when I didn't see you this morning 😂😂😂 but I'm SO HAPPY to me notified now!! ❤️❤️❤️ happy theatre Thursday 🎉🎉🎉
Hi my name is STAY FOR THE APPLAUSE, BE A KIND HUMAN, AND BE AN APPRECIATIVE AND CONSIDERATE PERSON IN GENERAL!!!!!!!!!!!,nice to meet you😊💅🏼❤️
Okay this is really off topic but I'm gonna talk about this good stage door experience cause positivity!
So I do this educational show choir theatre group and we have this amazing director and so me and a ton of my friends went to go see her when she did South Pacific! She was Ensign Nellie Forbush. So all the kids got roses and gave them to her until she had a bouquet. She was so happy!
That's how you should stage door.
Also go see a community theater show.
I'm done now
Thank you so much for asking people to give credit to the instrumental musicians! As a clarinet/saxophone player, leaving through the stage door after the musical my high school produced a few weeks ago was quite awkward, as almost nobody in the crowd knew what to do. There was almost nobody that clapped, and everyone sort of got quiet and stared at me and the other members of the musical pit as we walked through the crowd. It was so awkward, so thank you so much for appreciating the musical pit! :D
I had no idea technicians could stage door, I thought it was just an actor thing. As a technician myself this is super cool and I want to meet all the super cool stage managers out there who stage door!
I have not watched this video yet but before i forget i just want to say that I went to NYC a few weeks ago and was casually passing by the Musical Box Theatre and I was like, oh cool! Dear Evan Hansen is right there! and it just so happened to be the exact time for stage door so I decided to just take a look and see if Ben was there since I have been following him for a looong time (i'm not much of a DEH fan YET so Ben is really the only actor I know/really like from there (IM SORRYYYY)) and i heard that a few people were complaining to the security guard saying that they deserved to see Ben and they were very rude to the guard when he said that Ben was not able to go out that day, they were basically throwing a tantrum in the middle of the street. I MEAN WHAT. Seeing the show does not instantly give you guaranteed pass to meet the actors! It's so RIDICULOUS how people don't take into account the amount of ENERGY these actors spend with just one show, imagine multiple times a week! Stage dooring exists so actors can meet some of the fans from time to time, but you're there for a Broadway musical, not for a meet and greet experience.
GIVE. ACTORS. THEIR. SPACE. They're not and shouldn't be obligated to go out every single time they have a show. THEY'RE PEOPLE JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
+Melissa Lozano RIGHT?!? It's insanity!!
When I saw Hamilton in Chicago there was this one family behind us and ugh!!!
1. They came to the theater in not theater attire. They all had on muddy jeans, cowboy boots, and t shirts.
2. They entered the theater during “Aaron burr sir” and when they came in the son started SINGING ALONG!!
3. They snuck candy in the theater and the whole time they were MAKING NOISES W I T H T H E W R A P P E R S
4. When they heard the actor playing Hamilton sing the dad shouted “This isn’t Lin! I want a refund!” And, at the end of the song, he stood up and bood when everyone else was clapping.
5. THEY GOT UP AND LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF ACT TWO!!
6. Later that night, when we stagedoored (I met Karen Olivo low key best day of my life), THEY WERE AT THE STAGE DOOR AND GOT EVERYONES SIGNATURE ON THE PLAYBILLS! But everyone got a comment. Here’s what they would say:
To the main characters- “Still not as good as the original”
To the ensemble members- “Were you even in the show I didn’t see you”
We just couldn’t believe how they had the nerve to say that!
PLEASE IF YOURE READING THIS, DONT BE LIKE THESE HORRIBLE PEOPLE!
Edit: where was security during this
H O L Y S M O K E S
The dad wanting a refund Makes me furious as Miguel Cervantes is an amazing performer and the nicest Guy around
I waited six hours for Brendon Urie to come out to the stage door when he was in Kinky Boots and his bodyguard Zack told everyone right before the cast came out "Don't push the barricade guys my priority is Brendon's safety and yours as well" luckily that night people weren't as crazy and I got to meet Brendon and got a picture with him it was so cool! But then a couple weeks later Brendon tweeted that he wasn't coming to the stage door anymore because people were literally screaming in his face and pushing people into the barricade and it sickened me. I just wish people would realize that performers/musicians/celebrities are just people and that you have to respect them.
