Evening star., 1914-12-27

YOUNGEST PRIMA DONNA-"Th<
youngest prima donna on the American
stage" Miss Carolyn Thomson, who
sings in the title role in Adele" il
only nineteen, and has been upon the
stage but one short year. This is tn.
first and only part in which she has
ever appeared, and her rocketlike ele
Fation into the armament of operate
stars ts all the more remarkable mas.
much as she never intended to become
an actress.
After a liberal musical education
MISS Thomson set her heart upon q
career on the concert stage. She had
her own peculiar ideas about such a
tour. ana though scarcely out of high
schooi, she announced to her friends
mat when she made her debut, unlike
other vocalists, she intended to sing
nothing but American songs She had
become strong local favorite in Min
I'eapous' ner nome, and was soloist
Al not few of the Minneapolis SYM
phony Orchestra concerts.
with a longing to fulfill her ambi
non. her mother yielded to the girls
hesire, and. upon the advice Of several
western music experts who were CON
fident of Miss Thomson's success as n
soioist, the younger woman was
brought to New York Armed with q
pundie OF glowing letters filled with
me KIND or praise that predicted a bril-
son walked into the office of New
lork music aren't who arranged ron.
cert tours. She carried recommenda-
tions from no less competent Judges
~ nan n,, Mme. Melba, from the Governor
ot Mlnnesota. from the conductor of
the minneapolis Symphony and from
many music critics. 1t was now that
the most unexpected turn of affairs
happened. Instead of setting OUT unon
Z iong-desired career as a CONCERT arr
gear has achieved fame as a nrom;sin :.
american prima donna
HiGHBROW SCPERSTITION.-as As the
Dig ieaguer has his rabbits foot. the
lrlshman his antipathy to Friday and
dooers and most people the dread of
ID, SO the Yale Dramatic Association
has Its pet superstition.
me Yale dispeller of jinx or jlnxes is
nne form of mascot lamb
woolly. small and unutterabIv dirt -
'Lucretia" is the name OF the animal
Ihd 70 her belong the first fruits OF
me clubs efforts, whether they he
cnampagne or cabbage heads. She goes
Win the club on all trips, and al ali
position in the wings, where her headv
eyes see all and where the SIGHT ~
ner is constant inspiration, No
pfompter Is necessary when Luretia
sSA hS tHc QeStiny OF the actors from
her shrine. oii
FRANK CRAVEN'S WHO'S wHO."-
important facts: Born. Redding, Mass
rather, actor. Needed somebody ts
hli-in Silver King Realizing woulc
save drama, accepted. Went on, Par,
small. Critics said nothing, so re.
mained on stage six years. Schoo
seven years. Resumed theatrical ca.
reer. Stayed on stage since. Played
comedy. tragedy-everything excep,
burlesQue and loo in Uncle Tom,
Cabin
"Works-write vaudeville sketches
First long play. TOO Many Cooks.
Wrote 1t to amuse public and amust
self. Never saw house built on stage
before. Tried It
striking featureS-Never slept liz
parks; didn't get inspiration in subway
Up sometimes; down sometimes: broke
once. Gave away my last nickel.
Thoughts on the drama-have none
Like good plays; don't like bad ones
Idea of stage is to have large audiences
Heartily in favor Of large audiences
treat help to theaters. dramatists anC
actors. Favor formation of organiza.
tion tor encouragement of large au
diences in theater.
Think humor greatest thing in tn.