The Washington times., 1903-08-30

to me. None of the worlds famous ac-
tors of past days attended schools of
acting. and 1t is a rather significant fac-
that few. if any, of the prominent actors
and stars of today were ever members
OF these schools. l am not prejudiced-
1t is simply a matter OF practical expe-
rience.
Much knowledge Needed.
With all my own experience and
knowledge of my art, never know what
/ can do with new role until appear
before an audience. They show, encour-
age, and inspire me. without prorering
advice. let me say to my earnest ques-
TONERS, TO those who. having TO earn
living for themselves, and believing
and feeling that their capabilities are
best adapted for a stage career; and to
those who. for love of the art for arts
sake. aside from pecuniary considera-
tions. have determined TO join us-to
these. 1 would say that the dramatic
profession, as I know it, is a splendid
and noble one. / believe no other pro-
fession open to women offers such great
rewards. material or otherwise 1t is a
profession in which our talents are
shown to the best advantage-an art in
which our temperamental peculiarities
find fullest scope. To lover of the
ones mind with charity toward all; il
elevates. educates. and ennobles. One is
brought into closest touch with the
master minds of literature. To proper
ly interpret a character built up by a
famous author or poet. one must try TO
look at and analyze the character from
the point of view of the writer, so you
are constantly communing with the
great writer's of past and present days.
You must know something of coIors.
costumes. painting. history. geography,
antiques, mechanics-everything which
goes 10 make atmosphere" and effect"
for the background of your portrayal.
And then. when you have become, in
even a little way, a master of your
craft. 10 stand before your audience and
dominate them, TO feel that you can
make them laugh or cry at will, that
you can hurry them through the gamut
that they are following your every
whisper, move, look, Then one knows
something of the greatness of our art
something of its rewards. Again, If the
rewards are great. the hardships and
difficulties are greater.
Never ending. striving for the appar-
emily unattainable. superhuman sacri-
fees, heart-breaking disappointments.
work through sickness and exhaustion.
travel through storm and blizzard.
homeless and practically kipless-work
work. work-these are only stepping
stones In the ever upward climb toward
all that is highest in dramatic endeavor.
Another point worth considering lies in
the fact that many stage. aspirants, while
in some way appreciating the neces-
sity for unrelenting work for those on
the lower rungs of the theatrical lad
der. imagine that once your standing is
assured and you are. say. star, whose
name is emblazoned on dead walls
throughout the country, that the life
becomes easier, less exacting. Nothing
could be further from the truth. AS one
climbs higher and becomes more famous,
so do the responsibilities increase. Your
very prominence makes you mark for
more exacting criticism Your talents
are being compared to a higher standard
of past or contemporary achievement, the
more famous and intricate roles you are
called upon to interpret demand more
and greater study and attention 10 sub
tie detail You will not only be required
to give an artistic characterization of
your own role. but will probably have 10
direct the rehearsals of your supporting
company, guiding the histrionie foot
steps of those who are just commencing.
as you yourself were once guided.
Hard Work, But Fine Work.
Acting each individual part as your
more mature experience has taught you
they should be acted. giving your ideal
conceptions of the atoms, which under
your care will become a harmonious
whole. For example. though my public
season only commences at one OF your
theaters here on Monday night. 1 have
been rehearsing from six TO ten hours
a day for nearly eight weeks through the