I have to do 'stage door' for my theater except we stand out in the lobby and meet everyone and for the first time ever I did it for my camp and oh my lord I love it. I love the little kids who get so excited to see the characters and hug you and squeeze you and GAH! I just love it!
I sent Carrie Hope Fletcher the link to this video because she totally jives with you on this topic. Sending lots of love to you and the rest of my theatre Thursday fam!
Another reason to have your own Sharpie: sometimes you'll see an actor exiting not via the stage door and they will be willing to sign your Playbill! Often, actors who aren't main characters won't bother will the stage door but are totally willing to sign a Playbill quickly. I will typically just say "Congrats, you were great in the show!" and if the actor stops to chat, I'll take that as my time to ask for an autograph (don't just chase them down).
This happened with Jon Rua when I saw the original cast of Hamilton and he was super happy to chat for a few minutes and sign me and my sister's Playbills because we were fans! xx
+Nicole Ackman totally, great tip!! 💙
that's so cool! I saw him in Spongebob and was bummed he didn't come out, but my mom said she saw some other actors leave out another door, he was probably there! XD
I've just discovered your channel and as a theatre kid (now theatre adult :P) from London I've found a new channel to binge-watch! I love all your video, your personality and humour are infectious and I can't wait to see what future content you come out with on this channel! Also, going off what you said in this video about people who walk out of shows during the applause at the end, one of my biggest pet peeves is when audience members continue their full-volume conversations during the overture and/or entr'acte - it's like THE LIGHTS ARE DOWN AND THE ORCHESTRA IS WORKING THEIR BUTTS OFF TO PERFORM BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, THEREFORE THE SHOW HAS ALREADY STARTED SO PLEASE STOP YOUR CONVERSATIONS! I'm not sure if it's just me, but this always seems to happen whenever I go to see a musical and I think it's so disrespectful! x
Rosie Allen YES!! I totally agree! (And thank you 💕🌟) welcome to the #TheatreThursdayFam 🎉💕🎭
Rosie Allen I’m from the UK too! Just found this lovely lady’s channel 😍
I completely agree it is a privilege to see actors after a show. When I saw War Paint last month I was not expecting to see anyone at the stage door, but I waited anyway. I actually got to meet Patti and Christine and they signed my playbill!! While waiting in line I met some of the nicest people who are actually in the business too!! It's always good be humble and grateful! Thank you Katherine for teaching theatre fans proper ways of thought and etiquette. A channel like yours is greatly needed and appreciated!
i know i'm late to this but i wanted to come back and watch this again and comment after stage dooring at dear evan hansen! when i saw it michael lee brown played evan and ben levi ross played jared. they were the only two who came out and they were both INCREDIBLE!!! i'm not an actor but my friend who came with me is and he told them both that they really inspired him and made him want to do this forever and they were both so touched!! they really appreciated every compliment and piece of kindness so it really is worth it to be kind to everyone that comes out!!
All I want in life is to meet Will Roland at the stage door. I love him so much.
I HOPE YOU DO! He nearly made me fall out of my seat when he saw it. Sadly, though, he didn't come out (it was a matinee though so they still had another show)
I will fight her Ben has every right to NOT go to the stage door this happens to alot of people and they don't complain. She and her daughters should be greatfull that even got to see the show.
I just stage doored Kinky Boots the other day (the show was absolutely incredible and fantastic!) and the crowd around me at the stage door was insane. Most people were respectful to all of the actors but one group of girls started singing a Panic! song while the actors other than Brendon Urie were still out signing our playbills. Once Brendon came out people were literally trying to climb over me to make sure their playbill was signed. One kid next to me legitimately threw a gift they had for Brendon at him. Threw it.
