New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-16


time In the earlier times of theatricai history
Tho advice and direction Of the older ACTOR 10
Tho yonpper members OF the company ana i'll
later wears the more definite instruction gwen
by older and retired actors to students VI ."'
,taoo formed the only methods OF stage tram
inc For a long time in the history OF the the
nitro merely empirical attempts were ihaoe
toward the education of the actor IN lhe '"e
s,re and practically none in the way OF prepa-
ration before the young actor entered inc '"'
afro With the oldtime stock company syste"
there was sort of apprenticeship, like the
Mediaval Guild, where the young actor iearheo
.op,c Of the rudiments of his art from his stage
aireotor and even had little practice IN ae-
comrlishments. such as dancing. fencing or sins
ing. hut all such plans were unsystemauc a-iu
far behind the philosophy of edueationai p'o
cedure as practised in every other way.
If was not until 1884 when the American
Academy Of Dramatic Arts was founded ina. "
thoroughly organized system was pianheu i'
the preparatory training Of the wouid-oe ae'.
The changes and advances in dramatic worn
mapshp had called for finer and more hh'sheu
method of study. The founders OF the American
Academy Of Dramatic Arts sought TO comohe
the disciplinary and organized forms oil the i'o
tine Of the theatre, particularly in the rehea Sd
of plays and the etiquette and rules OF proceo"ie
of the be-t theatres with the advanced educa-
tional methods Of the day, as illustrated IN inc
higher class colleges and academies
The academy is associated with Charles Froh-
mans theatres and companies, ITS sup-t'e oeihs
the Empire Theatre Dramatic School. IL Is a'so
the only institution Of its kind that IS ch'i e'eo
BY the government, having chaf'e' "S
vate corporation from the regents OF the oh'
yersity Of the State of New York Its boaru Oh
trustees includes Franklin II. Sargent, president;
daniel Frohman Augustus Thomas, John Drew
and BENJAMIN +. Roeder. Its advisory poaro
includes David Belasco William Gillette anu
other Of the most prominent leaders OF inc
American theatre.
Aims of Academy.
TIL, academy has sought to prepare the young
actor for a thorough readiness in running all
demands and comprehending all rules Of well
conducted theatre; to train mentally. as THOR
onehly as time permitted, according to the most
advanced IDEAS of modern education, and to
give the young actor a thorough physical tram
ing according to the best ideas Of the day, al
most especially as professional school TO per-
foot the technique in use Of voice, speech, ac-
,ion and stage movement. The courses OF STUDY
therefore include a wide range OF subjects, from
,be training of freedom control and poise OF
each and every part Of the body and vocal or
ranism. a thorough knowledge and skill IN the
"details of stage representation through warren
Investigations in it's subjects, some OF which are
t..wht nowhere else except in dramatic SCHOOLS
Il this character, such life study, including
En5eryation imitation, reproduction ana COM
,osition Of human experiences as seen In every
,,ay life: the analysis OF human motives piios-
ephy and psychology Of dramatic representation
TO the large and full comprehension in the STUDY
Of human nature involved in the study OF char-
acterization. In its two years course the Sec
ond or senior, year is carried on very much ike
a stock company organizations; performances
are given frequently. matnees at the Empire
Theatre and In the evening at the Carnegie
Lyceum Theatre.
IL was found that to perfect the art OF the
young actor meant to perfect the man or woman
behind the art and In the ideals OF the work.
The cndeavor has been never to lose sight OF IL
importance OF keeping the standards OF per-
sonal endeavor as lofty and pure as possible In
short, with all the thoroughness OF technlcai
drill 1t is aimed never to lose sight OF the TACT
tina. the personal powers, the human nature OF
the individual, is the sole and entire source or
dramatic expression.
Steady Advance in Results.
With its twenty eight years OF existence the
academy looks back over the many changes In
theatrical conditions to a steady advance and
Improvement in results, as Is shown by It's many
successful graduates and the Improvement in IS