The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-01
A GIRL IN THE CHORUS.
Marked characteristics of the Pres
ent-Day Type.

New York Post.
This account of the present-day chorus
girl, her ambitions and temptations, is
given by one who speaks from what she
knows, and, of course, from the point of
view Of the chorus:
Between the old-time and the modern
chorus girl the difference is marked. II
used TO be exceptional to find one under
thirty years of age, and grease paint, SPAN
giles and electric lights were supposed 10
cover all the neglects of. nature in the way
Of beauty, but that day has passed. In
deed, il is most exceptional TO find a young
woman as old as thirty now in any first
class production. So many pretty girls
there are, and so young, in every snow
that one never thinks of picking out the
pretty ones, but rather the ugly ones.
The era of spangies and cheeseclcth has
passed, and to-day the chorus girl is ar
rayed in gowns of the best material and
make-slk stockings, tights ana gloves
and her shoes are always made to order.
In selecting a chorus for a large produc-
ton faces are not always the first consio-
%eration; indeed, many managers note the
figure first, and if the face is fairly good,
she will do 1t is amusing to note the eX-
element when the manager appears on the
scene TO choose the girls for a new COM
pany. He moves through the crowd (theIe
are often three and four hundred), touch
ing this or that one on the arm or shoul-
der, making a pleasant remark TO one, a
sarcastic remark TO another, greeting an
old-timer with a laugh or joke, and hnally
disappears-this is the signal Tor the resi-
to go and those he has chosen 10 gamer
around the piano TO have their voices trled.
This trial depends on the manager. Some
make it a farce, in fact, often cut IL out
entirely.
"a musical production with a large
chorus always rehearses from four TO elgnt
weeks-this means a repetition OF music
twice and sometimes three times a DAY.
tiresome steps to practice and marches lhdt
keep the girls on their feet for hours, ano-
no salary. Those who need money are a.
lowed to draw in advance during rehearsals.
Finally comes dress rehearsal night, ana all
it's worries-somebody elses dress, the
wrong tights, misit shoes-glrls often Wear
shoes too small for them at dress rehearsal
to stretch them and frequently faint from
the pain-this last rehearsal often lasts all
night, and principals and chorus mlngle IN
the scramble for sandwiches and coffee be
tween the scenes.
1.-THE average chorus salary is SlS, with all
stage shoes sometimes four and five pairsl,
stockings, and gloves deducted, so much
each week, if desired. The show girl often
has one costume TO buy. costing from SlOO
TO $3.50. one can readily see that the chorus
girl does not make any money unless the
show has a run, with these deductions from
the first few weeks salary.
Chorus life IS not necessarily an i'm
moral one. 1t offers few temptations to the
young woman of good common sense, no
more temptations than other callings, and
the evil associates tend 10 disgust rather
LAADAl III 2AaHL ~ 0AAAAAA IL
botherS a girl once he Is shown he is not
wanted, and the girl who goes out with him
does so of her own accord. College boys
particularly are not insistent. and the
easiest fellows in the world to manage. The
actors are not so attractive when you know
them.
''Th stage-door mother. though not as
much in evidence here as I'm Europe. Is still
well known. There are two distinct types
the one dowdy and grabbed, who repels the
young man. and the other who openly en-
courages him TO meet her daughter. The
theater is no place for girls who cannot
take care OF themselves, and the mother
has no right at the stage door whatever.
THE real tempter. both on and of the
stage. is the girl friend. she IL is who pro-
poses dinners. suppers, etc.-tells YOU how
wealthy 80 and so is. Of the princely pres
ents he lavished on 80 and so. and that she
knows he would just give you anything
you wished. If you only jOllied him a little.
This friend Is generally known as "A good
fellow but 10 her can be charged the mis-
fortunes Of many bright, ambitious-per-
haps too ambitious girls. Sometimes she
means no harm. but the wise girl does well
10 steer clear OF her invitations.
THE young woman who Is finally pro-
NOTED from the chorus IS the intelligent.
studiOus. hard worker. with or without any
extra amount OF talent. and who succeeds
through her own efforts. Real talent with
out ambition To develop IL counts for little.
OF course. sometimes young women spring
into prominence who are neither studiOus
nor extraordinary ly intelligent. but accident
or pull is the explanation OF these cases.