The Washington herald., 1909-07-11
HERE'S a CHANCE FOR
THE BUDDING DRAMATIST
By LEE sHTRERT.

I may say there is nothing in all my
work as a producing manager which so
I interests ne as the search for new aU-
thors with new IDEAS Also there IS
nothing thai gives me more pleasure
than. having discovered a dramatic work
apparently inspired with some new
thought 20 give the author the assistance
OF every technical department under the
control OF our firm. SO that his play may
be offered 70 the public in the form and
manner best calculated 20 obtain judicious
approval
II Is the new idea that spells dramatic
progress. and I believe the drama, 70
keep pace with the times. should make
progress rapidly In America Within the
last few years the American public has
become much more cosmopolitan and IT'S
( judgment OF theatrical works both more
discriminating and more liberal Every
tme I discover a piece with some essen
TALLY new purpose and am able 20 pro
duce q with the right players and the
right equipment throughout I feel that I
have actually accomplished something for
the cause OF theatrical advancement
IN the great American clrles there Is. 50
10 speak. a public for every sort OF play
tragic, humorous. psycnOloglc, or bor-
deung on the melOdramatic- Therefore.
I Il does not so much matter n what direc-
ton the new idea have mentioned seems
70 tend II only the idea IS truly virile
and sncere.
As 70 my method of considering plays
for production. I VIII say that 7 always
prefer 70 have the complete manuscript
al hand and not 20 make snap judgments
from outlines. Characterization and detail,
almost impossible 20 give IN scenario
form, may make what seems primarily
10 be an unplausible idea quite natural
or may ruin an idea which at first seemed
quite within reason and feasible for dra-
matte treatment DO not Ike 70 read
plays. Ike 70 have them read % me,
when 7 can sit down and devote my entire
attention 10 the matter without interrup-
ton.
The Road 70 Yesterday" and The
Witching Hour" were highly successful
new ideas in dramatic form produced by
our firm II was The new idea IN The
Return OF Eve" BY an entirely unknown
author, which led me 10 produce Il re-
Gently. Also the striking new idea in The
Vampire by two very young authors In
duced me 20 present the work am al
ways ready 20 venture much on a play
which seems 10 me 70 contain an original
theme. and VIII even overlook technical
deficiencies. believing that the Inspiration
Of new thought and real ambition VIII
reach over the footlights further than a
superior piece OF technical work founded
on tine-wOrn thoughts and treated with
the skin Of the expert hack.
am as anxious 20 help develop authors
as authors doubtless are 20 be "devel-
OPed-" This is not altruis-n. but sound
business sense. paving the way for future
productions.
II I may 90 so without laying myself
open 10 any charge Of egotism 7 should
ike 70 call attention 70 the fact THAI the
firm OF which 7 am the senior parcneF has
produced during the last few years more
plays BY unknown American authors than
any other management As our list o.
productions IS to-day the largest OF any
management n the country, We are de-
siriOUs Of always being pioneers. 50 20
speak, OF breaking ground Tor al new
feds that the drama Is 10 enter.