New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-01
JEWELLERS IN STAGELAND.
SOME CANDID OPINIONS ABOUT THE
LIFE OF THE GRDENROOM.
MINNIE MADDERN FIsKE ENCOURAGES GENIUS.
But SAYS THAT THE MEDIOCRE ONLY
HELP TO SWELL THE WAIT
ING MULTITUDE.

But SAYS THAT THE MEDIOCRE ONLY
HELP TO SWELL THE WAIT
ING MULTITUDE
| "Apropos OF The Trbune's discussion OF liveli-
hoods for graduates" said Mrs Minnie Madeira
Fiske II would say that the stage should. OF all
things be the last OF any young woman who
simply wishes 10 bread. young woman
may, with legitimate hope study medicine den
tistry architecture any OF the professions into
which woman has successfully been introduced
with the bread winning idea. and with expec-
tatio1 Of distinction; but the theatre presents df-
ferent aspect. Success in any phase of art neces-
sarily implies special aptitude In the student.
Who would recommend painting music a spe-
cial vocation to young woman who did not dis
close n natural bent for either?
There is nothing in the theatre TO encourage a
woman who has not natural qualifications for IT.
Genius Is welcomed on the stage when 1t has mani
Tested Itself but genius must be ever alert.
ever industrious Talent too is welcomed bu,
often 1t has to wait long for It's best opportunities.
There Is no place In the theatre for medocrity.
The mediocre already crowd 1t. and stand waiting
In multitude outside. In other professions. when
the student has qualified, she may much easier
make beginning The painter may produce tho
physician practice no matter how humby at first.
and In the other professions n skill that has devel
| oped under professional eyes will generally find
! employment
"lnfatuation for the stage is widespread. Many
! young women Of education conscious mainly Of
merely physical fitness aspire the theatre
! There is. Of course dema1 for simple beauty on
! the stage, but it relates to minor places or TO
/ ephemeral vehicles. ard promises nothing for the
/ future. on tho contrary, the future is distinctly
dscouraging to H. for when beauty is gone and the
woman has nothing else to commend her she joins
! the multitude Of the unemployed.
"A young woman with marked appetite for the
| al dpde obi ~ In rod
| to professional notice. Good amateur work gener
ally attracts attention. While dramatic schools
lack. from the nature Of acting these methods that
necessary in schools thai deal with exact prin-
cples, they are undoubtedly beneficial 10 pupils.
| They are generally conducted. | understand by
principals-some Of them actors Of experi.nce-who
discriminate as TO their pupils. They do not under
take to instruct those who show fitness for dra-
matte work. and their graduates. when worthy.
| have opportunity TO find engagements. as
they show what they do at special perform
ances which managers attend. Many young women
no doubt have been rebuffed by managers TO whom
they have applied FOR a trial engagement. This Is
10 be expected because the offices Of managers are
beseged by aspirants for whom there is possible
opportunity.
II believe the people OF the stage moral as
those in any other walk Of life. Morality Is mat
ter Of individuality. Rectitude may be preserved In
! the theatre as In other places. The life OF the
settled in homes. Constant travel under trying
conditions does not ccnduce to happiness or sweet
ness OF temper. but the woman who respects her
self and who has the character and the we'll
directed ambition that would assist her 10 success
in other fields where hard work is essential may
survive all the hardshlps and the so-caed tempta-
tons OF the theatre.
This as a whole. you may say. presents dis
| couraging prospect to the June young woman
! who is seeking vocation. and whose eyes, per-
haps are turned with more or less longing to the
stage The truth will not discourage or In any
| way affect the one who Is determined TO be an
| actress. and who has IN her the ability TO become
one But there IS dlscoIraging feature OF stage
to conditions which may be transItoTy. but at the
moment they seriously embarrass all matured al;
I'm the theatre OF this country and tend 10 stne az
in embryo. The stage OF America IS contro,Ied
already worked disaster and that promises an ahso,
utc saguation Of art This Influence Is evil amu
lam Winter writing OF this influence, has said:
! Tho stage eXerts great influence upon society,L
almost great as mat Of Inc and rIt 6Gh
to be free from every form OF tyranny and to u, be
most intellectual spirit. as an educational force
DRAMATIC TRAINING IN COLLEGE.
~ there are more women than before.
| there are more professions open 10 them, said a
| Vassar graduate, who has made success OF her
chosen profession TO Tribune reporter yesterday.
/ 81 became an actress because had dramatic tall
I ont and because | knew that my education would
be- a great help 10 me In reaching the coveted
| goal - ... .,.. .
/ colleges include professional actress ne ampl-
ton of Undergraduates with longlngs for the stage
lind an outlet these days In the various cluos de-
voted 10 his,rionic art IN when an ,he moien :
colleges abound. not only In the port.aSa' S oi
costirine are ingenuity and keen dramatic IN
stincf di4ccrnihe but the constructive faculty Is
| which students adapt plays frequently producing
original dramas worthy OF PUBIC rena'1l,, II
Radcliffe or Bryn Mawr girl may yet produce the
long-cxpcc,ed American drama ,.,.n. rr.sor,.d
In Vassar's tentative days FRIEND presenter
| the dramatic society with i've sets OF scenery.
Win this nucleus the properties have grown bst gn-
/ cnuinnod than many professional companies II
c@nfincs itself chiefly 20 modern plays ,.. -
egm drama perhaps than at any 9,ne Oldest So
eE 1t has fogr ths shakespeare
being branch q the London soce ty-a Every
'"Whlle dramatic performances are not encouraged
M Rryn Mawr. two three plays are given an
nuay n the ma IN orgna The oilers Of
Radcliffe are wont to give drama every three
wsoks As FUN is the object OF the club, travesty
he colleges have given Greek plays. some e ss!
n he orisnai Greek arrested the attention OF the
collegiate world Since the days OF Sophocies IL Is
selling Of a creek play than Antigone given
several years ago at Nassar feriec' Ia us ,b NM
a. 81 aet was then turned over Professor Frank
| lin sargent director of tho American Academy OF
! Dramatic Arts ., a. ,h. rahoarsais
progressed the triumph OF mind over matter.
! said Professor Sargent. IN speaking OF me euuGa
fiona BENEFITS to be derived from the training In
volved In Greek play AT FIRST the most st taSe
| nj Girl I'm the parlor awkward on tne sNSe
pm, their finely disciplined minds soon yielded IKE
| plastic clay. They grasped every suggestion anu
| rresnonded effectively When returned 70 my
| school made up largely Of ndinerently educa.su
| material was struck with the difference ana the
mnhiIl work OF imparting dramatic training to the
| undlscipned mind
CU1yDpFN AID IN RELIEF WORK.