New-York tribune., 1902-03-22
Mss RUSSELL TO STUDENTS
SHE DEFINES DRAMATIC ART. AND
TELLS THEM ACTORS ARE
BORN. THEN MADE"

Nearly half a hundred young men and women
were launched on the sea of dramatic work yester-
day from the American Academy of Dramatic Art
and Empire Theatre Dramatic School at the grad
uat.r- exercises Of the eighteenth season. held 1T
the Empire Theatre
The principal address was given by Mizs Annie
Russell who gave much serious advice ilustra ted
AT intervals in q humorous way that excited gen
eraI laughter as when she described the rehearsal
OF a company of fashionable amateurs. She said
in part
1 have been asked to make my talk TO YOU as
re-gence and ideals Acting is so much a part Of
the individual nat il IS difficult 10 speak Of ones
achievements in an lnlpers0nal way. Ihis necaS-
sa-v element of personality in our art IS not suti-
cierr reason for vulgar eg0tism pornpous per
sonaI bCasung. and should be recognized as one
Of the dangers 10 be carefully guarded against
Il is no longer rsnarha5l 7it BE thing t92t actors
and -er-r7a1 on and of the stage sometime trey,
known and well liked actors illustrates this; He
was dining at fashionable house noted for smart
ness rather than intellectually. The hostess. in
ana 81. YOU don seem at all Ike an actor but
around the table. he replied Good Lord. Which,
make special plea TO those Of you VINO are
memherns that our actions are judged by a totally
who in private life may be as innocently madgap
Of their actions were they actresses The greatest
crcumspection necessary at all times.
Beginners fin any of the artistic professions in
variaoy adopt extreme mannerisms An art
~ mi az 4er1rarf,'rs ana Worldwide rcuIIta-
ton isn't lacking i'm true artistic feeling because ne
wears such correct conventional clothes 1o1nE
actors adopt the extreme in fashions and self
feel drawn toward. some men wear an air or gay
sorpuon. The women. too. are inclined to acting ting
guide US all TO simplicity and a rational habit NJ
We ali know that notortery is not nnota,bility
though there are some people. not Of our kind. who
confuse the terms. had a letter rom ne WrS{
making collection of photographs and auto
Era1hs Of notorious actresses ana Sn2qId 'Nf r 70
imagine will help rs in our portrayal. II We are
~ a--,,-;ri ,s-.rar-rfC7 afrertaftTn and insin-
rruer growth and making Of us creatures OF TEN
feel SO strongly on this matter Of emotional in.
tCXiraton that ! could make IL iarSey me 5uolt',,
the warning and besides YOU will fully realize nv
meaning "hen You are s,roe,s ms 5,,aT 5a , r4 more
profitable to divert the channel or our eae eT
IN" laTlouS arc Is @ - s-sT iolsr v@rl
can play tragedy in a role thar calls only for
1athos or thar YOU possess great emotional power
If the emotion Of your part touches only "a a minor minor
infection - every spoken line 70 see II IT rings
,-gl,- own ear. work for its true meaning Work
work. worl-creat:vey II yoI can. intell!gerIly al
,r M cIs+r~ s ne bas+ y,sh I nave FOR vou my
Will make only for the best IN YOU. iha' You near
your disa0noiurments and successes with "qaal
work with GutiruE. unceasInS cheertHino-s even
be NOT now it Will come. The readiness is MI
KvrIe Beuew gave the budding players several
practical bits of advice. and told them ihat the
divorce r. 't''. w.. .t. W. -, re- Aol,s,' ~ ,,-se
+4-. t. ~ rNa ef Ir r~a