WHy anyone wants to leave during Curtain Call (aka Applause) is beyond me, i love applauding all the people from ensemble members to the main cast etc etc. It's my favourite part of the show because it's the part of the show where you can be as loud and as crazy about your favourite people and the people you enjoyed watching on stage as you want because the performance is offically over and you don't have to think about bothering someone else near you because they are clapping just as hard and cheering just as loud as you are :)
Now about Stage Door.
Stage Door is a great place to meet fellow lovers of a show and the actors that create the art that you love but it's also a place that terrifies and worries me deeply, I have been to Stage Doors that have been extremely pleasant and wonderful where everyone is polite and loving and patient, but I have also been to a Stage Door (recently actually) where I had a mini panic attack because some people were yelling and cursing at the actors who came out and I felt very scared for not only the actors well beings but also the other people at the stage door too, I appreciate everything a stage actor puts into their performance so they can give the same quality performance each night what I don't appreciate is people being cruel to those actors who didn't come out because of something that was out of their control or what was in their control. You paid for the show they were in, you didn't pay for stage door, it's a luxury, NOT a necessity, that's why I always go to twitter and thank the actors and company for a wonderful show, because sometimes I know they can't get round to everyone and I know I won't be able to stay and wait for them, that's why social media exists and believe me, when you tweet someone, they DO see every tweet, but they just don't have time to like and answer all the tweets and messages and that's completely fine, please don't hate them and instead APPRECIATE them for all they give us the fan.
Thankyou for reading this far if you ared enough to do so :) x
WOW I gotta say I've been watching your vids all morning, and for someone who is going to college in the fall, you give the best advice for theatre and auditions and whatnot! It's super helpful and Im hyped to be a part of the theatre Thursday fam!
I was lucky enough to get tickets to Dear Evan Hansen while it was still original cast for my birthday present. Ben Platt didn't show up, and though I was a little sad because I love Ben, I wasn't going to through a tantrum about it. I was thrilled to see Rachel Bay Jones, Lauren Dreyfus and John Dosset in person, and I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.
Thank you so much for making this video. This message needs to be spread so badly.
Girl, PREACH. The ignorance of some people is astounding. You're paying for the performance, not a meet and greet. A performance that depends on the health of the performer...gah, thanks for wording this so well!
Ben is such a kind person, too. Gosh.
Fun story:
Way back in April, I had the fortunate experience to see wicked on Broadway. One of my best friends step grand mother happens to be Sheryl lee Ralph. She took me and my friend backstage to her dressing room and onstage before the show. We saw the show (it was amazing) and then we met her dresser and went back backstage and got to meet Kara Lindsay (who plays Glinda) and then we went back onstage and met Jenny Dinoia (elphaba). She took us out the stage door and there were so many people we kind of felt like stars (lol) we got to hand out posters and stuff. I then was driven home and ate crepes in New York City with a tony nominated actress and my best Friend. (Fun fact: Sheryl also got us backstage at a todrick hall concert that we both happend to be at and we got to meet him)
Thank you so much for talking about this. The other day, I was just telling my friend that going to the stage door and possibly meeting the actors is a privilege, a blessing, not a right! I've also seen people walk out during applause and it honestly is so rude! Thank you so so much for addressing this. I feel like more people should learn and realize this.
Omg Kat says she's angry,, she's "ANGRY" YOU GUYS!!! That is literally the cutest thing I've ever heard. I wish I was this adorable when I was mad
Ben literally is the sweetest being on this planet (apart from you and my family and friends OBVIOUSLYYY) He has the most powerful voice with the most powerful notes, he even looked exhausted in song 2! 2! He is actually extremely nice I met him after a show and he was so sweet!! I know if he could come out he would. 💕
"How to not be a jerk to Ben Platt"
Me: that shouldn't even be physically possible-
Honestly, people like this woman who tweet stuff like this makes me sick, ben platt works so hard and is such a wonderful human being and there is no way he could go to the stage door every night, i was lucky enough to go see DEH on broadway and you can really tell how much work he puts into each show, he deserves to go home and rest after a show, and when he does meet fans he is so incredibly kind, in conclusion Ben Platt is so incredible and does not deserve any tiny bit of hate.
