The Washington herald., 1911-10-15
THEATRICAL STAR.
At SHORT RANGE
Some of the Things to Be
Found on the Stage.

From the New York Times.
After spending four years and $1,000
having my voice trained IN Berlin ana
Paris. I anticipated no trouble IN secur'
ing a small role in light opera or musical
comedy on my return to America. The
first Broadway musical director met
shook my confidence. He complimented
INV voice, said that my face and figure
would help" but turned cool when he
discovered that 1 had no stage expert
ence and no lessons in dancing, as you
see it on the American stage.
You for the chorus. my girl. until you
learn what to do with those hands and
feet. See?'
AS he reached for a match he glanced
up to see how took it.
Thank you. but l think I'll look else
where"
With head in air, stalked from his
presence. AS 1 passed through the door
1 heard him chuckle.
With the second director who uttered
this ultimatum I tried to argue. He ex-
planned at length the connection between
a flexible voice and nimble feet. Ten
day longer 1 interviewed managers and
agents. Then l selected a stage name
which I could easily lose. once had ac-
quired my precious experience, and start
ed to find chorus work in one Of the many
summer opera companies then being
formed. So one lovely June morning
found myself elbowIng my way through
a seething mob OF femininity at the en-
trance Of an Upper East Side hall, with
summer garden attached.
From snatches Of conversation carried
on about me I learned that most Of the
applicants We're experienced chorus sing
ers, ranging from burlesque shows to the
Metropolitan Opera House. Ny heart
sank. What chance had 1 against this
mass Of exp erienced stage folk.
All the Horrible Voices.
But Immediately the musical director
began to try voices I felt more hopeful
Many of the prettiest girls had no voices
at all They were curtly dismissed. un-
less they were small and youthful. when
they were told to stand aside, as they
might be worked in among the squads. q"
There were women with at least forty
years to their credit and big booming
voices that had never been trained.
There were tall, angular, tired-looking
girls whose voices were sharp and fiat.
And there were girls with absolutely no
music in their Voices-just desperation in
their faces.
The musical director, dashing through
scales and quickly waving unsuccessful
candidates aside, suddenly spied me.
Perhaps my very amazement at the un-
musical gifts l was hearing riveted his
attention. He continued to run scales
with one hand and pointed the other at
me.
Say, miss, back there, with the red
cheeks, have you got any voice at all?"
With hundred pairs of eyes watching
me, 1 took a step forward and replied
incoherently:
why, yes. sir-at least people think I
have. They say"
''Umph"' he exclaimed, motioning me
to come closer. Come from the coun-
try?"
mo. sir: Paris"
He flung me a suspicious look and
struck a chord. Some day l may be a
comic opera star, but the sight of my
name in electric letters will never thrill
me as did the silence which fell upon
| that job-hungry throng of experienced
singers when l finished my first run
Ambitions that would never be realized
hopes that would never be fulfilled, ma
terial needs that would never be salts
fed-all weIled up in the eyes that
watched me. Here was such a voice as
| they once thought might be theirs!
The musical director spoke as shortly
and sharply as ever.
You do. Give your name and addres:
to the assistant stage manager-that
man sitting at the table. Rehearsal:
| here tomorrow at 10-sharp."
We opened to a large house, but each
night of the first week business dwin
died. And each night the anxiety of the
chorus deepened. Hopes were bolstereC
up with excuses.
Then Manager skipper.
Wondering what Saturday night would
bring, we continued to rehearse Pima
fore" by day and sing Carmen" by
night. The Saturday night performance
started with everybody keyed up to th'
highest tension. The Cigarette makers
| sang shriIly The soldiers stamped
through their marches. The squads
danced jerkily. When the curtain fel
- TAI AZ MANI AD