Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-21

A dozen years ago small group of young
people, interested in the progress of dra-
matte art and with no little ability as actors
and actresses, met and formed, for purely
social purposes, an organization which has
become known the Carroll Institute
Dramatic Club. an adjunct to Carroll In
stitute. To have survived twelve years as
organization is alone record that
might make one proud, but to have come
through this time with many of the same
members, brought into ever-growing init
macy by constant association, and all work.
ing for the one purpose of promoting dra-
matte arts among their friends and ac-
quaintances, is what makes the Carroll In
stitute Dramatic Club stand out promi-
nently among organizations of it's charac-
ter throughout the country. This alone
would be a sufficient claim for public atten-
ton and patronage, but from the time of
It's organization the club has depended for
its reputation entirely upon its worth as
dramatic company, in dramatic produc-
tons. With such a history it is hardly
fair to say that the work Of the club is
amateur theatricalS. When applied to the
atricaIs however, the terms amateur and
professional are relative. The one is ap-
piled to those who take to the stage for
their own amusement or the amusement Of
their friends-the other to those who adopt
Interpretation of the drama as a means Of
livelihood. The Carroll Institute club is
neither the one nor the other.
1t puts on plays for the financial benefit
of Others and it puts them on in a manner
that smacks strongly of the professional
Indeed in the twelve years of it's organiza-
ton the only valuable members that the
club has lost have been those who have de-
serted the so-called mateur ranks to join
the professional. The actors who have been
sent to the stage from this club are well
known in the histrionic world.
Selection of Plays.
Throughout its history the club has only
dealt with plays that suited the varied
talents of its members. All it's plays have
been carefully selected and staged that
the best that is in each of the actors and
actresses has been brought to the front.
The club is the successor in tradition and
methods of the old Lawrence Barrett ORA
matte Club, which was well known to WASH
fngtonians a generation ago. This organ
ization was one of the most famous in the
country and fiourshed in the District TWEEN
ty years ago under very good conditions.
Its roll of membership read today sounds
like list of successful stars OF the pro-
fessiOnal stage, some now In the helght OF
their glory, some Of whom have passed
away. The late lamented Annie Lewis
was a member of the company: Wilton
Lackaye and his brother James received
their first instruction In dramatic work III
its ranks: Charles HanfOrd and Robert
Downing were associated with its successes
and Giles Shine. Tim Murphy and ]. A.
Mahoney drew that inspiration from their
membership in the organization which led
them to seek honors as professionals. After
the breaking up Of the Lawrence Barrett
Club, which, by the way. enjoyed the dis
tinguished patronage Of the great actor
whose name it bore. the Carroll Institute
ganization was formed. Mr.. Edward J:
walsh, prominent in the business world OF
the District. was one of the original pro-
meters of the organization. Mr.. Walsh