New-York tribune., 1903-04-12
Of the stage Personally wish the project all the
success ii deserves. J. H STODDART
New-York, April Z. 1903.
APPLAUSE AT HARVARD.
Professor G. P. Baker Builds High Hopes on
the Plan.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: 1 much interested in the project tc
erect and endow American Academy of Ora
matte Art IN America to-day have hundreds
Of theatres millions of theatregoers yet the social
position of the drama is that of the clown or al
best, of the kings testert exists solely to amuse
The causes of this condition l have traced to
lack Of correct dramatic standards in the public
in general and the failure in particular Of that
portion of the public which most prides itself on
its cultivation to recognize not merely that the
drama may be. but in a highly civilized community
should be- of the fine arts. All proposed solu-
toDs Of this undesirable situation agree that the
drama should be provided with an attractive home
in which it shall be free possible from the
compelling necessities attending the theatre a
business investment, but to details of this
home and particularly 10 the best means OF
financing il factions war, and assertion and fall
lacious reasoning abound.
First of all. such theatre must not be founded
as in any way an implication that there is not
admirable acting in America or that there is
not excellent stage management To assert either
would be absurd and unjust to maintain that
all the acting and all the stage management are
perfect. This theatre would exist to teach pri-
maTily. not the actor. but the public, and to teach
the latter not by doing vastly better what is al
ready done. but chiefly by doing what. for business
reasons, existing companies may not 40 Between
the extremes of realis and fantasy lies much that
is thoroughly amusing, much that is tnougetfll III.
sane and stimulating Whatever certain fadalsts
may say, the drama TO be valuable even 10 pe o
great, need not be merely sordid or grim. nor to
sk R be lEaf Pfobsby S such tRease Would
attempt extravaganza or musical burlesque for
much the that II would not essay
opera-that special force OF artists ara great
exceptions. the hole range OF the drama from
poetic tragedy, through high and low comedy, TO
farce should open TO il.
Such g theatre should not be judged success
or failure solely as II produces or iails 10 pro
duce a crop of DraisewOTthy American CranatiSts"
The attitude Of the management should doubtless
be marked by the catholic hospitality OF the the
stre Antoine but no necessity to produce plays
on American subjects or by American dramatists
should oblge It TO stage bad plays by good novel
the experiments OF feeble hands. 1t is risky
try hasten social forces. Let us provide as
far as we can the conditions which In other coun
tries have produced national drama. If 1t does
not come, must search for the missing condi-
tons and supply them 1 believe firmly, however.
that. granted ali the other conditions making for
AmericSn drama. only widespread recognition
of correct dramatic standards is needed to produce
not in year. five. even perhaps ten,
but within a generation-a drama of American
conditions which shall have permanent value.
1t should be difficult recruit the company
for such a theatre. The schools Of acting yearly
turn many capable young and women
eager for opportunities TO distinguish themselves
gained from greater variety of parts than the
ordinary company offers. Moreover. any one VINO
knows the stage knows well that there are actors
and actresses who can never be at their best now
never be stars" but they competent, conscf-
entious and enthusiastic towers of strength for a
stock company, 1t would not be difficult TO name
half dozen who should be in any such company
and who. by their loyal followers. would swell de-
cidedly the audiences at the initial performances
of the theatre. And these actors and actresses
would he glad to Join company in which salaries
would be good and sure. and should be based on
the quality OF the work and the length OF service.
GEORGE p. BAKER.
Cambridge. Mass. April 9. 1903