St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-04-21

fSSti5c VI IdieHt W SO upon Tic StdSc
1t looks as though such friends had a
grudge against the aspirants.
All the year around the managers of
the local theaters are besieged by ap-
plicants who desire to become actors
and actresses. The female sex fur
nishes the greater number of victims
of this ambition, though the masculine
variety is by no means scarce. 1t is
but natural that woman should be in
the majority in seeking such employ
ment, for the stage is enc of the very
few vocations which offers her an
equal chance with man. In fact the
possibilities of a theatrical career are
even greater for woman, for not only
is the actress paid fully as large sal
airy as the actor for work of equal i'm
portance, but should she rise to the
pinnacle of greatness. the public will
pay more to see her than to behold
an equally illustriouS actor, conse-
Quently her salary is proportionately
greater. No male singer ever received
the financial compensation of Patti
and 1t is equally true that the greatest
actor could never command the figure
that Bernhard does.
that a stock company was about to
play season at the Grand opera house
acted upon the stage-struck ladies and
gentlemen of ST. Paul like the adj
vent of spring upon the song birds.
They have simply flocked around the
theater ever since. Their objective
point is the up stairs office of Manager
Kingsburyl When Mr. Kingsbury
hears a tapping as Of some one
gently rapping' upon his office door,
he is prepared for what is to follow.
1t is either a would-be actress or
lady who wants pass to the show"
In these days it is usually the former
In response to the invitation to come
in the door opens slowly, and
WITH TIMID STEP
in walks the aspirant. She is some
times fair and sometimes dark, fire.
quently pretty, usually little eccen-
trio, but invariably ill at ease. She
is at loss to begin. Invited to take
seat. she hesitatingly accepts, but
the chair apparently affords no re-
lief, for she twists about uneasily and
looks troubled. The manager knows
what she wants. but nevertheless he
inquiries:
What can l do for you?"
one either coiors to the roots of her
nair or grows pale with nervousness.
as she stammers: IL wanted to
ask you something about-about the
Well, that is. I-er-Oh, / am afraid
you Will think it very foolish of me
but"
Not at all, interrupts the manager.
considerably coming to the rescue.
You needn't feel any hesitation in
telling me what you want"
We'll, then" continues the vouoe
woman. somewhat treasured. 81
wanted to ask you about the stock
company"
. YES" assents the manager with
rising infection on the latter half of
the syllable. What about the stock
company
Again embarrassment deprives the
poor girl of the power of speech. but
aiter swallowing it. she manages to
say: "
i didn't know but there might he
chahce for me to get position in the
company. L have been studying eIo-
cution and dramatic art for quite
long while, and I do"-and here her
voice quayers with a touch of emotion
i do SO want to learn to act"
And thus she let's out the secret of
her heart.
But do not fancy that the dear
creatures are all as earnest and
modest as this one The soubrette
variety is quite different. The girl
with the song and dance propensities
wears nuffier gowns, and fiuffier hair.
her bearing is less sedate, for she
trips into the office and with a lumi-
nous smile asks of she has the pleas
ure OF addressing Mr.. Kingsbury.
assured that she has, for Mr.. Kings
bury knows that it is ION the square"
pleasure to her, she sits down and
eventually makes known her desire.
But like the modest girl, she is ex-
tremely diffident about coming to the
point.
What can you do?" asked the man.
ager, after the ice is broken.
"Oh, most anything" is the COM
prehensive and confident reply. J
can sing and dance, and / can play
serious parts too, If you haven't any
thing else for me-"
What companies have you been
within
why, I've played with the J. T.
Arlington Comedy-Drama company.
and L once played Lady Isabel, in
East Lynne"
Indeed, well, you must be quite YER
satile.''
Eyes, I think I am. I know my
friends have told me SO, and they are
all the while advising me to go upon
the stage
Then Mr.. Kingsbury brings the in
terview to a close in the regular man
ner, by writing the name and address
of the young lady in a memorandum
book, and promising to let her hear
from him if anything
SHOULD TURN UP.
But this young woman is not so
primitive in her conception of the re-
quirements of the stage as many Of
her sister aspirants. Here is a spec
linen of one of them:
She is dashing woman, with a hand
some figure. She enters the manager
Office with more confident step than
the woman who thinks she was born
to play Juliet. After informing the
manager that she would very much
like to secure a position in the stock
company, she is asked what sort of
parts she would expect to play, and she
says:
I'm not particular, SO long as 1 get
upon the stage. don't know whether
1 have any ability or not, but my
friends say I'm very clever and ought
to go on the stage"
'.But how do you know you can play
anything, if you never ,tried?"
"Weil, L don't know: but I think ]
would get along all right, because
well, I might as well be frank with
you-because have good figure. ]
have seen lots of women on the stage
who. were successful just on account
Of their shapes, for they couldn't act
a little bit. Maybe you don't think I've
got good form. I'll just"