Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-26
AMATEUR THEATRICAL
Lot of the Stage Manager is Not Happy
One
Difference In Men and Women About
Learning Their Lines-ImpOrtnnce
of q Property Man.
Written Exclusively for The Evening Star.

Written Exclusively for The Evening Star.
There Is no more absorbing amusement
than amateur theatricals. 1t is delightful
for those in the audience, because they en-
Joy a form Of entertainment that Is not
frequent enough to become hackneyed, II
requires no exertion from them, and they
have the intense interest of watching new
developments in the abilities OF their
friends. Indeed, a dramatic talent comes
to light sometimes in the least promising
quarters. The man with a natural gravity
of demeanor will show a surprising faculty
for low comedy; the quiet, reserved GIRL
distinguished in society for her repose OF
manner INDUCES in the most animated ac-
ton before the footlights.
For the performers 1t Is one continued
frolic from the selection of the play to the
sal to the moment when they step down
from the stage among their friends, Win
all the glory of histrionic stars and IN
all the bewitching becomingness OF the
atric 'make-up.
But for the stage manager, If he, too, is
an amateur, where shall we find commits
Grafton enough? At the outset he gets the
enmity of the most passe woman in the
dramatic association for not selecting ner
to be ingenue or heroine. Again. no woman
wants a character part, in spite or the
fact, patent to everybody but herself. that
mimicry is her only forte; everybody
wants. first and foremost, to look pretty.
If the managers constitution withstands
the strain of casting the play and he sur
wives to superintend the rehearsals, ne
will find that then his difficulties with the
what parts are given them-is this an in
dication that men are less vain than
women?-but they will neglect to learn
their lines continually Offering the eX-
t1,a ylayy
comes OFF, This invariable experience in
amateur theatricals may be an indication
that men, If less vain, are naturally less
considerate than women, for the latter
nearly always make an effort to have their
parts letter perfect from the first, and,
therefore, have to go through very long,
tedious rehearsals, which might be avoided
if men, aiso would study the words.
Another trial to the stage manager comes
by way of enforcing the rule, when one
actor is speaking or doing important busl-
ness the others must not move about In
purposeless way or try in any manner TO
attract the attention of the audience" The
comic man. Is apt to be very trouble
some in this respect. Moreover, it is al
most impossible to secure full attend
ance at rehearsalS. Invitations to dinners
and other entertainments will be accepted
quite regardless of ths rehearsal appoint
ment, because it is not considered u bust
ness appointment, merely one of those I'M
important things that can be done at any
time and at any time given the slip. Yet
these needless persons would feel griev-
ously injured If they were asked to give up
their parts.
1t seems to be the general belief among
the company that the play will go on
somehow" that the stimulation of the
glare OF the tootlights, the exhilarat1ng
strains of the orchestra and the salFos OF
applause will inspire everybody to dash
through it in a perfectly successful man
ler. Amateurs do not realize the labor
that is required of professionals when
play Is made ready for the public. with
them the power of the stage manager is
absolute; he has command of even the NIL
nor details and the leading lady" would
not dare say to him, Il know best. The
rehearsals for new play are continuous
for several weeks, sometimes lasting from
afternoon to the wee morning hours, and
an absence from any rehearsal is an Of
tense that brings a prompt dismissal as It's
punishment. Another little point Of rigid
professional etiquette which 1t might be
we'll for amateurs to underStand-however
becoming your roseate cheeks and elongat-
ed eyes-never appear after the play with
the slightest trace Of stage makeup left
on your face.
A very important member of theatri-
cal company Is the property manager.
The services of one OF the club. either
a man or woman, should be secured, to
be responsible for all the numberless lit
tie things that are required in every play
the letters, the pens and the Ink, the
screen. the easel, the call-bell-and see that
they are ready at the right moment. Then
there will be no little endorsements,
such as these, which I recall from my
personal observation. Curtain rises on
breakfast room scene; husband and wife
seated at table; coffee urn on hand, also
dishes and silver, but not scrap Of break
fast, not even a roll. Again, stage set by
the performers, who have sent from their
own homes their prettiest chairs. Cur
tain rises a room furnished entirely with
rocking chairs-fancy rocking chair on
q professional stage-consequently the
dramatis personnae unconsciously rock
throughout the sceneI
If in the amateur dramatic club there
is one male member that has robust con-
stitution, good digestion, untiring en-
ergy q strong mind, a sanguine nature, a
sweet temper, boundless tact. and no
nerves-he should be elected stage man
ager, and the play will swim, even through
many tribulations. But If this ideal per-
son is not forthcoming, 1t would be well to
secure a professional actor, some one that
is out of an engagement and willing to
undertake the task for a moderate price;
in any case, this plan would be, by far,
the best If the expense can be met Anna
teur coaches may do very well, OF course;
but any one that has been on the profess
sional stage though for a very short time,
knows the rules of crosses, situations, ex-
its, entrances-the whole business-better
than the cleverest amateur.