The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-04-01
AN ACTOR OF EXPERIENCE
Gives Bis Views Of the PrOfession-staes
Fright-SociaI Life-salaries.

Gives Bis Views Of the Professionalism
Fright-sociaI IAfe-salaries.
New York Graphic Interview
Il may be very conservative in my no
tons as TO how man or woman should
enter the profession; but in spite of
schools, lessons or coaching 1t Is the same
opinion with experienced actors that a be-
ginner must begin on the stage itself, with
all its surroundings as they are-at the
bottom Of the ladder. There have been OF
course some exceptional cases, but they
are indeed very rare. Why, my dear sir,
could name some actors who are on the
stage now who had neither money nor
time 70 waste, thus began the profession
By going on as supers, for By this means
they got used TO facing an audience, and
could see the curious methods adopted by
old stagers.
sWhat Is the feeling a man experiences
when he first speaks before an audience?"
Were you ever seasick2 Well, If you
remember that sensation, Just before you
are absolutely i'll, you may form some
idea of the fear that comes over the aver
age actor on his first appearance before
any audience. There's the same cold per-
SEPARATION, the mist before the sight, the
same parched lips and tongue, the sinking
feeling In the breast and palpitating
heart Some Of course suffer more than
others. 1t Is called stage fright, and
tuSTG6 uuhuy ulau anu WOu1du luAt
could not go through the same ordeal
second time. It's all very well for a
young man to recite before his friends or
play at any amateur entertainment; but
when he comes before a large assembly
of people who have paid their admission
fee TO be entertained, with all the glare,
glitter and hustle of genuine show life
around him, it's a vastly different mat
ter. What may appear strange to you is
fhia--fhQf q F11I0 OlaUG better
when he Is slightly nervous-not about
the audience, but his lines. It is perhaps
better explained by anxiety as to whether
he Is correct, and the very doubt he has
about it throws a degree Of fire into his
acting.
"What about the actors social lfe?"
asked the Journalist.
swell, save those few engaged at the
houses that have a stock company, they
have no social comfort, or at least during
the season. The majority of Thespians
sigh for it. They go from railroad car to
hotel, from hotel to theatre, and so on.
You cannot form any conception of how
3 man or woman feels when they arrive in
some town at say 5 in the afternoon.
This Is barely time to bolt some supper
when they have to hurry off to the theatre
perhaps strange one to them-dress
and go on. Then perhaps the train takes
them away to the next stand at midnight
70 say 0Obn1pg OF W1nGry -WeaLner, 40e
only time they get is on Sunday, if they
happen to be staying in town on that day.
then the want of a home is impressed
upon their minds. "
But they receive good pay during the
season, suggested the reporter.
That's another exaggerated idea, "
avowed thel actor, with grave shake Of
bis head. SIN the first place actors do
bot In very many cases receive the salaries
put down to them by many newspapers
and general gossip. Then you must bear
In mind that half the year they are idle.
There Is always something to buy for
every piece or something to replace For
instance, If an actor is playing in piece
that requires every day clothing nothing
Is found by the managers, and if it's
fancy dress piece there are tights, feath-
ers, shoes, wigs, and other things he has
30 dnd, or if you have to travel there are
dozens Of ways for the money to go, the
details of which cannot always be ac-
counted for. Yet for all it is mistake
10 suppose that actors are very improvi
dent class. A great number have money,
and there is very good plan they now
adopt to place their earnings in safe keep
Ing while on their travels-that is, on
treasury day. after keeping what they
might need for running expenses, they
get post order for the balance payable
80 themselves, If they have no family, in
New York city, or any other place they
may think of making for when the sea-
aon Is over