+Maggie Herber TOTALLY agreed
Thank you so much for addressing this omg Ben deserves all the love because he works so hard for what he has and fans just need to deal with him doing what he needs to do to keep performing while staying happy 😃
Thank you so much for the stagedoor tips! I am seeing a few shows on broadway soon and I've never stagedoored before, so these are so helpful! 💕
I went stagedooring at Hamilton and Something Rotten, and I do nOT regret it.
Another great video, Kath! Keep it up!!
I love this sooooo much!!! I agree with you 100%!! I always stagedoor the shows I see. I love to give my thanks to the people who work so hard.. and it's always so exciting when you ask an ensemble member to sign your playbill and they get surprised😂❤️
Even though Ben Platt is gone he still is a legend. He knew how to show social anxiety with out under or over doing it. Let’s see you do a beter job whoever called him garage
It was probably a Hamilton supporter😂
Yeah I never can understand why people would do that especially to the people who work super hard to put together and to put on a broadway show. You're definitely right about all of that and about giving recognition to not only the broadway stars but also the ones who aren't on the stage. Bc it would make them feel good knowing that they did a good days work. Thank you for addressing this and also Ben Platt is amazing.
This actually really helped because I have never been to a theater before and I’m seeing Hamilton today so I would not at all know what stage dooring is so thank you for making this 😊
So about the applause thing... I'm really glad you mentioned it. at the beginning of spring break me, my mom, my friend, and her mom watched Cirque du Soleil's "Crystal." I just want to say that Cirque du Soleil audience members don't seem to understand that it's just as much of a performance as a musical theatre show. First of all, there's audience members talking during the show and bootlegging all the time. During intermission, my mom told me that we were gonna leave during the bows just so we could leave before traffic in the parking lot began. I tried to explain to her that doing so would be super disrespectful to everyone in the show and she just told me that it's not a big deal. When we walked out of the stadium during bows, I wasn't in a very good mood and my friend's mom had the audacity to say "they're literally just bowing, the show's over, there's nothing else to see." which made me extremely upset. So I'm glad my opinion on bows is universal in the theatre community.
Hey! Thanks for the tips, stagedooring is definitely something I'd like to try at some point. This is slightly unrelated, but I just wanted to say that I love your videos. You've been such an inspiration to me, and your positive, genuine attitude and professionalism are things I'd really want to incorporate into my own theatre work. Thanks!
When I saw Hamilton (my first Broadway show !!!!! and first time in New York City!!!!), I was lucky to find some amazing people to show me the stage door ropes and I met five really amazing actors and actresses! It was such a privilege to a) be able to see the show and b) meet a couple of the talented people that performed that afternoon. It breaks my heart to see and hear people being negative about stars not coming to the stage door ;( They put so much effort into an incredible piece of art and we should all respect them! Everything you said was so spot on here!! I admire you so!
As someone who definitely watched all that go down on Twitter, a quick perusal of that person's twitter feed, as well as her subsequent comments to Ben and to others who responded to her, tell you everything you need to know about that person. Huge dearth of class - my benefit of the doubt crumbled pretty fast.
Can you help me?
I get anxiety when it comes to meeting people I look up to! I panic the whole time I'm in the same area and when they talk to me I have to try REALLY hard not to look like I'm panicking. I really want to start going to the stage door, but I'm scared I'll be to panicked. Do you have any advice for staying calm while meeting people you really look up to? Not to mention that the stage door is already really crowded!
Duck Puppet i know i'm not Katherine, but here's what helped me: talk to the other people next to you in line. most of them will also have the same problem, and you can often make good friends in the hour it takes to wait. talking to someone can help relieve the stress you have (it really helped me, we were eating dinner before i went to the DEH stage door and i couldn't eat a bite i was shaking so much). i would also just start out with a compliment as you hand them your Playbill, they will thank you and not feel irritated that you're "just one more person who's playbill i'm signing" i complimented Laura Dreyfuss on her performance, and once she said thank you and smiled, i moved on to tell her how much she inspired me to work towards my goals! hope this helps! let me know if you need any more help!
