The colored American., 1902-03-15


fact, it is difficult to decide in which
style of renditions she excels.
However, most competent critics aware
her the palm in the heavier emOtiona
work, and it is this line in which she /.
most anxious to succeed. She is de
termined to become frst-class emo
tional actress, one whose work will bt
SO perfect that audiences will not have
time 20 consider her as a colOred woman
but as an artist By so doing she viii
have paved the way and opened up)new
venues of employment for other talent
ed young people of her race,
About FIVE years ago Miss Overall
gave her first play. East Lynne" at the
ellis Theatre, in Kansas City. So sue
cessful was she in portraying the char
acter of Lady Isabel" that she was en-
eouraged to produce another play the fol
lowing year. "Fanchon, the Cricket
Maggie Mitchell's great plav. was her
second venture, given in Kansas City
The part of "Fanchon" was totally un-
like that of Lady Isabel" but Miss
Overall was SO successful that she has
played this part more often than any
other. She will produce this play in
Chicago at an early daate under the
management of Mr. Richard B. Harri-
son, of that city.
Her marvellous rendition of the "Shad-
ow Dance" in "Fanchon, the Cricket .
IS but the product of the most intirinp
energy on the part of Miss Overall. Be
lleVlns always in thorough preparation
tor her work, she has spared neither
time nor means to perfect herself in the
art OF dancing, and the grace and ease
that is exhibited in her production of this
dance and the manner in which her au-
diences were charmed by it, but illus
trates the fact how very successful she
has been IN her work along this line. In
1899 Miss Overall made a hit in "Thirtv
ears OF Freedom" given at the Coates
heater, where was present one of the
largest audiences ever in attendance at
an amateur performance in Kansas
City. Miss Overall appeared three times
in a scene from "Fanchon, the Crick-
ct, a solo Spanish Dance and a scene
from Richelieu, as Julie" in each of
which she won laurels Miss OveraITs
next play, Lady of Lyons" was pro-
duced at the Auditorium. the largest
-heater in Kansas City She was highly
successful as Pauline" Her work in
his play showed great improvement over
tOi cHOTtS.
This year she is busily engaged in pre-
paring for production the bea utiful ro-
mantle play, Caprice" formerly plaved
by Minnie Madden Fiske, who is pro
nounced by many to be the most intelli-
gent actress upon the American stage
MISS Overall has been fortunate enough
20 secure permission to give this pIav-
and II her future work can be measured
DIV the past, she will give delightful
rendition of the title role.
Miss Overall may produce Caprice"
IN May at the opening of the Willis
Wood Theater, now building. and
which when completed, will be the finest
theater in the West By this NAV be
Judged with what respect she is regarded
oy the leading citizens of Kansas Citv.
Besides producing plays in Kansas
City and neighboring cities, Miss Overall
mas given numerous dramatic READINGS
and an recitals in leading cities of the
United States, and should she decid.
TO devote her time entirely to her profesE
sion she will extend the number of her
engagements, especially in the East
Miss Overall is certainly an insn;ra-
ton to the youth of her race and a great
future awaits her.