writing to actors/actresses..help needed
writing to actors/actresses..help needed
rayoflight104
Stand-by Joined: 8/15/03
#0writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 12/14/03 at 10:33pm
Anyone got any rough drafts on how they write letters to actors and actresses in the theatre?
For some of them, all i want to do is request a signed photo... What's a nice way to write a letter just asking for that?
Musetta1957
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/03
#1re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 12/14/03 at 10:36pmSay more than, "Hi, I wanna photo."
#2re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 12/14/03 at 10:49pmTell them a little about yourself (not too much- you don't want to bore them)- if you have seen them in something- tell them, and compliment them if you liked them in the show. Ask nicely for the picture- and if you are asking for a picture- send a SASE
Kristie-K
Understudy Joined: 8/1/03
#3re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 12/14/03 at 11:02pmI sent a Birthday Card to Dame Judi Dench and said how much I enjoyed her in Mrs. Brown and that someday I would love to see her on stage.....She sent me a signed picture..I just love that lady.....Her Birthday is Dec 9th and mine is Dec 8th...so I started out 'From one Sag to another"...I know it is corny, but it worked...Good Luck!!!!
#4re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 12/15/03 at 12:19amwhat is a SASE?
You are young, life has been kind to you. You will learn.
#5re: re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 12/15/03 at 12:20amNever mind.... I figured it out. Now I feel dumb.....=(
You are young, life has been kind to you. You will learn.
broadwayguy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
#6re: re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 12/15/03 at 12:21am
Self Addressed stamped envelope
#7re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 12/15/03 at 7:45am
Write no more than two paragraphs and make sure that they appear on one page. (Nobody has time to read through pages of correspondence.)
In the first paragraph tell them why you like them. What you've seen of their work that you're particularly fond of and congratulate them on their current work.
In the second paragraph tell them that you would really like their autograph on a picture.
If possible SEND THEM THE PICTURE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE SIGNED! Photos are expensive - particularly for performers who aren't mega-stars with tons of work (ie MONEY). ALWAYS include a SASE for them to return the picture. By enclosing both of those items, you aren't costing them any more than a couple minutes of their time. Something a real fan should be happy to do!
Be aware that you may not hear anything from them. Or you may hear - but it will come much later than you think. I sent a photo to David Warner when he was appearing in Major Barbara. I told him how much I enjoyed the show and that I didn't want to bother him at the door, but I really would like his autograph on my picture. I sent the photo to him, in care of the theatre, very early in the run. The show completed the limited run (about a month after I sent the photo) and then ANOTHER 2 months passed. I completely wiped it out of my mind. Suddenly there it was on my doorstep! Not only autographed, but with a personal message written on it.
I also sent a picture to Liam Neeson when The Crucible was playing. About 2 weeks later I got my SASE back. The photo I sent was in there - unsigned. But there was also an autographed Playbill in there from the show. So - I was happy! I sent a Playbill to Frank Gorshin when "Say Goodnight Gracie" was on. I got it back in 4 days with a lovely personal message written on it.
I also sent a photo to Bill Pullman at "The Goat" and never got it back at all. I figured he was just not someone who responded to his fans and wrote it off. Later on I actually met him after the show one evening and he couldn't have been nicer. He spent a good 20 minutes chatting with the folks who were there, autographing Playbills, and posing for pictures. So you just never know!
Good luck!
T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house
not a creature was stirring....just me and my mouse.
#8re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 12/15/03 at 10:00am
If you tell the you "admire their work" rather than "you were great", they tend to take you a bit more seriously.
Also remember that they may not always receive what you send. Letters to the bigger stars can go through a gauntlet of security, stage managers, assistant, etc. before ever getting to the actor (sometimes they never do, the assistants will get the signature and mail it back). It could get lost in the shuffle.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#9re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 12/15/03 at 3:34pm
Tell them a little about yourself, your a fan of the show...
and then just ask nicely that you would like an autograph
"Life will be frozen peaches and cream.
Baby, dream Your Dream" ~ SC
#10re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 12/15/03 at 3:52pmBottom line, be yourself and the words will come from the heart. Beware, actors can spot a kiss-up a mile away.
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
SweetQintheLights
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/05
#11re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 6/25/06 at 3:39pm
Ok- I appologize for a bump.
Is there anywhere I can write to John Tartaglia since he isn't currently in a show?
Also, about 5 months ago I wrote to Sutton Foster and sent her a SASE and still have recieved nothing. Should I assume I won't be getting anything?
Also, when I send a SASE, that means I have to send 2 9X11 maniella envelopes- correct?
1 to send with the theatre address on it (with my letter) and then one inside with my address and stamps for them to send the headshot back- correct?
Is there a cheaper way that anyone else does it?
"How bout a little black dress?"~hannahshule
"I have a penis, not a vagina." ~munkustrap178
SweetQintheLights
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/05
#12re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 6/25/06 at 4:19pm
nobody??