Thank you so much for your advice! I'll definitely try it out next time I go to the stage door!
I also know i'm not katherine but sometimes it's ok to tell the person that you are meeting that you are so excited to meet them that you're a little nervous. A majority of them will understand (they've been there) and be flattered that you like them that much.
AWWWWW thank you all for the advice! Knowing that I at least know what I could do (talking to people, saying I'm nervous, ect, ) also helps me to feel better!
Yes, Katherine!! Thank you for this!! I was so mad when this happened, reading through her tweets I was disgusted and heartbroken. Love you!💖
Ben Platt is for real the purest human being on this earth like I can't understand why someone could not adore him
First of all, I cannot even imagine someone wanting to be so malicious as to hurt Ben Platt, who has been so amazing to fans of his, of DEH, of Broadway in general? It's insane. On another note you are absolutely amazing and deserve literally the entire world
you're a beacon of light kath, i love you and your videos!!
+tasminemma 💙💙💙
yes this video is super important!! thanks for making this kath love you and your videos! :)))))
I was lucky enough to meet and have a wonderful conversation with some of the swings in the Hamilton tour (in sf right now) when they came to my acting class. Honestly they were so nice and kind and gave the best advice ever. They honestly deserve so much more recognition! They are so nice and inspiring and damn talented!
Hi Katherine😊 you probably won't read this but when you did Into the Woods and played cinderella the theatre wasn't called Stageworks Theatre (or formally known as Houston Family Arts Center) ik this is super late but I just found your channel and you look a lot like the girl who played cinderella in the show. thanks if u read😊
Hi! It was in Los Angeles :)
Katherine Steele oh ok that theatre is in houston, texas. thanks for replaying tho☺
I just really love your videos and I agree with everything you said in your video. You are such a kind and talented person and honestly, subscribing to your channel was probably one of the best desicions I've every made.
This is actually very useful!! I might go to new york soon and if we do, we'll try to get waitress tickets. I already saw the show and loved it! I didn't get to see Drew the first time since he was out so hopefully he'll be there. I want to experience stage door, but i'm really nervous, so hearing about other people's experience is helpful. Thank you for that!! Love your videos by the way; only discovered you a few weeks ago, and I'm already obsessed with your theater videos!! 🙆🏻💛
I have been lucky to have had wonderful stage door experiences every time I go to the theater. It amazes me how nice everyone is, both actors and audience members alike. It is a shame that the select few rude members ruin it for everyone else.
I’m an actor myself. I know I’M exhausted and need to take some time for myself after doing a show, and I simply can’t imagine doing Broadway! (though I want to someday!) If Ben doesn’t come out, that’s FINE. Be respectful. I cannot believe the audacity of people. You simply need to try to put yourself in other’s shoes. Plus, Ben has to make himself completely break down on stage so many times every week, it’s emotionally draining for him! Ben’s mental health and wellbeing is SO much more important than stagedooring. People these days, sheesh!
Yknow what, I respect Ben for responding so well. like he said, he needs rest after such a emotionally and physically draining performance. Also, it IS a privilege to see the cast members at the stage doors! Be happy you even got to meet the other WONDERFUL cast members! Some people just make me mad, especially if you try to bring down my idol for something so.... stupid.
+Kyla Doodles RT!! Ben dealt with this so, so well! ❤👏🏻
When I saw DEH Ben platt didn't come out of the stage door.(He was prob on vocal rest I still love Ben platt). I did carry a small conversation with Michael park tho. If anyone reads this comment if u ever see DEH and go to the stage door and see Michael park, buy a cd and have him sign the cd thingy that has the lyrics. He rlly likes signing those.
on the topic of the instant camera: when i went to hamilton me and my family were struggling to take a selfie of all of us and this women came and asked if we wanted her to take a Polaroid of us. she did it and now it's one of my most favorite things I have! It's so nice to have a real photo you can hold in your hands and keep forever so I definitely recommend it!
Oh my goodness, I LOVE that story!!!
