Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-23
GERMAN DRAMATIC SOCIETY
The Anniversary Of the Tenth Year of This
Organization.
A Useful Career which Has Been
Marked byT Steady Development
Sketch 81 the Society.

The German Dramatic Society celebrates
the tenth anniversary of It's organization
during the present month. In 1885 about
dozen amateur actors assembled at the
residence of Mrs. Emma Poesche, with the
intention OF forming a club. the object Of
which was to, promote the German Ian
guage in this city Those present had play
ed In one Of Mrs. Poesche's comedies for
the benefit of the German Orphan Asylum.
The election of officers resulted In the
choice of the following: Mrs. Poesche,
president; st. Buinitzky. vice president;
w. Feldhaus. treasurer; Mrs. A. Schoeneck-
er, secretary, and Miss Rosa Poesche, IL
brartan. The names of the original MEM
bers were: Tn. Friebus, j., A. Lepper. J.
Maedel, Mrs. Bertha Caron, Miss Auguste
Donch and Miss H. Scholer.
In the beginning the society met at the
bership gradually increased Soon the want
or a stage was felt, and portable plat
FORM was Iut up in a large school room
on 12th street. the HEADQUARTERS of the
society. The growth of the "Gesellschaft'
advanced In normal manner from dra-
matte reading to acting in costume. The
ladies' being In the majority from the be-
ginning. the male characters were repre-
sented by the ladies. But talented men be-
came soon interested and were enrolled as
members.
From the primitive platform in q school
room to the stage, with fcotlights, at Will
lard Hail. various changes had to be gone
through, occupying a period of some hve
years. The society first moved to the
rooms on f2th near L street. and took the
platform along, but when in the following
year they occupied the double parlors with
carpeted floors in the studio Of Miss Ran
som on F street, the platform had to be
exiled to Mrs. poesche's woodshed. Anoth-
er studio was chosen next year In the Sun
building, where. indeed, the hoor was
bare, but the platform was prohibited.
Finally stage was secured with some
genuine style of the old fatherland, and
Carroll Institute became very popular
place OF amusement among the Germans
and their Invited guests.
A Wider Field.
Among the plays successfully staged by
the Gesellschaft were 'Medea," Hero and
Leander,'' 'Ingomar" and king Rene's
Daughter" Light comedy always held its
own in favor of the club, and innumerable
short, sprightly plays have been produced.
proving a never-failing source of amuse
ment.
new era began in Willard Hall In 1890.
The quiet and earnest work. aiming at
artistic improvement, had soon the atten-
ton of the English press and spurred the
club members to renewed efforts. Large
and appreciative audiences attended, and
nights were arranged on the occasion of
anniversaries of celebrated poets, COM
posers and dramatists, such as Grillparzer.
koerner and wagner. when some of the
well-known local musicians participated.
Celebrated dramas were performed-"Sap
pho." Mary Stuart Jane Eyre" Anna
Lise" and numerous selected comedies,
also scenes from Shakespeare. Frank
Claudy and Miss Anita Schade and other
members have furnished TRANSACTIONS of
English plays. while Mrs. Poesche has
ed Tn
1892, when the club was in very pros
porous condition. Mrs. POesche's health
failed and she had to give up her office Of
president. Frank Claudy was elected in
her place, Mrs, Poesche being made hon.
orary president. For two seasons Mr..
Claudy faithfully served the club. until
Illness in his family obliged him to resign.
Last autumn Mrs. Poesche consented tc
resume her duties rs active president.
Liberal Entertainers.
The German Dramatic Society has prac-
ticed a very liberal hospitality from the
beginning. and furnished thousands of
guests with entertainment. Among the ac-
tors who have taken part this season are
Miss Anita Hendrie, in emotional work:
Miss Anita Schade, Miss B. Lutz. Miss
Bessie Stierlin and Mrs. Watkins. who
have played leading parts, while the SOU
brette parts have been taken by Miss A.
Rettte. Miss c. Ulke and Miss H. Herzog;
MISS 1toSd IOeScnc anu MISS NduQ Stdnl-
packer have played the heavy parts, and
Mrs. A. Schoenecker and Miss A. Bur-
chard character parts In juvenile parts
Harry Rothschild. Harry Wilkins, F.. w.
Myers and c. Droop have appeared. In
character parts. J. Colignon, F. Eschrich,
F. Struck, C. Hoffman, E. Bcelter, E.
Tracy and w. Hannemann, and in comedy,
w. H. Conley, F. Altrup and H. Schade
The officers of the society are Mrs Emma
Poesche, president; Mr.. r. c.. de Grain,
vice president; G. W. Spier, treasurer; Miss
Anita Schade. librarian, and Mrs. Bertha