The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-04-28
IDEA
IS MAKING
Continued From Page One.

in their w particular communities.
To this end every physical detail is
marked by scientific simplicity. Seats,
stage, scenery and settings are all
planned SO that they car be repro
duced by any Intelligent person with
lumber, hammer, nails and q pot Of
paint, That, in effect is the whole
idea.
The college is not considering profits,
but only ways and means Of socializing
| the country life Of North Dakota to
an extent that will keep boys and
girls from quitting the farms for the
cities. The Little Country Theatre
is merely an experiment station to
prove the plans feasibility in connec-
halls, store Easements, living rooms,
and even barns.
Alfred G.. Arvold is the man behind
he idea, and like all good ideas, it did
not flash ros the background Of a
dream, but came as the result Of hard
thought.
AS a graduate of the University Of
Wisconsin he was familiar with that
states use Of its school buildings as
social centers, but his study Of North
Dakota brought the need of some
thing more intimate, more ~far-reach-
ing and more definite. He found 1t in
the phrase home talent"
The Proportions Of the Plan
Here was something that would not
only gather people into friendly
groups, but which would give them a
specific thing to do when they were
gathered-a thing with participation in
| it, a lot Of expression and a direct
personal interest for every auditor.
President John H. Worst came to the
front with a large hall ON the second
floor Of the administration building,
| which meant not only home, perrna-
nence and authority, but the use Of the
entire student body as disciples and
apostles. Not such queer business for
membered that there is small use
teaching farming unless people can be
induced to stay on farms.
The grand opening in February
was the big event Of he North Dakota
year, and John Kendrick Bangs and
| Richard Harding Davis were the play
wrights honored by productions. AS
the venture gains in strength, however.
here will be 1nsistence pon home
talent" plays as we'll as home talent"
actors, for nothing is more essential to
the success Of the plan han that each
group shall be made entirely dependent
upon itslef. One-act plays will be the
official medium for expression, since
they offer fewer difficulties in presen-
1 LdIlOu LIN Ill SO1llROSALLoLS
vaudeville turns will also be intro
duced, so that the large foreign popu-
lation may be called upon for its rich
store of music, dancing and folklore.
THE single number will permit the
Tapping Of this undeveloped vein.
Prof. Arvold likewise contemplates
nationality programs that will por"
tray the life, customs n costumes,
work and pleasures OF the land from
which the immigrant ha come. In
such fashion the new Americans will
| secure a needed expression, while the
native born will gain in breadth and
understanding, all to the end OF greater
unity and friendliness.
Even though the Little Country
ITheater'' is scarcely started as yet, the
lreople Of North Dakota are refusing to
wait fer the spread Of the students.
Every performance Is witnessed by
lenvoys and delegations, eager to see,
to learn, to report, and 1t Is only a
question of months when a score OF
little country theaters will be firing
away at dullness and monotony.
A Chance for Other States
Tt looks like a big idea. There is no
question about the pressing nature OF
the country life problem. The annual
caused by the revolt Of the young
aeainst the intolerable duHness OF
rural life: is costing the nation many
needed harvest.
In addition to the economic consider
alton, authoritative commissions have
fixed on the stupid monotony Of coun-
try existence as a prime factor in the
alarming increase in vice and crime
for even when it does not poison al
the source, it sends a host Of eager
innocent boys and girls to the dangers
of an unguarded life in the cities.
The Little Country 'Theater' Is q
funnel through which sone color and
charm may be poured into this drab-
ness and discomfort. It Is a chance to
laugh and play. sf.a.
Since Prot. Arvold has not copy
righted his idea. there is no reason
phy other states should permit NORTH
dakota TO ~monopolize a good thing.
Homestead News.