The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-14
A DRAMATIC ACADEMY.

SCHOOL FOR ACTORS 10 BE oRENRD MKT
sEAsoS-PRIzEs, DIPLOMAS AND ExHIBI-
T1oSs-FULL DETAILS OF MRssRs fIsxE
HAWKINS PROJECT.
On the broad piazza OF a villa ut Larchmout Manor
with the bright waters OF the Sound sparkling
close At hand that they seemed 10 be smiling the
BON mot Al which the company at Crumb Cottage
laughing, the HERALD representative found Messrs.
Fiske Harkins the lessees and managers OF the
Fifth Avenue Theatre, whom hs had come 10 ques-
lion in regard 10 the Dramatic Academy school
Actors, which II was runored they intend to open
next season IN connection with their elegant theatre
Larchmont Manor, II should 20 explained, is an
tistic colony upon the Stevens estate about hours
hghtfuly situated on Long Island Sound, and Crumb
Cottage--so called because IL always sure oil a
crumb Of comfort there-is the summer residence OF
Mr. D. b. Harkins, IN the neig hborhood OF which Mr.
and Mrs stephen Fiske, Mr. and Mrs James Lewis,
Mss Sydney CowelL, Miss Lizzie Wealhersby, Mr..
MAI. Goodwin and number Of other professionals are
n present enjoying their otiam much dgaitate
as tho heat OF the weather will permit. Hall the
Film Avenue Theatre firm swung happily In a ham,
mock, the other bah rocked iaz.iy in sturdy
chair. aa .st ~ sa4
THE AcADEM IcAL IDEA
"The Idea of insti,utng school for dramatic art
began one OF the partners, "is not new one but
such excellent opportunity for realizing IL has
never before occurred, and wo have seized upon II
amore The Fifth Avenue Theatre being devoted
during the coming season almost exclusively to
OF acknowledged position anu prestige, who viii APP
pear In plays select I'D by themselves who must
necessarily take great deal OF the work OF prepare
ton rehearsal OF our hands, have had time to
look and II something could not be done
to reconcile the gradual divergence, which every
American stage and the best talent OF the country
Speaking generally we find that there are no young
coming up other in tragedy or comedy
to take the places OF the present masters OF
the profession and resolved, therefore, under
take to educate thsatrcay those OF the young ladies'
and gentlemen .ot America who have inclination
Tor the stage Our idea is 10 open at Fifth Avenue
Theatre dramatic academy, provided with proies.
OF Acknowledged ability, aud 10 attempt train
up actors ana actresses who will become In limo a
credit to their a. and their country"
PUPILS ACADEMY.
In reply 10 The quest,on how pupils for such an
academy were to BE- obtaued, our inierloGuior con-
vd.-'.If could show you The hundreds OF let
ters received by as asking Tor positions Ic
our comp you would read y Understand that there
Is plenty oil raw material Tor the profession Hun
drsds OF young men and women anxious 60
upon the stage, but don't know how 10 got there
Some write that they have playe amateurs others
that they have taken lessons OF this that professor
Of eosution, but tue majority ask us sort Of
Hard times have nothing 10 40 with this supply OF
material Tor nine out OF ton write that they
are willing 10 play without pay if we Will only ave
them chance Piease that point Ncle also that
be judged by their letters the majority
ssss az Inc
ups the stage, aud nero are our managers sending
over to England for actors and actresses The reason
this OF AFFAIRS IL that amateur
professors OF elocuticu are now the ouly sources
through which applicants eau get access evcn
glimpse OF the fo0tights We purpose opening An
easier way, wider door, and testing the question
whether it 10 not possible 70 build up American
dramatic profession without perpetually depending
upon that foreign supply which Is necessarily more
costly and really not ans better than own"
DETAILS or TAX PLAN.
Being requested TO give details oi this academcai
details must be worked out IN practice, but these
pstent actor aud actress Will be engaged 10 take
charge Of pupils and give them regular instruc-
Ss. e.na d rSaS RON pSS or T p
school will " avaliabs Tor tuition. f1ird, the
~ s.scs or rom ON 'no no.e who
portuntties Vi practice Will be afforded qualified
pupils iu regular poriormancsA Fifth, matinee
exhibition viii be given once overy three months,
wbsn legllu,ste play Will be acted by pupils.
Sixth at these exhibitions prizes Will be given Tor
proficiency and diplomas will be- awarded. seventh,
is expected that distinguished citizens viii award
she prizes. ana that course Of tune the diplomas
an,sss Of snacloncy Eighth, there VIII be no
charges Tor tuition ~ this Dramatic Academy,
.,d We believe .ha. the receipts from me
than cover all expenses. Ninth, wo have already
ccived the promises oil very promtnent citizens that
the prizes 10 be awafded shall DO variable works OF
art, to be donated without any cost As S. 900
or 50, 700 year vail more than cover all our other
outlay, aud ~ Tue receipts VI the Tour exhibition
matnees VIII more than cover tnat We think We sec
our way to scf-supportng institution"
oy rnE INSTITUTION.
.sAt any rate !" couttnued other partpor two
arc wiling to make the experiment ths press aud
the pubic Will help IT, here Is nothing 10 be lost,
and VI we can turn out one good actor actress
there viii be great deal gained by the tempt We
have No Utopiae notionf. Perhnps such au institu-
ton might not develop an Edwin Booth or u Mary
Anderson once ia lilo time; but sucn gentuscs Will
lind their way to tie stage anyhow, aud We SHAH
be disappointed II they dont come our way. But II
the public could be assured thut all the miuor
parts OF play would inlellischtly acted
even that would be worth the trouble II
lot OF young people could be cured oil
stage struck tanccs--as they soon would be in the
hard WORK OF our systcm--ihat would Uo worth the