New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-02
SIXTY YEARS ON THE STAGE.
MRS. w. G. JONES BEGAN ACTING WHEN
VAN buren, WAS PRESIDENT.
SHE GIVES "REMINISCENCES. AND ADDS SOME AD-
VICE For THE WOMEN WHO HOPE TO
SUCCEED IN Tho SAME WORK.

VICE For THE WOMEN WHO HOPE TO
SUCCEED IN THE SAME WORK.
Because It is thought, that my long career as an
actress has fitted to give advice to the aspirant
to histrionic honors I have been asked 10 give
my opinion how a young woman wishing 70
20 on the stage should prepare herself for II.
1t IL now sixty years since ! played my hrst
part and have met and known--well. all the
members Of the profession who have been heard
In this country In my day. Two generations is
long time to look back. and yet can remember
distinctly my childish feelings when. ut eight years
of age stepped upon tho boards in the character
OF the child Rose in The Gamblers Fate iha'
is a play which, like many good ones. has not sur
vived its period OF production
The beginner OF to-day. with a confidence won
during her training At the dramatic school, ana
her general knowledge Of the world and OF events
gained BY the unavoidable meeting and clashihs
Of many personalities in the busy city me- wouiu
feel that The Gamblers Fate was an impossipie
piece even 10 begin with But 1t Is not so much
that the standard of excellence In the Drama IS
raised to higher point as that the stanoar"
is different.
Thus in giving advice to youns people OF to-u"s
| I can only say what seems TO to be the proper
course to take. but this course is not one nave
| taken cannot vouch for It's entire excellence
In my youth schools OF acting were unhearo o.
nor were they necessary. Members OF the preSen .
| day dramatic schools, and all the young recruits
! In the profession. declare that candidates io' ,'
| stage ought to study under a definite curriculum
| lust as they would do for any other proieSsoh'
| but should Tx. TO tell what was done peiore
| there were dramatic schools where ins"uo'o''
could be had and how the actors and actresses III
| those DAYS prepared themselves for their Gaining
| To begin with formerly people did not take up
| the profession generally as they 90 now i"o
| who adopted 1t were for the most part Dol" "
II: their parents or relatives had been actors Oh
/ for
They were thus in a manner educated from pr'n
| 70 the technicalites Of the profession; thev "e'e
| from, babyhood before the footNShts' they ''''-
| bibed the jargon OF the stage anu '"e! ,
| illusions about 1t to overcome. great oea ~
time was therefore saved In teaching what 'he
| ,vao,, ~ .ro dramatic school must learn through
| Drocont rather than example and experience IN
| every -day life , 49,, ,-,
-1f In addition 10 this kind of training. the girl
| had genuine talent. was possessed OF gooa ,ol.o
| and a dramatic manner. she would readiiy irhi,a.e
! The best she heard and saw, ana Wou'u CUBIC i''"
| especial notice at an early date .
| Rcsides all this the stock companies useo ~
carry on an even succession OF plays ana AeeP
! :heir members employed the year round whereas
| now unless a play has phenoinenaiiy long run,
| the company composing the cast Is olspahoeu
| when that play is taken off, So that an actress
! season" may be months or weeks according 10
the success OF the play, but she is ho' ehpioyeu
| on a yearly salary unless she is member OF a
| stock company which VIII go on the foau "'~''
| the city season is over
SOMETHING ABOUT SALARIES
rrro salaries in a certain way better than
| they were In the old days The rate by the week
| or season is higher, but the expenses attached 10
| tho career are so much greater that the gam Is
| not commensurate. . c...
! Nv frs. appearance was at the old Walnut street
| Theatre In Philadelphia. where my rather was io
| wears engaged in the orchestra. and where knew
| ~ no
| strange or frightened. Indeed, the old STOCK com
| many people were always like great FAMILY nhe
| brothers and sisters together, and rejoced with
| each other in veal or mourned with each o'hef III
woe 1t was the same everywhere.
| was for twenty-five years the leading iaoy
a. the Bowery Theatre, playing at both the oid
| Bowery and at the New Bowery. until IL was
| burned and spent many happy times beiore 'he
| lights and behind the scenes In both houses.
HOW GIRL MAY BEGIN.
| As to the nrst steps for wouid-oe actress ~
| take. think that in these times she cannot uo
| better II she has had no childish trainins' sum
| asI have spoken OF. than to attend dramatic
| so,ool ~ course she will not do this much
| unless she has shown some decided taste ana apt
| ness for acting II she has had really good anna
teur experience she would do better to join at once
good stock company. for nothing Is so soou uS
| the actual experience gained before tne Puoo
| where even practising is done pioieo''""''' 80 w.
| business" In hand.
Az 10 how a girl can get into a stock company
there are various ways. She may know some one
| in the company who will Introduce her 10 'he
! manager: she may know outsider who VIII per-
form that service for her or she may nave 70 orae
| herself I'D to make the application
In that case II will be as In every other BUSINESS
The manager will politely tell her If he does not
| need her services or he will give her triai' ac-
cording as she seems to suit FOR Whatever VACANCY
| he has She is certain not TO get a prominent
To sciD cd
| she will II accepted for it. begin TO earn some
! thing at once, not much. but little
Thus she will be gaining ar enormous amount OF
| experience not only In the business or her own
part but IN observing how others treat theire ana
| in acquiring a wider knowledge OF human nature
| with liberation for differing characterlstcs III
different people
| FIRST SALARIES.
Salaries are not set Each manager has his own
rules and the engagement is made for long or
short periods according to the company's within
Some OF the companies furnish the costumes Tor
all plays except modern ones. This u.s. OF course
an immense saving and also relief to the actress.
Naturally salaries are then lower. The modern
| up-to-date gowns may be OF use on the stage ahu
are not therefore total loss 10 girl II she does
have 10 buy them. Many girl makes her own
clothes. especially while she is playing minor parts
It is possible to be we'll dressed on small allow
ance If does not go in for the numerous small
extravagances.
All young pcop)e are rather inclined to extrav-
aeances to those small. vanties which eat up the
quarters. and so the dollars. and In our profession
this is often marked. Il is necessary to dress well
TO eat we'll and to have thoroughly comfortable
and wholesome place 10 sleep In but 1t is not
necessary to ride everywhere in cabs TO dine at the
most expensive restaurants or TO have apartments
in the dearest hotel In town.
If actresses will do as other business women do
take good care Of their health and indulge In dis
spation such as late suppers and extra exertion
after their regular work. they will not break down
under any amount of hard playing. Then. II they
will demand no more In the way OF luxury than