The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-28
CHOOSING BALLET GIRLS
An Experienced Stage Manager
Shows How 1t Is Done.
HistriOnicaiIy Inclined Young
Women Need Considerably More
Than Ambition to Secure Even
Thinking Parts in Modern Plays.

The deliberately staged plays of the day
often include in their makeup hundreds
| of women, who are utilized for marches
| choruses. and-perhaps to make up groups
| for realistic backgrounds. 1t is probable
| that the selection of these women is pref
ty much the same in all large cities, sc
| that a fair estimate of the method OF
wedding out the applicants is furnished
| by the following process adopted by a
| well-known manager in New York. The
| scene was a certain big stage and the
| man who was to pass judgment upon the
hundreds of women, good, bad. and in
different, there assembled was the assist
| ant manager thereof.
| Want to see me sort out the bunch?'
he asked Sun" reporter "Sit down by
me and watch. But don't expect that it $
going to be any Sunday school meeting.
| We don't have time for heart-to-hear
| talks about what girl yearns for, nor
why she yearns for it. And we haven't
| got time to consider her feelings. All we
consider is whether she can fill out a pair
| of tights and can sing and dance and not
| he homely enough to put out the foot
| lights"
He picked up list of names and read
them aloud.
cepted yesterday" he announced, land
Will please leave the ROOM"
About thirty girls filed out. They took
enough self dissatisfaction with them to cor
ner the supply. Proud? The room fairly
reeked with pride. The Lady of Lyons
would have looked humble beside the
least of these.
IF there are any ladies here who were
not here yesterday, said Mr.. Lawrence.
''let them step forward"
Old hand that he is, he wasn't prepared
for what happened next. The 200 women
Numbered down the room and down in
upon the corner where Mr.. Lawrence was
entrenched behind a table. 1t was as ter
rifying as a cavalry charge. The group
behind the table fed to a flight of steps
leading to the front of the house; all
but a very small errand boy who stood
his ground.
Make EN- get back, Pete shouted
Mr.. Lawrence to the small boy. Tell EN-
wont look at EN- if they don't get
back"
Cit back" commanded Pete with
Napoleonic wave of his small arm.
The legions gave way reluctantly and
the group which had been behind the ia
BILE cautiously -reoccupied the position
which it had evacuated. At once the be-
siegers showed signs of closing in again.
Make 'em get back, Pete" cried Mr..
Lawrence. Make iem come one by one"
''Youse git back, ladies' eaid Pete with
another Napolecnic gesture.
The girls fell back. but looked as if they
would pounce down again at seconds
notice. Pete held them, however, by the
uncowed majesty of his mien
then he said
Lawrence. THAT little lady at the end
OF the line, come up here"
The line Immediately developed as many
ends as a cat-o'-nine- has and an as
sortment of candidates, some little and
some who will never see five feet six
again, swooped forward.
Get backl Get back, Get backr'
walled Mr.. Lawrence. ''Oh, if you could
ever get a chorus girl to work as hard
when she's got job as she works to get
one, we'd have to keep rest cure on tap
for them Now, then. that little lady
down there, the one with the big hat"
This came near precipitating another
charge. For whatever may be the limita-
tions of the chorus girl. and there are sew
eral she has none in the line of head
gear. She spreads herself when it comes
to hats. Consequently, about 119 big hats
pricked up their ears, SO to speak But
the invaluable Pete finally succeeded in
hiliSiH5 Up the out.
What's your name?" demanded Mr.
Lawrence.
Vivian Black"
Ever been on before?'
Yes. sir"
What in?'
She told and added that her sister had
been at the New York with THE Man in
the Moon company.
Il don't remember any girl by that
name, Pete; do you remember
Pete gave beautiful exhibition of a
small hoy thinking violently. Then he
Why yes" he said Don't you re-
member? That was the English girl what
was goin to marry the coon"
This had somewhat demoralizing eff
feet on the girl. but she consented to toin
in the laugh
We'll. Vivian" said Mr.. Lawrence
, Wei give you try. There are no coons
in this company, anyway. What's your
address? All right taking it down, you
wait over there. Next LADY,"
one OF the pig-tailed young girls came
Cant use you, my dear" cheerfully
the stage manager before she
was half way to the table Next Now
l told you yesterday to the girl who
came forward, that | couldn't use Won
This makes four times you've been here
and it's just wasting your time and mine.
too. Don't come again. Do you hear? |
Next What's your name?'
Adelaide Murphy"
Yes
What in?''
"The-the Casino"
What in?''
"In-in the Casino"
But in what play?" angrily
Well don't Just know the name of |
the play"
oh Well. l don't just think we want |
you. Next time stretch your Imagination |
a little further and find out the name of |
a piece as well as a theatre. Next Can't |
use you, my dear, you're too big. Next" |
one of the general homework type |
slouched to the table, got her curt dismiss
sal and went off stolidly not seeming to |
mind the open laugh which followed her
frowsy head. Next came two or three |
old hands If they could give some sort |
Of proof of their experience their names
were taken and they were told to wait at |
one side of the room
The bunch dwindled as II by magic. Not |
4 second was wasted. The stage manager
sized them up with one keen comprehen-
sive glance and disposed of most of them
with a curt, Indifferent, Cant use you,
my dear"
No one attempted TO alter his decision.
Everybody could see that 1t was a case
If fair field and no favors. When girl |
lad met that lightning-lilSe inspection and
seen the managers glance pass over her
lead to the next candidate she knew her
Ease was hopeless. Even if she didn't,
he had heard the impatient TRADE against
he few who hadn't had sense enough to |
axe their dismissal as final. but had come |
second, and even third and fourth
line.
When they had been sluiced through
his first sieve. those who had been retain
d were put to second test. Mr. Law
'ence sat back. wiped the perspiration
rom his forehead and called up the first
,irl whose name he had taken.
They have their voices tried now" he
said. land we have our nerves put |