Who else hates meeting actors at stage doors?

Question

Whenever I visit New York with my friends, they always want to, but I find it so... awkward. It breaks the illusion of the show, which I'd rather enjoy for a little while longer. I prefer never to meet my heroes, so I can go on thinking of them as gods and keeping them remote on a pedestal. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

While not an actor myself I know the behavior you are referring to. I was in the technical end of that industry for awhile and I will tell you that most professional actor will be nice about such encounters but the truth is that most actors also prefer not to have those encounters.

You see from their perspective they have just completed their job by finishing the performance as rehearsed and directed. The time between or after a performance is their off-time, and having someone want to meet you after the show puts them in the position of effectively working while off the clock.

They have to project a certain image during these encounters because you just paid to see the performance and their behavior reflects upon both them and the show.  

Undoubtedly you will tell your friends about the show and if you liked it or not. Now if an actor is rude to a patron or blows them off for whatever reason that colors your memories of the evening and will result in a less positive word of mouth review of the show which in turn may get fewer people to come to the show. Which will ultimately shorten the performance run, and their by shorten the time for which they have a job.

So you see they will grin and bear it becuase it is a matter of survival.

Answer 2

i prefer to meet and talk to the actors in a show after i've seen it.

as an actor, i appreciate the words of encouragement when i talk to people after a performance.

and i don't like to think of anyone on a pedestal.

it's a hard place to be.

i tend to think of actors as people with quirks and problems just like my own so that when i do meet them [and it's rare, but it's happened] i don't lose my head and behave like an idiot.

so while i understand what you're saying and where you're coming from, i can say that i disagree.

:]