This sounds like a great idea....I am in Melbourne Australia and I went onto the websites of the major productions on here at the moment (Priscilla, Phantom etc) none of them have any contact details though. How did you guys get the email addresses of the SMs/PSMs to ask if you could shadow them?
Thanks!
If I don't know the stage manager I write them letters c/o the theater or show letting them know my interest in shadowing them. If this is something they are able to do at the time then they typically have emailed me and we continue corresponding in that manner to set up a date, etc.
That's what I did also. I provided my contact info in my letter, and I just addressed it:
The Stage Manager
c/o The Name of the Show
The Address of the Theatre
When I got an e-mail back, we worked out dates and other details that way.
Also, I did a touring show (Wicked) and wanted to make sure there was enough time to get a response, so I sent the letter to the city where the show was stopped before it came here. That way, there were more dates open once they responded.
I also know someone who just stopped by the stage door one day after a show, and asked to talk to the SM. This seems a bit bold and unprofessional to me though.