The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31
HIRING STAGE ROMANS.
The Manner in Which "Supes" Are Selected for
Big Performances.

"Step out all you regulars, and form in
line SO that 1 can pick you for places
was the way in which the stage director
| greeted the supers who, during the per-
formances of Cleopatra" transform them
selves into magistrates, Roman soldiers,
lietors, DICTIONARIES, slaves, etc.
Fully three hundred people had assem-
bled at the stage door in response to an
advertisement that the company would
want fifty men, twenty-five white women,
and ten each of colored men and women.
Although the scenery had just arrived and
everything was in mix the director was
in an exceptionally good humor, and the
people with whom he was dealing looked
upon him more as comedian than an
autocrat behind the curtain.
There We're fully thirty women at the
stage door long before 9 o'clock arrived
and when it was opened, they We're
marched upon the stage, and Mr.. Willard,
the stage director, lined them up and be-
gan to make selections. He looked up and
down the line, and began to scan the ap-
L pearance of each of them, as though he
was buying goods watching race
horse Blondes, brunettes, semi-blondes,
artificial, and all other sorts were mixed
| Unfortunately Some of the women had
| been there before, and then again there
were young girls with whom it was a new
| and a majority were rather pretty.
Come here, you" was the way in which
| the stage director picked out a dizzy
| blonde. you're q slave, don't forget 1t.
The task of selecting the women was
| quickly accomplished, and when the list
| had been completed there yet remained
several who were either too short, too tall,
| or too something, anyway they did not
meet with favor in the critical eye of Mr..
Willard. One little girl in short dresses,
who was trying to be very STACEY" was
instructed by Mr.. Willard ito run home
| or she would be late for school,"
| Some of the women were there simply
because they wanted to appear on the
stage in almost any capacity just so they
were on. Another who had been chosen,
as she was going out, remarked to her
| companion, who had been less fortunate,
| won't 1t be great fun to say that I have
| been on the stage?" The young woman
| who had been left without a place among
| the throng asked Mr.. Willard If she
| might come in with her friend. He de-
| clned to grant her request, and told her
| that the stage would be too crowded. and
| that he would like to have every inch of
available space. The demure-looking lit
tie woman who was selected as one of
Cleopatra's ladies in waiting, was Won
dering, "What Charlie would think if he
| knew she was going on the stage"
With the men it was different. Willard
could jostle them about and tell them ex-
| actly what he thought of some of them.
IL
| five or six were picked out After the
| tallest had been chosen as Roman soldiers
| they were asked their names, which they
| gave to assistant, who wrote them
down, together with the part they were
| to assume for the evening, in order that
| the costumer might have their togas and
| armor ready.
"Say, you third man in the brown coat
what's your manner" asked Mr.. Willard.
'Hays, SIR" was the reply
"SOn of the president? All right, Mr. Shil-
| ver put Mr.. Hayes down as a lictor. Now,
remember, Hayes, you're 1ictor."
| An Immediately dressed man, with a
! beautiful bunch of fiery red whskers was
standing in line. He wore a neat over
coat, his hands were encased in kid gloves,
and altogether he looked very much out
of place. He took a position in the line
so that the few struggling rays of sun
shine that drifted through window gall
lery window might fall upon his face. The
whiskers showed up in great shape, and
every time a. man was selected from near
him, he would change his position and
strike a new pose, hoping to attract the
eye of Mr.. Willard. He was unsuccessful,
and If he wishes to see the performance he
will be compelled to put up his money at
the box-office
Scratch Hayes off as lictor and make
him a magistrate" and even though the
noble Marc Anthony had uttered the COM
mand it could not have been done more
quickly, as with one Stroke of his fountain
pen Mr.. WIZARDS assistant had made the
change
The regulars" meaning those who made
business of "suping," were nearly all
chosen for soldiers because of their pre-
vious experience and knowledge CT march,
ing. A regular always gets sonnet. ing, as
it is an unwritten law that he is to be given
place in order that he may not become
Disguised with the part and quit showing
up.
eyes," said Mr.. Willard, while waiting for
a bunch of new recruits to arrive, 1--WE
often have people come in here and want
to go on simply to avoid paying the price of
admission. Others come simply to get on
the stage, thinking that they are doing
well, no matter how insignificant the part
may be- Others are here simply for what
money there is in it. I often have people
to come in and ask to be given a speaking
part, but, of course, we never do that.
There is a man over there who has been
one of my supers in this town for five years.
I know him, and am sure he will be on
hand whenever we turn up here"
! By this time the colored applicants were