Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-10-23

ing, from two to three weeks rehearsal is
required. For the musical shows the period
Of preparation runs from six to ten weeks,
the latter requiring more time on account
Of the intricacies of groupings, of en-
semble dances and of mastering scores as
well as lines. During these periods of re-
hearsal neither the stars nor supporting
players receive any salary. Only the stage
manager and the musicians receive money
for the preparatory labors and, of course,
the stage hands. AS a rule the Fehearsals
are conducted in halls and over stores and
there are no stage hands to be paid until
the final days of work in the theater. Until
a short time ago a producer could engage
men and women for his musical show and
have them rehearse up to the very day Of
the first performance and then dismiss
them with the explanation that they were
not suited for the parts. Recently, how
ever, this condition of affairs has been
improved for the actors Now a producer
or his stage manager must decide after four
rehearsals whether he considers a man or
a woman desirable. After the fourth re-
hearsal the star OF the company or the
most humble ''broiler'' chorus girl has the
legal right TO expect to take part in the
first performance. II the producer dis
covers too late that a member OF the cast
is not suited to the part, he can discharge
that member, but only by paying the un-
satisfactory one two weeks salary.
In still another way has the law recently
taken steps to protect the members OF a
theatrical company. A few years ago the
great club held over the heads OF the chorus
girls was the fine Five minutes late at a
rehearsal might mean anything from 81 10
$40 fine while hole in ones stocking at a
public performance, a rip I'm a skirt or a
giggle while on the stage might mean a s.
reduction from the SIS or S25 weekly stipend.
These measures were taken at the discre-
! ton Of the stage manager. Today the
courts have held that a manager may fine
the members OF his company, but the
money is not lost permanently TO the Of
fender. It must be kept IN the company 3
safe and at the end OF the season. or when
the fined member leaves the organization a
demand upon the treasurer for a return OF
all monies withheld must be compiled with
| Thus the fine today Is nothing more than
a savings account for the players.
The playwnghts outlay in brains does not
bring him so large a monetary share In the
! success OF his play as the producer re-
oeives, but his profit does not entail the
/ same amount OF Worry and the harrassing
details OF managing a company Of highly
excitable and high strung people. A young
] playwright without a reputation receives
anywhere from TO per cent OF the weekly
/ gross receipts Of the box office as a roy
I atty while dramatists, who are IN a posi-
I ton 20 dictate terms with the producers
/ often receive as high at 10 per cent OF the
proceeds. The sliding scale for royalties Il
becoming universal-a small percentage or
the frs few thousand dollars per week, Z
larger percentage for greater drawing
power and finally a Srnoely royalty II tn,
play makes $1,000 or $1,000 a week
These possible profits are the lure which
floods every managers office with hun
dreds Of thousands OF worthless manu-