The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-06
ABOUT CHORUS GIRLS.
Many OF Them Como Out OF "AIost Ex-
ccllcnt Families"

Many OF Them Como Out OF "NIost Ex-
ccllcnt Families"
1t Is mistake to think that the
chorus girls all como from the middle
and lower classes, says comic opera
manager in Kate Fields Washington.
Many of them are of excellent families
and are we'll educated. They become
chorus girls for tho purpose Of ncquir-
ing the rudiments of the profession,
having, of course, n talent for music.
And from the chorus have come many
Of the most prominent stars in comic
opera. l could mention several who are
now singing In principal parts who be-
gun their theatrical careers In tho
chorus. The girls are thoroughly
drilled, and II they have q real talent
for acting it soon becomes known and q
chance is given them to SEQ what they
can show. Tho majority are bright,
and dare say many of them could any
day go creditably through one of the
star" parts If called upon to do 80.
Many who apply for positions ore very
badly stagc-struck. but most of them 90
upon the stage for the purpose of being
sef-supporting. 1t Is generally q mat
ter of necessity. You see, n girl loses
her money, or her parents OF guardian
lose it for her, and she finds that she
must do something to help herself. AL
most every well-cducated girl has some
knowledge of music and. naturally, she
turns to the stage. There are many
such instances that have como within
my own observation, including several
girls from the south of most excellent
family.
The salary OF n chorus girl in New
York is from twelve dollars to twenty
dollars week: on the road from eight
cen dollars to thirty dollars. And the
duties arc not very cXacting, at least as
compared with some other work women
do.
All of their costumes are furnished by
the management and they are required
only to take care of them. beginners
always object to wearing tights, which
of course the chorus must do sooner or
later in comic opera. Applicants as q
rule ask if they must wear tights. When
tell them yes" they reply that they
could never do that and ask if they NAV
not take some position where they will
not be obliged to put on the objcctiona-
bic garments. I always tell them
frankly that I may be able to give them
such positions for short time, but
that, if they remain with us, they will
eventually be compelled to appear in
tights. Sometimes they go away and
give up nll idea of becoming chorus
girls, but moro often they conclude to
try it.
believe the American takes the lead
rs chorus girl. She looks better, is
moro intelligent and understands her
business thoroughly. The matrimonial
chances of these girls are very good. 1
have known many of them to marry,
and marry well. They generally wed
outside the profession and leave the
stage, and fail to see why the chances
OF happiness for q man who marrics a
chorus girl should not be rs good as
those of q man who marries woman
In any other profession, provided he ex-
ercises as much discretion in his choice.
Many of the girls are domestic and
possessed Of considerable taste, which
they display in the decoration of their
rooms when on tho road. They take
out their photographs and l1niclS-lnaclss,
nnd IN n few minutes their rooms look
as though they had occupied them for a
long time. Some of them are careless,
but they arc all good hearted and kind.