The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-12

That contingent Of the restless SIX that
nnds itseH In New York geographically
and secia lily In what would be analysed
- u top stratum In just now Interested
10 an unprc cedented degree In folio wing
IN artistic career. In other words, there
never was time In which the young women
Of this city seemed 20 anxious to g before
tho public In one way or another. They
want to act or sing or do somt thing that
will occupy them more asrctably than
thei ordinary pursuits and will mors over.
get them be fore the public II possible.
Five vars ago this n site ssness broke
out In quite another form. Then 1t was
millinery that apps aled to them. or dress
making.
Both those occupa tons are now 40 sur
rounded by recruits from society that they
offer no prospect Of profit or even the most
heeting no toriety, So they have been
abandoned in favor Of more artistic pro-
tensions.
just now II Is the stage that appeals
most strongly to them. Clara Bloodgood
Gang Il want to be an actor lady and the
same bee Is buzzing now In many chic
spring walking hats.
whs women b. gan to go into dvss-
making and milline ry it was always be-
oAuSe they need the money that the Work
wo uld PR sumably bring In. Som' timt
women did n ally earn O live lihood. but
just ~ fr qus ntly they made very little
or only enough to supple ment to a small
extent what they air, ady had.
So many women wanted to 60 into busi-
ness Of this kind that even those who were
formerly engaged as saeswomen by the
established milliners and dressmakers for
the sake OF attracting the trade OF their
frisnds, are no longer In demand. Society
milliners are now too numerous.
Then the business w men began to lose
caste In another way. Business was some
times made Q cloak for other sources OF
income that could not be 50 easily ex-
planned to everybody. This abuse OF the
business began in London.
Thus various causes combined to make
these commercial occupations uninterest-
ing and certainly unpro Htable. Then the
vista OF the arts opened TO uneasy femir
ninity.
Every woman In society who wants to get
on the stage makes her first application
70 Q successful woman manager, play agent
and general theatrical adj wiser who is known
to most families socially prominent by
nams or u At least readily accessible to
them through common friends. Into her
keen and well-shaped ears are poured
first the stories of theatrical aspirations.
Some Of those who apply TO her are helped
on their way. She In . shrewd woman.
however, and knows the needs Of the stage,
and che sends nobody in that direction
who does not seem to have some qualifca'
ton. whether II be talent. beauty or no
toristy.
Most of the present day aspirants want
70 est to Clyde Fitch. They want parts
n his plays.
because. they all say. .Mr. Fitch writes
plays about sooiety In New York. and ",
are already familiar with that life. So IL
won't b ~ bad - II We had to begin in Al
entirely different kind Of play
The most fortunate get to the dramatist
and some OF them are engaged. The real
importance Of seeing Mr.. Fitch comes from
the fact that he lie one Of the few drama
tists able to impose his own terms on the
persons who accept his plays. He has nov
reached q position that enables him to SAY
who shAll and who shall not play the roles
he has created.
II Q woman Ia able, therefore, to appeal
to him, her chances Of getting an engage
ment are good. But he is too prudent to
engage any woman merely becau &c she
CONES to him with letters from this or tina,
dowager in society.
He N too careful about the success Of hit
dramas to trust any OF the important roles
to uncertain hands. He must recognize
ability and adaptability to the stage jus,
a. he did the other day in the case Of New
York girl who finally got to him.
She had letters and she had seen the pow
srful play agent. who had promised to ar
range q meeting with the dranatist Il
poAAble. She waited for several week.
with no ngn Of q response. She didn't
dare TO worry the play agent for fear Of
losing her interest altogether.
Finally Q letter came notifying her tc
be ct the dramatist's house at a certain
time In the late afternoon. She was or
hand.
I'm the busiest man In New York. sale
the playwright. rushing into the room
sand for you have just two minutes
The trembling aspirant was terror
stricken by this time.
And you might as well understand IL
the first place that never engage any
body for my plays who has not three certain
0Oteo IN tne VOICE, ne Weht oh'
Tho visitor swiftly wondered what thu
three were and II she had them
.Now recite something, please he said
Her tongue was dry with fright and I
seemed to her that she could never mov'
n a Mr.. Fitch sat waiting for her TO beeiI
leohing straight ahead Of him. What die
she know that lasted lees than two minutes
And what would show those three notes
che happened to have them?
ahs managed to recite few verses OF I
POEM after awhile.
'That'n do" he suddenly said. rising
from his chair. thank you very much
Mr.. All. Hayman Of Mr.. Frohmsn's OHIO
has your address. I think. Good after
noon
This aspirant found herself in East Forfeit
street. walking away from Mr.. Fitch
house, In o confusion Of sensations not TO b
analysed. She had no idea OF what sort o
impression she had made.
II was only two DAYS later when not
summoned her to Mr.. Frohman's once
that she learned her fate. Then Mr.. Hay
man informed her that Mr.. Fitch wante'
her for Q small part In one Of his playi
Ths contract was signed and the nrst STE
az the career had been made.