What made me really sad is how Brendon Urie (Currently in Kinky Boots but best known as front man of a band called Panic! At The Disco) can no longer come to the stage door at all because of the way fans would crowd him. Brendon has anxiety and can't deal with big crowds like that. And even after people told the crowd to back up they still crowded him to the point where he had to leave. These performers are people to and you have to respect that. Broadway is one of the only places where you get to meet the performers after the show with out having to pay extra for meet and greet or VIP. Whether they come out or not, consider the performers physical and mental and emotional health and be respectful.
Thank you!! This was much needed, it makes me angry when people don't respect actors as people, and think because they paid to see the show, they can do whatever they want at the stage door 😑🙄
this is the first video i've watched from this channel and i already love you
+Jade Jimenez jade!! thank you!! Welcome to the #TheatreThursdayFam 🎉💕🎭
How can someone say that to Ben Platt he is wonderful! I have been in many plays and musicals and if you are not a big lead and just part of the ensemble a lot of people overlook them when they are very important to making a show amazing! I'm glad you brought that up.
A while ago, I recognized Morgan, a former ensemble member of Hamilton, when she was exiting the stagedoor. I yelled out, "Morgan!!" and she was so surprised someone knew her! It was awesome. We took pictures and everyone around us was so confused 😂
When you go to see any show you pay for three things:
A ticket
A preformance
And a playbill
A stage door is a free privilege that we get and the actors aren't required to do it.
I'm thirteen and I've done a few professional shows *flips hair* and I remember I had done a show with some kid who was in Les Mis or Newsies or something. It was a very emotionally draining show, so, as much as I enjoyed stage dooring, I would only sign MAYBE 20 "playbills" a night some nights. I just remember that I and the Broadway kid (it might have been Anthony Rosethal, but I don't think so) had finished signing playbills for the night, and apparently we missed this kid and got screamed at by this mother. It was crazy. I don't think I ever felt worse, as ya know getting yelled at isn't fun.
Anyway, that's my rant. Loved the video Kath! 💕
Update: it wasn't Anthony Rosenthal (saddly) and the kid was in Les Mis
Uff when I watched DEH I was so thankful that I could talk to them for a few seconds and get an autograph or even a picture with them. I don’t get why ppl get mad. Ofc you are disappointed when they don’t show up, but I would never get mad, bc it probably has a reason. Also thank you for also mentioning the ppl that are not that famous, but still did an awesome job at a show. They all tried giving you the best night possible and they all deserve some attention. Btw if anyone is gonna call Ben Platt garbage again I’m gonna freak out
Thank you so much. I am seeing Be More Chill in two weeks and I have no clue how stagedooring works. This was super helpful thank you
I saw Dear Evan Hansen in London and literally all the cast members apart from Larry Murphy came out and I'm very grateful for that!!!
"How to not be a jerk to Tony Award winner Ben Platt" should have been the title of this video. He is such an angel; it's his job to recreate the exact same experience for hundreds of people every night. My friend was at the show on Tuesday and said that Ben had to leave in the middle of stagedooring so the security guards made everyone leave. I hope that people are respectful and realize that he does this to preserve the show. They wouldn't have gotten to see such an amazing show if it weren't for him going to such extreme lengths.
I saw Anastasia, Dear Evan Hansen (with Noah Galvin), and Spongebob all Thanksgiving week, and I stage doored all three of them.
One helpful tip is if you see an actor you don't recognize, don't be afraid to ask them who they played! I learned that one of the actors who came out of Anastasia was the ballerina, and she was incredible! A bunch of ensemble members came out of the Spongebob stage door too, and I asked who they played, and they were so nice! One of them also happened to teach a hip hop class at Broadway Dance Center, and he told me to check it out! (sadly, though, I had to tell him I was not from NYC):
Another huge tip - treat these actors like humans! I will admit, I freaked out and had a hard time keeping calm when I saw certain actors, especially Noah Galvin and Ethan Slater. Remember they're human too, and it's totally okay to have a casual conversation with them! Derek Klena, John Bolton, Danny Skinner, and Wesley Taylor were all super chill and super awesome at the stage door!
