New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-28

leaves New York and are not a subject OF
hand 10 mouth dealings.
What the Advance Agent Does
T EANING actors and play out OF considcra-
II ton. thcadyancc agent has the fate Of the
ATTRACTION in his hands Its business Is made
or unmadc bv him. His duties are many and
various: first. TO see that the show printing
has arrived. This printing Is shipped by the
photographer. who is also furnished with
route sheet, direct 10 the thcatcr Satisfied
OF this. the advance agent gets up his adj
vance notices. interviews editors and some
times gives out interviews on his own ac-
count, when he can get them IN. Tie Is one
week ahead Of his show. and II II Is playing
week stand the advance agent waits for
the company TO arrive IN order 10 confer
with the business manager as 10 prospects.
The advance agent also furnishes the
house stage carpenter with "a scene plot, or
when the company carries all It's own scenery
it is called a line and carpenters plot.
This tells how many lines ropes are ncccS-
Sary TO hang the drops and borders on and
over the stage. and how many stage hands
II will take to handle the show, usually
four on each side. and how many men in
the flies 10 run the stage: also calcium. gas
| light effects to be used throughout the play:
4 plot showing what properties are to be
| furnished by the thcatcr. In the old DAYS,
when road companies travelled without a
stick OF scenery, the house furnished every
| thing. This writer has seen Edwin Booth
in ~lIamlct at the Walnut Street Thcater
Philadelphia, when the stage for the play
ers' scene" was 4 kitchen table with a green
balzc cloth thrown loosely over it, and when
the cloth worked of it left the pseudo stage
bare. But those days are happily gone in
first class thcatcrs. Clear stage" on scene
plot means that the company carries all its
own scenery.
II the advance agent Is Il hustler, he will
personally make tour Of the town and see
what kind OF showing the bill poster has
given HIM. also engage extra windows of
empty stores, and get photos of the star or
company shown wherever il is possible. These
window privileges. as they are called. are
paid for sometimes in cash and sometimes
in free tickets. If there is a very careful
stage manager with the company. for each
week stand he will call a rehearsal Of the en-
tire company on Monday morning. in order
that the actors may try their voices IN and
become accustomed 10 the new auditorium.
Each thcatcr has its peculiar acoustic quail
ties and defects. Then. when the first per
Torrance comes of, the company will feel
more At home
The advance agent also hands the bust
Hess manager document called an advance
agents advice sheet. This contains the date
the attraction opens, number OF perform
dnccS name 81 thcatcr and town or city.
He also incoScs the contract made with the
local manager ESQ called to distinguish him
from the travelling managcrl. terms Of con-
tract, orchestra and carpenters call. SupcrS'
call II one Is necessary, the contract for
hauling baggage and scenery in and out.
amount Of company share OF newspaper
advertising. "A resume Of the number If seats
in the thcatcr and the prices charged for
tickets. the stage dimensions. which include
what electric light system IS used. name of
the next stand the railroad bv which com
pany leaves town and the hour. the names
Of the hotels IN the stand. and professional
rates made for actors. This sheet is cXrlu-
siycy for the use Of the business manager
The "c,ll which is posted lust inside of
the stage door gives the actor all informa-
ton thar concerns him The actors are also
furnished with printed cards showing the
route booked for about month ahead: and
IN ID company that Is booked solid for the
season route card ls furnished each member
oi the company. howing the first stand and