The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-15
STAGE ELEVATORS GRADUATE.
1SSORTED VIEWS on ACTING At
SARGENT SCHOOL,

Classic Drama-R eminiscenco OF Man
uscrIpt Bin - PlRyWriEhts Acidity.
Fourteen earnest young men, with hair
rusbed bank from pale, intelligent brows,
and eleven maids in white muslin, with a
r,eI sarte futter to their motions, took
heir yellow nbboned diplomas from
president Sargent Of the Empire Dramatic
school. yesterday afternoon, and went
forth to elevate the stage. Perfected In
voice production, gesture, DelsArts har-
monies, poise, stage-falls and expression
n the emotions, they listened 10 advice
from Forbes Robertson, Victor Mapes,
n. c. De Mile. William A. Brady and others,
had Grace George held up TO them as
,srrple of what the school can do when IL
buckles down. and were declared graduated.
The proceeding were one-fourth mutual
conRratuation and three-fourths applause.
The applause began when the boy grad
unfes in frock coats and the girl graduates
IN muslin entered, led OF by Miss George,
who is Mrs. Brady in private hfe and Mr.
Robertson. The applause grew TO an
ovation az Grace George and Mr. Robert
son draped themselves on either side OF
the speakers table, and II shook the roof
when the class laid a bunch Of Easter lilies
before Miss George.
President Sargent, looking in his frock
clothes like the heavy villain minus the
cigarette. called attention to the smiling
faces and hopeful hearts OF the class. He
mentioned In complimentary terms the
stbics Of the profession and Dan Frohman,
and then he introduced Anna Warren
storey az president Of the alumni. who
told them that they probably had In their
midst a great actor and a great, great
sc,ress. They looked as though they
knew it already. She pointed with pride
10 the list OF graduates, and Forbes Rob-
ertson had the floor
Mr. Robertson, who peppered his talk
with long pauses. the while he consulted
his notes, told the graduates that they
should remember that the theatre IL
tsnnle of art, and should conduct them
elves therein with dignity, not 10 say
reverence.
Mr.. Robertson advised the graduates all
IN tTy the classic drama il they got chance.
And be implored them when the oppor-
tlnity came, TO act Shakespeare hatqIaIy
a. though his characters were real men
and women. He concluded with an
Anecdote which displayed to great adj
vantage his command Of Scotch dialect.
Mr.. Robertson got double encore.
Mr. Sargent after remarking that people
10 70 the theatre 20 see stars, worked up 20
he schools modest and brilliant star, and
indicated Grace George. who made the
prettiest curtssy she was taught In the
school to loud cheers, Mr.. Sargent then
mentioned a gentleman who represented
the brilliant star in more ways than one,
be said. and called up William A. Brady,
Brady read his talk, 1t was about the
old stock company days, especially in San
francisco, where be got his.
at was a case Of hustle OF quit, he said
Salaries were small and hard 70 collect.
In those days ] was known as Manuscript
Bill, because had the nerve 10 tackle any
part on an hours notice. Our boss was
running another theatre at Oakland across
the bay One afternoon word came that
en- actor in the Oakland company was
sick They were playing Richard III.
London and Radcliffe. Send Manuscript
Bill said the manager. I'd had no salary
for six weeks, but borrowed is cents 20
get across the bay and 10 cents for coffee
and sinkers on the boat. II was O'Clock.
| had 10 learn the lines by 8. IL was my
inst appearance a. a classical actor, and Il
struck me right there that l should never
have liking for Shakespeare. His lines
had 20 be spoke as he wrote 'em. You
They lad the costume shop in the thea
ire, and we always rushed In and picked
any costume that suited US. We weren't
particular about historical accuracy,
picked a red robe, because II was easiest
"a put on. 1t covered a pretty dirty white
Ben Teal was stage manager. He,
didn't like me. In fact nobody liked me,
/ had 80 much nerve. My cue came.
That's YOU, said Teal. STROBE on 20 the
rage, and my stride loosened the string
which held that robe; 1t slipped, show
ing the dirty shirt, and tangled up my feet,
ana l spT,axledt; TT. The fan knocked every
Speak yelled Teal.
60 onl 60 on, you foolf said Sheridan,
aside. $500
line remembered, and then l gagged
Il am glad TO see your honors here and
hone you re having a bully good timep'
Mr. Brady said that politics was playing
the dickens with getting Job on the stage.
The manager wants talent, but there's
always a district Judge OF State Senator
who wants 20 crowd In a relative. As for
Mrs Brady. she'd had the Sargent school
and the coaching Of an old timer.
And, said Mr., Brady the combination
u irresistible"
And Grace George had to make another
bow.
Bronson Howard passed up his chance
10 make speech, William OrdWay Partridge
told how elooution helped TO make him
sculptor and Louise Closer told how she
got a job. Then II was the turn Of Victor
Alapes As AIR. Mapes went along Mr..
Sargent looked mildly offended and Forbes
and bent upon the playwright a searching
Rance.
lisa queer business, said Mr. Mapes.
Here's the actor back from Kalamazoo
and the Western circuit. Crowded houses
everywhere. Never saw anything like II.
Critics gave il columns and columns. But
he can't get into a New York theatre.
There's the manager. He has q great
star But those four old plays OF hers
have run down, and he can't get another for
love or money. He's up against II.
You roll down Broadway and meet the
paywrig Il. He's got four old plays and
Two new mes. He showed that last play
~ Bronson Howard, William Dean Howells
and Mark Twain. They said II ought 70
Tin two years-and then every manager
In town turned IL down. What kind Of
Judges are they9 He's up against 1t.
The humble press agent has sent out
forty notices for the star and got only two
inches in an evening paper. The star u
roaring and he's up against IT, IL " awful
business. That's why 1t Ia 90 alluring.
Now, saY to this, the most remarkable
e,as, over graduated from this school
your friends and relations have already
confirmed your opinion as 10 that-l've
been coming to these commandments for
IL