Asking for a headshot (including SASE): Okay or no? One of my friends asked Daphne Rubin-Vega and she sent her one with a note as well. What's the general policy for this?
Leslie Uggams was v. nice when I wrote to her. I didn't ask for a response or anything but she sent me a letter, a signed headshot and she signed a Millie playbill for me. None of which I asked for but it was SO kind of her to do that!
*Don't dream too far, don't lose sight of who you are*
Sutton Foster (letter and headshot) Kerry Butler (letter) Michelle Federer (Letter and photo...not a headshot- a photo) Dequina Moore (loooooong letter) Spencer Kayden (super long letter) Carolee Carmello (letter) Kristin Chenoweth (signed headshot)
My parents also set something up for my Birthday this past year. They sent cards to lots of performers...told them how much I love theatre and such...and asked them to sign the card and send it back (they included a SASE) and told them if they wanted to include anything else- they could...so from that I got cards from:
Sutton Foster (card) Spencer Kayden (card, signed headshot, Urinetown pins and tattoos) Harvey Fierstien (card and signed photo) Kerry Butler (card and signed headshot) Bernadette Peters (card) Marissa Jaret Winokur (card and Hairspray pin) Carolee Carmello (card and signed headshot and signed Urinetown playbill)
I have found that most of the people I have written to write back. A lot of them have given me advice and tips...told me some good colleges to look into. I have gotten some really nice responses.
Lucille Ball not only wrote but called me to say thanks for some things I sent her from her early years in Jamestown, NY. She stayed on the phone and was delightful. In spite of what you may be reading lately, Michael Eisner (not an actor but does host World of Disney) is very much attentive to letters and might just email you, if you send an email address. Michael Ball sent me a lovely letter while he was here in Aspects of Love. Hunter Foster and the entire cast of Little Shop are very pleasant when you meet them at the stage door.
I would think how you address the actor depends on the tone of your note. Dear Mr. Pascal, I am TOTALLY in LOVE with you probably wouldnt flow too well...
Haha... I remember the first time I wrote to Emily... six years ago... I wrote, "Hey Emily!" As a response she addressed it, "My sweet girl!" I had met her before I wrote her, though...
Although, knowing me I probably would have adress anyone by their first name and with a possible 'hey' instead of 'dear'. I was a naive 14 year old... ah, the good old days. Good thing Emily is the only performer I've ever written to. LOL.
If I were to address a fan letter today to someone I have never met or maybe have met only once, I would address it, "Dear Ms./Mr. So and So." :)
"You! You are the worst thing to happen to musical theatre since Andrew Lloyd Webber! And you, well, I just plain don't like you."
~Stewart Gilligan Griffin
The people who I have writen to and have wrote back to me Jennifer Gambatese Kerry Butler Suton Foster Douglass Sills Hollie Howard Tracy Jai Edwards Rob Bartlett Harvey Spencer Kaydince
Grace: My love for you is like this scar (points to elbow) ulgy but permanent!
All depends on when you reach them - or if your letter actually does get to them and gets read.
For example, someone mentioned a signed playbill from Joel Grey, while I've heard from fans who have written him many letters and never heard back anything.
Some are better in person (Sebastian Arcelus of Rent is probably the best person around with face-to-face meetings with fans but he is reportedly not the best of letter writers).
When I was a kid, I never remember ever getting a response to a fan letter (and I was in the business)...so the performers now-a-days seem to be much friendlier and more responsive to the fans. And they are exceptionally good meeting fans in person (hear that, MISS MERMAN????)
i have it on good authority that adam pascal responds really well to letters that begin, "greetings aryan posterboy."
r.i.p. marco, my guardian angel.
...global warming can manifest itself as heat, cool, precipitation, storms, drought, wind, or any other phenomenon, much like a shapeshifter. -- jim geraghty
pray to st. jude
i'm a sonic reducer
he was the gimmicky sort
fenchurch=mejusthavingfun=magwildwood=mmousefan=bkcollector=bradmajors=somethingtotalkabout: the fenchurch mpd collective
I haven't written to any actors in quite a while, but those that I have written to have always sent back nice, long, and helpful responses.
I started letter writing when Titanic was on Broadway, way back when I'd just turned the tender age of 13. That was the first show I'd seen multiple times, and the first show where I actually got to know the cast. Vicki Clark, who became my mentor through that show, was the first actress I ever really wrote a letter to, and she responded back with Titanic stationery and a small, personalized headshot. Of course, that first letter turned into many more letters and cards, and no matter what I asked her, she always returned with a quick response. So, when Light in the Piazza comes and y'all wonder if Vicki is good with mail and writing fabulous responses (because after you see her in this show, you'll definitely want to know :) ), the answer is yes.
When Into the Woods was running, I wrote to both Kerry O'Malley and Linda Mugleston, both of whom gave such wonderful performances and truly inspired me. Kerry wrote back a fabulous letter that answered all my questions and ended with some of the smartest advice I've ever received, and Linda wrote an equally fabulous and insightful e-mail (because now when I write actors I usually leave my e-mail address at the bottom of the letter--that way they don't have to go crazy with snail mail) about what it's like to be an understudy.
I've also written to Mary Testa (during On the Town wayyyy back when; she sent a nice letter), Melissa Errico (during High Society; she sent back a little card and promised to answer all of my questions in a bigger letter, but she never did), Daniel McDonald (also during High Society; he sent me an adorable headshot that I still look at and admire), Liz Callaway (wayyyyyyyyy back when; she sent me a short but sweet letter on her stationery), Carolee Carmello (during Parade; she sent me a lovely card and answered all of my questions), and Michele Pawk (I actually left her a short note with my playbill after Seussical when Rosie was in the show and she didn't come outside; she was so sweet and sent me back my playbill, even though I didn't leave a SASE, and a wonderful letter on the back of a piece of the script). Those are the ones I can remember off the top of my head. As long as you write or ask something that truly comes from YOU, they will send you something that truly comes from THEM and that you will value forever.
When I was reaaaaally little I had written to a bunch of old movie actors. I got back several responses (I was soooo little... it's a good thing these people have been my grandparents and thought I was cute... lol). The one person who never wrote me back was Debbie Reynolds and that really upset me. LOL. Years later I learned that when I had sent her the letter, her casino had already closed... so, that made me feel slightly better. I assume she never got the letter.
"You! You are the worst thing to happen to musical theatre since Andrew Lloyd Webber! And you, well, I just plain don't like you."
~Stewart Gilligan Griffin