The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-06-03


prominent parts in good companies. An
other has lived for some time on one
meal day. These women are fair OF
face-one Of them would be called
handsome-and all are thoroughly COM
petent.
The cases Of the young, inexperienced
ones that have come to me hoping l
could help them are too many and too sad
to recount. They drift into typewriting,
copying and starvation. Many Of them
drift back home. Some become 'ex-
tras." That means they 60 on the stage
as "guests," or the mob, just to star
around and say nothing. They must ~
tend rehearsals, dress perhaps several
times during the evening and be regard
ed with scorn by those who have speak
ing parts, all for 81 performance. For
the chance to do this hundreds crowd
the stage entrances whenever there is
q cell for "extra ladies.
One young woman who made short
starring venture in the west and who is
undoubtedly possessed with talent, COM
bined with the beauty Of face and figure
which make up a good stage presence,
came two years ago to New York to
seek an engagement. She was armed
with letters Of introduction to many
prominent managers from Colonel Rob-
ert G. Ingersoll, and the future seemed
rosy to her bright young eyes This in.
fuential man, who had seen her act, sent
glowing words to the Gotham magnates,
but not one CT them gave her chance.
She has not stepped upon stage from
that day to this.
How has she lived? By doing en-
broidery for one of the large wholesale
houses. She has bravely kept ker self
respect, and she has never given up try
! ing. She makes her rounds Of the agen-
cies every little while, and she means
to attain her end yet. She will do it
too. There is no sort Of doubt that
such pluck, earnestness and persever-
ance will win.
Before the young aspirant who is in
deadly earnest about entering the dra-
matte profession heaven forbid the writ
er should cast one straw Of discourage
ment
There is not only room, but there is
a hungry demand, for the actress with a
strong dramatic instinct, brains, appi-
cation and large capacity for work.
Work! I should like to write that
word in capitals foot high.
The work which in the golden age
was done SO we'll because the gods al
ways saw must come back again to
earth. Until it does there will still be
tears and agony and suicide in the solv.
ing of the life problem.
IF you love the art SO that no labor,
privation, rebuffs or hardship can stand
in your way, then you have a right to
think that heaven meant you to act.
Do it though the skies fall.
If you want to go on the stage sim
ply to wear pretty clothes and attract
attention, don't do it, for the end is
dust and ashes
If you want to be a professional"
because you "like the life," don't do it.
You'll find the life full Of damp and
dirty dressing rooms, dinnerless jour
news, ice cold beds, hard hearted land
lords and absconding managers
If you want to be an actress because
you don't want to be typewriter or
q milliner or a saleswoman and the
stage seems to be place where you can
earn the most money in the easiest way,
don't do it. There never yet has been
found a real easy way for any woman
Ito earn money. All legitimate work
must mean an equivalent for the dollar.
In getting into this particular "easy"
place and getting out Of it you'll find a
larger crop of heartaches, tears and ago
nies than you ever could imagine would
be compressed into one small life.
If you think that mediocrity, triflng
and laziness can succeed, let me tell
YOU that every case of that sort existing
today is propped up somewhere against
a barrel of money. If you can lay your
hands Oh such a barrel and want to use
1t for that purpose, no one will hinder
YOU as long as the dollars last.
IF it is a toss up whether you go on
the stage or % something else, be sure
TO do something else.
If you have a great, strong conviction
that you are right, make the plunge,
and God be with you When you are
determined to succeed, you will. The
strong heart wins ALICE +. IVES
New York