The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-12

At first my mind lowered around the
visionary millionaire, who was to SUBJ
sidize our enterprise. But soon ] came
to agree with Mary Shaw. that II Is
more important for a million women to
contribute 81 than for one woman to
give 100000.
"All over New York there are women's
theatre clubs, drama leagues, &C.. en-
couraging the study of and attendance
upon the best plays offered by the exist
ing arrangements. These women's or
CARNATIONS regard as an excellent
preparation for the active work of a
greet Woman's National Theatre.
THE first step? Well, we must pro-
duce an artistic drama, with competent
players. and gradually gain the public
confidence. We cannot at once main
tain Broadway standards Of expensive
and gorgeous production, but / would
rather begin in a hall on the East Side
with benches, and draw unsalaried act
ors from the people, as Lady Gregory
did in Ireland when she first developed
the Irish Players. than merely spend
money on plays manufactured to catch
the public fancy.
THE parent company in New York
which we shall train, will form SUBJ
| sidiary companies in other cities. AL
ready We have authorized Mrs. Stadt.
muller in San Francisco to form q por-
ton Of the Woman's National Theatre
in that city. and Vera McCord has lee
tured for us there. The producing COM
pany in New York city always will gov
ern the standard of production.
Everywhere wOmen-actressee, who
know the inside Of the theatfe. and 9TH
ers who comprise the audiences outside
are rallying to us enthusia stically
Gertrude Elliott Lady Forbes Robert
SOM sent $3.50 the moment she heard
about the enterprise for ten shares of
stock. She now is on our board of
directors.
THE fact that We are strictly limited
in our productions TO American authors
and American actors should do away
with any possible antagonism TO us on
the part OF the commercial managers
We wish to AFFORD field for American
genius, which so often nowadays is
stified because Of lack Of atmosphere
and opportunity. Thousands Of our
young people Of talent become ex.
patriates because they are obliged to
go to Europe TO study. The constant
cry nowadays among the theatrical
producers lis that there is a dearth of
good acting material and attractive
dramas. We believe that we are going
TO create a source of supply for them"
one of the leaders of this movement
Is Edith Ellis Furness, who Is a produc.
Ing manager. actress and playwright.
She has great faith in the project, and
desires II to bring back to the ranks
OF theatre patrons the large class of
citizens who have abandoned the play
mouse as luxury beyond their means;
10 give TO the awakened desire of the
public-at minimum scale Of prices
the truest Interpretation Of American
! life through the most human Of all arts
the stage.
All Of the women interested in the
movement lay stress on the same ideals
said Keith Wakeman. the California
actress: DO accentuate the idea thai
We are striving 10 give the greatest
good to everyday people for the very
least sum Of money. This should be
peculiarly the aim in democracy.
we want to find and produce the best
material. the best actors. the best
acting"
|. Jessie Bonstelle is pointed TO by the
other stockholders and members as a
living example OF woman who runs a
municipal theatre. Here We have a
reputation OF the arguments that a city
cannot succeed with theatre of its
own, and that woman cannot manage
IL" they exclaim.
IN northampton, Mass, is the beau.
tlful building which houses a true peo.
pies theatre. Prices run from 20 to 75
cents at night and the matinees are
much cheaper. 4 local merchant who
had travelled much in Europe gave
100000 to subsidize the theatre,
smaller towns suffer much from bad
bookings. when the great theatrical
syndicates quarrel. The citizens of
small communities like this-particu-
larry when there are college people in
large numbers-resent having low class
plays forced upon them. Jessie Bon
STEELE Is an actress, producer and a
manager. She also Is a pretty young
woman. Probably she is best known
recently for her production of Little
Women" which charmed the country
by its fidelity and is an artistic delight.
Miss Bonstelle Is optimistic and has
faith In men. She does not believe that
the Woman's National Theatre will be
feminine undertaking any longer than
Is necessary to infuse new ideals into the
people. She believes taat The most COM
merciai theatrical manager would pre-
Ter clean play II the public demanded
II. Again and again she urged upon me
to accentuate The necessity Of a feeling
OF responsibility on the part of theatre
goers
1t all depends upon the non-profes-
sional people," she said, Here's where
the women come in. II three fourths
OF the patrons of the theatre are women
they WELD an enormous power and can
set the standard and make or break any
production. Every manager ought to
be glad to have one municipal theatre
In his community. 1t creates good
plays and actors, which benefit him in
the long run.
"Our municipal theatre is In charge of
a self-perpetuatlng board. among whose
members are the Mayor of the city and
the president OF Smith College. 1t was
woman who actually inspired the
founding Of the municipal theatre. Miss
Ludella Peck, a dramatic teacher In the
college. We have a repertoire or resi-
dent company. My official position Is
that OF director Of the production Of
plays. Last season we ran for thirty-