West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-07-09
AsouT CHORUS GIRLS.
rEany OF Taen Come Ont OF ..Nost Ex-
ceiicnt Families"

ceicnt Families"
II Is a mistake 10 think that the
chorus girls all come from the middle
and lower classes, says a comic opera
manager I'm Kate Fields Washington.
Many OF them are OF excellent families
and are Wei educated. They become
chorus girls for the purpose OF acauir-
ing the rudimcntS of the profession,
having, OF course, talent for music.
And FROM the chorus have come many
OF the most prom;ncnt stars in comic
opera. ] could mention several who are
now singing In principal parts who be-
gan their theatrical careers in the
chorus. The girls are thoroughly
drilled, and II they have o real talent
for acting IL soon becomes known and n
chance Is given them - see what thcy
can show Tho majority are bright,
and dare say raany OF them could any
day go creditably through one uf the
star" parts il called upon 10 co so.
Many who apply for positions arc very
badly staSo-strucls. but most OF them sro
upon the stage for the purpore of being
sclf-snpporting. II is generally o mat
ter of necessity. You sec, a Girl loses
her money, on her parents or guardian
lose II for her, and she finds that She
must do fonething to help herself Al
most every well-cducatcd girl has some
knowledge OF music and. naturally, she
turns % the stage. There nre many
suca instances that have como within
my own observation, including several
girls from the south CT most excellent
faTrily.
The salary OF chorus girl in New
York is from twelve dollars 20 twenty
dollars y week: on the rond from cisht-
cen dollars 70 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 20 take care OF them. Beginners
always object To wearing tights. which
cf couruc the chorus must do sooner or
later in ccraic opera Applicants 70 n
rule ask II they must wear tights When
tell them yes" they reply that they
couid never do that and nslS II thcyinay
not tckc some position where they win
not be obliged 70 put on the objcctionn-
ble garments. nlways tell them
frankly That may be able TO give them
such positions for short time, but
that, n they rcmain with us, they will
eventually be compelled 20 appear in
tights Sometimes they 90 away and
give M all idea Of becoming chorus
girls, but more often they conclude 20
try It,
believe the American takes the lead
rs q chorus girl. She looks better, Is
more Intelligent and understands her
business thoroughly. The matrimonial
chances Of these girls are very good.
h2vc known many Of them to marry,
aad marry well. They gcncrally wed
outside the profession and leave the
stage, ard fail TO sec why the chances
of happiness for man who rnaiI.ics a
caorus Girl shogld rot bc as rood rs
thosc oil 4 man who rnarl.ics n woman
Ia any other profession, provided he c..-
ercises rs much discretion IN his caoicc
Many Of the girls ARC domestic and
possessed OF considerable taste. which
they display ia the decoration Of their
roorls when on tho road. They take
out thcir photographs and lsaicls-ltnacks,
ard IN a few inmates their rooms look
as though they had occupied them for n
long time. some of them are careless.
but they cre all good hearted and kind.