Also, what's the website where you to find celeb addresses? I know it's been posted on here but I can't seem to find it.
"How bout a little black dress?"~hannahshule
"I have a penis, not a vagina." ~munkustrap178
#13re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 6/25/06 at 5:16pm
You can look on broadway.com and find the address for people and shows that are on now. If you cant find a address send me the name of the show and theatre and I maybe albe to.
I just sent Daniel Reichard some stuff to sign and I sent a
9x12 envelopes folded in side of a 5x7.
Yesh you send the one addressed to the theatre and inside of the one you send one addressed to you.
I dont think there is a cheaper way, how many stamps do you use when you send something? if I am just send a picture to be autographed and a letter and a SASE I only use two stamps and it gets there ok.
I hoped this helped some.
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#14re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 6/25/06 at 5:21pm
I actually kind of needed a thread like this.
Is there any way to write to Jerry Herman?
#15re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 6/25/06 at 5:28pm
In college - I wrote to Patti LuPone twice (once during Master Class and once during The Old Neighboorhood), and sent in an 8 x 10 to be signed.....along with a SASE. I got both back (rather quickly). Both were signed "For Kristy, Love Patti LuPone".
I also have a great story about writing to Betty Buckley - but that's for another time, another thread.
#16re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 6/25/06 at 5:30pm
I'm sure if you write to Tartaglia care of AVENUE Q they will get it to him.
I've worked as a personal assistant for some actors and have even been hired solely to answer fan mail in some cases. Generally, if an actor has an assistant, you're going to get a quicker response. For some actors, I would just put a pile of pics on their desk with post-its bearing the name of the person asking for the autograph. I would do that about once a week - the actor would just sign them all as directed, and I would do the work of sending them out. Some actors hire a fan mail service - that is a person(s) who works for many actors, just stamping their autographs for them and sending them back out. The actor never sees/touches/signs the item themselves. I have never done that, but you should be aware that it does happen.
A SASE is a necessity. Most actors I've worked for won't respond without one - both they and their assistants are just too busy to worry about stocking 9x12 envelopes and stamps.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
SweetQintheLights
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/05
#17re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:08pm
Rath thank you for your responce.
I've actually written to John Targalia care of Avenue Q and it came back to me with something stamped on it like: No longer resides.
I guess I'll just wait until he's in another show or something.
I'm writing to Adam Pascal and the adress is c/o paradign 500 fifth Avenue 37th Floor New York, NY 10110. I know he moved to California so I'm guessing I won't get anything back but I guess it doesn't hurt to try.
"How bout a little black dress?"~hannahshule
"I have a penis, not a vagina." ~munkustrap178
ashley0139
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/3/05
#18re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:15pm
Write no more than two paragraphs and make sure that they appear on one page.
Oops! Haha. When I wrote Julia Murney, I wrote her like a page. However, I had had a conversation with her a few days before, so maybe it was ok. I did get a personalized picture with a nice letter on the back.
"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife
mijofly19
Broadway Star Joined: 6/14/05
#19re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:33pm
Here is the celebrity fanmail website:
http://www.fanmail.biz/
#20re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 6/25/06 at 7:33pmSweetQ - I wrote to Sutton right before Drowsy previews started and only recently received something back. She takes a while but I believe she still responds.
bwayondabrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/05
#21re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 6/25/06 at 7:50pm
yeah, i've gotten something from Sutton- it only took a month though
and i have plenty of autograph stories to tell too- I wrote to Chita Rivera the first week of December, and 1 month after the show closed in early March or so I got a signed headshot from her :) it felt good
also, i wrote to Caren Lyn Manuel in March after I saw RENT, and she left the show after I had seen it, but I just got a nice signed picture and her solo CD from her in the mail, with a note saying it took awhile for the RENT folks to forward her the stuff- so never give up hope! :)
and for tips on writing letters, i usually write a letter, and draw the person either a cartoon, or a "real" picture- i think people like that, i always get compliments on them. so drawing pictures can help
yeah
:)
bwayondabrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/05
#22re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 6/25/06 at 7:52pm
yeah, i just sent 8 letters out to different people this week
:)
writing a few more to send this week, too...
SweetQintheLights
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/05
#23re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 6/25/06 at 7:56pm
Yea, I'm in the process of writing 4 now.
I have to go to the post office to weigh the envelopes tomorrow.
"How bout a little black dress?"~hannahshule
"I have a penis, not a vagina." ~munkustrap178
bwayondabrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/05
#24re: re: re: re: writing to actors/actresses..help needed
Posted: 6/25/06 at 8:00pm
yeah, i was suprised it only cost me 63 cents to send my big, bulky envelope to New York, which is cool
so im actually going to go write yet ANOTHER letter right now (i've written 2 in the last 24 hours...nothing else to do this summer :) )
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