The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-06
THE MATINEE GIRL HAS AN
INTERVIEW WITH MR.. WINTER

gets to playing important roles, his scope
has become broadened and he has leaIn-
ed his particular forte, for everyone has
one Nothing develops versatility more
quickly than a stock experience"
And who does the stage director devel-
op, how does he get his tralning?" 1
asked.
is keen observation and n share OF com
mon sense. He is supposed to be "A walk
ing encyclopedia. ready at all times To be
consulted upon all subjects. IL he doesn't
know he must be able to place his finger
at once upon the desired knowledge.
account for what success | have had as
stage director TO the thorough training
given me by my mother when / was
child. Whenever | went for a walk !
was expected upon my return to tell her
OF the things / had observed while out
and rather retentive memory has help
ed this. Today / rarely pass a store
window without impressing upon my
mind a picture of almost everything in
the window. and If ] read n story which
giyes anything about the customs OF any
country or race of people. make a spe-
cial effort TO retain any information gain
ed by Y-the- reading Later this comes in
handy. A few weeks ago I'm Philadelphia
We played "A Temperance Town. In that
we needed a magazine. and on the morn
ing OF tho first production / discovered
that the property man had secured n
current issue of IIarper's Weekly. ! am
sisted upon having a magazine OF the
date OF the play. not recent one.
The property man was in despair. until
| remembered that on my way from the
hotel to the theatre / had noticed a
tiny, insignificant book store where some
very old books were sold and some mag
azines printed many years back. I III
rected him. and a few moments later he
returned with a very old magazine or
that year. for which he had paid exactly
one cent. We returned the other Har-
n IN
wasn't raised, but the satisfaction I felt
in having just the right thing was ample
walton. however. 10 qualify one for tho
position Of stage director / began my
professional career as call boy az Booths
theatre. New York, which is now the Nc
Creery building This position is now
almost obsolete, or is absorbed by the
assistant stage director. | was then pro-
moted 20 promppter Ny first production,
terest you to know, the original produc-
ton OF Hazel Kirke. then called The
Iron VIII and was made in this very
theatre. then called loves Opera house
As you know. the play achieved a great
success and has proved one OF the great
est money makers OF the age. That was
I'm lSTS-pardon me. ] must go 10 change
for this act. and I've bored you long
enough"
lie started toward his dressing room.
and I exclaimed eagerly. "Oh Mr.. Win
ter won't you first tell mo your Views OF
the prize play contest? It's a subject
which Is interesting every playgoer az
present and I'd like 20 hear about II
from your standpoint
HN hesituted y moment. then added:
well. naturally. it's quite an undertak-
ing. A first production means q great
deal. and can make or mar a plays fu-
ture I nm sure that Mr.. bovenberg
will select only 2 play which VIII be
worthy of tho Albee company and which
contains the germs of success. That
thought somewhat consoles me- but the
origi nal planning of scenery costumes.
properties lighting effects and any neces-
sary changes I'm the manuscript or parts
will consume n great deal of time. With
n company less capable than tho Albee
company ia DC very anxious as TO the
outcome. but I've not an ordinary com
ordinary one. and with Mr. Lovenbergs
sound Judgment. with which Providence
people are thoroughly familiar now. and