The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-06
HOW SHE GOT ON THE STAGE.
Not So Very Hard to Do, One Girl De-
ciares.
New York Sun.

New York Sun.
II had heard a great deal about the diff
GUILTY of getting a place on the stage" said
a pretty young woman who had just signed
a contract for the season with Joseph JEFF
ferson's company, land / naturally ex-
pected that coming to New Yorf practi-
cally a stranger in theatrical circles my
task would be no easy one. L found. on the
contrary, that there is, apparently, a great
demand for trained young women who are
in earnest in their desire to enter the pro-
fession, and 1 am very happy in having so
soon obtained such a desirable place.
There is so much written to deter the
young aspirant for dramatic honors that
perhaps a word in the other direction may
prove encouraging to the girls who have
ambition and talent in that direction, but
who are deferred from their task by all
they hear and read of the trouble in get
ting a start and the hardships of the life,
once the start is secured.
In reality the stage is. like every other
profession, in want of good, capable, hard
working people. There is a special demand
now for young men and women of refine
ment and a knowledge of the profession
and its requirements. Three weeks after l
had arrived in the city 1 had signed a con-
tract with one of the best companies on the
road and had other chances to join COM
panies equally important, but where the
plays were of the buElesque and operate
order. l did not feel that such a place
would insure the same pleasant surround
ings and the opportunity for study as the
one that L accepted.
How did l proceed? Well, l simply called
on the different managers and agents. My
dramatic school had given me a certain
basis OF introduction and l depended on
that more than on any social prestige or
on personal appearance or dress. Some of
the most important managers in New
York whom 1 imagined 1t would be abso-
lutely impossible 10 see | saw DIT once with
out any trouble. Others referred me TO
their stage managers or representatives. In
only two cases was 1 dismissed without any
consideration. In not one instance, how
ever, was L treated with rudenesS. Cour-
tesy and extreme kindness We're the rule.
Il can assure you that it has given ne a
delightful impression OF New York. The eX-
perience was delightfully."- unexpected in its
success. l am beginning to believe in that
mysterious thing called luck. OF course, L
have had dramatic training In my home
city. l have also played in amateur theatre
calls, and / was able TO r6clte and give eX-
tracts from plays which gave an idea of
nay elOcutionary ability and whatever dra-
matte skill ! may possess. L do not consider
myself anything more than a beginner who
has a knowledge of the rudiments of act
ing and a purpose to succeed.
Still, | did not accept the first offer, for
the reason that the salary was wretchedly
small. The second was a better chance, but
the work would have necesSitated chorus
costumes, and the play was of the very
light order. i waited and wished for a bet
ter opportunity and IL came. / feel that the
first start which | have gained is of great
Importance and that now everything de-
pendS on myself.
II had a struggle with my relatives and
friends before l could get their permission
or approval of my plans. L hardly dared to
hope that such a thing was possible. But |
cf1rIiaH and QnaXa0 and nlpa6p6 and finally
my mother was won over to listen to the
idea. l am not at all appalled, by the So
called temptations Of the stage. l think
that any girl who is in earnest about her
work need not fear that sort of thing. Hard
work. raw and lack of the comfortable
surroundings of my home L am prepared
for. but temptations / have no more appre-
tensions of than | should at home, and 1
certainly have had nothing but courtesy
II don't know that 1 can tell you how II
was l have succeeded when, as you say, so
many fail. One manager told me that my
Southern accent was delightful. but that
my voice, Its register I'm conversation was
impossible. But l was nervous and was not
thinking OF my voice when L spoke. II is
my impression that many of the young
women aspirants for the stage impress
managers with their lack of serious inten-
ito and with their personal vanity. But /
had a good teacher at home and none Of
these ideas ever gained much ground with
me.
Beauty alone will never gain a girl a
/ HAaL& oA AA1 9kao1 hAAAA a H0kh O4AlA1l
unless she is intended for chorus work. a
young woman looking for q place on the
stage should not wear STACEY looking
clothes or talk ahectedly. Social position IS
an important factor in ones first success
for while il does not mean much as to
acting ability it usually is assuring as to
a girls being accustomed 10 polite usages.
One of the managers with whom ] spoke
said that ! would have no trouble In get
ting a place because / was not STACEY.
Some Of the young lady aspirants, he said.
simply pose and roll up their eyes and re-
cite 'Curfew' in an artificial and unframed
voice. Others want big salaries. one has to
start at a very small salary. In some parts.
pretty dresses are necessary and sometimes
a good wardrobe is OF help in getting a girl
q place..
Girls who have stage ambitions and
have not the advantages of training at a
dramatic schoOl should study at home.
Reading plays aloud and especially those Of
Shakespeare is good practice. Delsartean
reading and exercises are of great benefit.
Voice culture. elocution. the arts Of express
sion all must be studied. Pronunciation is
OF great Importance. Physical exercises,
Financing. fencing and swimming are all I'm
the course of study for the stage. A knowl-
edge OF music is necessary, and / have
taken up the study OF French, SO that /
may be able to read the plays in that Ian
guage.
II cannot see how any girl who takes up
the work OF the stage seriously could have
time for society or gayety of any sort. To
! me it seems the most serious profession in
tie world"