Also, repeating again what Katherine said, these people do not have to come out! You paid to see a show, stage dooring is just an additional privilege. At Anastasia, Christy didn't come out, but she had the Macy's Parade the next morning, so she definitely had to get rest because they had to be there SUPER EARLY in the morning. For Dear Evan Hansen, Noah was the only one who came out, and I will admit I was bummed, especially since the rest of the OBC was still there, but this was a matinee and they have to be able to do the show again at night (Ethan Slater recently tweeted about this too, about how he can't stage door matinees bc he has to be able to do the evening show).
But yeah, that's my spiel.
Ugh, I swear... fan entitlement is one of my ultimate biggest pet peeves, but especially, ESPECIALLY in a case like Ben in DEH... do people honestly not realize how. very. freaking. EXHAUSTING. it must be to pull off that performance even just once, let alone EIGHT TIMES A WEEK FOR A YEAR!?!? It makes me want to curl up into a ball and sleep for days just *watching* what he does up there, let alone having to actually do it that consistently for that long. He throws himself so very deep into that role that it genuinely makes me hope he's being very careful to take care of himself not just physically but mentally as well. Frankly, the fact that he EVER comes to stage door is impressive as all hell to me and a real testament to what a sweetheart he is, that he would take the time to do that for fans despite surely wanting nothing more than to crash for a while and decompress after such a vocally, physically, and uniquely emotionally grueling show.
It just boggles my mind that there are people who actually think it's an actor's job to come out and stagedoor... and the thing is, I don't think being young is too much of an excuse, because I remember even at 13 and 14 years old being well aware of how much of a privilege it was that Broadway actors are kind enough to do that for fans. The ONLY job an actor has is to put on the best performance possible for the audience. That is always what seeing a show should be about: the performance. If the main reason a person is seeing a show that so many others would kill to have the opportunity to see live is to be able to say they met the actor afterward, that's insanely disrespectful and frankly, they shouldn't be seeing it at all. Ben is giving one of the best performances I've ever seen up there, and I cannot even imagine caring more about getting to meet him for a couple seconds than about getting to witness that performance live.
My favorite part of this story was how the WHOLE CAST took to twitter and defended Ben. Kristolyn, Laura, and Jenifer especially. I also love how Ben STILL kept the actual garbage in mind when he wrote out his apology and was STILL kind to someone who wasn't kind to him. STAGE DOOR IS A PRIVILEGE NOT A RIGHT!!!
When you said make friends at the stage door it made me think of my friend who went to NYC on a drama club trip for a week and she ended up seeing the same girl (who was not in her drama club group) at 2 or 3 of stage doors the 6 shows she saw while she was there haha
1. This was a wonderful and important video. I hate that some people don't appreciate the incredible work that actors, actresses, understudies, swings, musicians, and technicians put into every show. It's awesome to see you standing up against that and in support of everyone who works so hard to make the shows amazing.
2. (Completely unrelated) You're so lovely, and your voice is so great?? I don't know how to describe it, but you enunciate very well and your voice is smooth? Sorry, that sounded weird. Anyway, you're a joy and I'm subscribing. #TheatreThursdayFam
Getting signatures from Broadway kids is also super fun!! I got little Anastasia and little Lulu when I was in New York. They got a kick out of my question "Have you ever been on Broadway before?" It gave them a chance to say it was their first time, and they feel awesome about it!! And when they're really little, like Cate (Lulu), you can compliment their handwriting and writing abilities.
+Wynnie M this is LITERALLY the cutest
so helpful! i'm going to see anastasia on sunday, so all these tips are perfect!
So I was in a show where my costume looked a lot like Eliza’s shiny blue dress in Hamilton, and I was allowed to stage door in costume. I wasn’t planning on wearing it since it was like 90 degrees out, but my friend ( who also was in the show) told me that I had a lot of kids at the stage door who were really excited to see my character. Once I came out in costume to say hi, I got mobbed by excited kids who recognized the costume and it was the cutest thing ever☺️