Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-08-11
Lee Sterrett Tells Secret
Of Character Acting
Newark Favorite Stock Actor
Appears at keeney's in
PIayIet.
BY. L. H. BEssELL.

Welcomed back to the stage of this
city. with which he has been identi-
fed for several seasons, Lee Sterrett
Is appearing at the Keeney Theatre
for a special engagement of three
days in the intensely dramatic play
let. Justice That his followers
have not forgotten his excellent work
while he was with the Payton Stock
Company at the Orpheum Theatre,
and later at the Payton Theatre, now
the Keeney, was evidenced by the
large crowds that sought admission
to the theatre and started applauding
when the card announcing Mr.. Ster-
rett was displayed.
THIS Is Mr. Sterrett's first engage
nent on the vaudeville stage, ana
after his first turn he confessed that
he felt much like the little boy VINO
sees his mothers shadow reflected on
the wall as he Is enjoying stolen Jam
in the preserve closet.
Mr.. Sterretts part IN the sketch is
In line with his work as character
actor; and, from the thunderous APP
plause given him as the curtain rams,
ii is certain that the audience appre-
Gated his abilities in this line.
Character acting is not only art
with Mr.. Sterrett, but 1t might even
be called a mania, for he Informed
me after he came off the stage that
he devotes considerable time when
not on the stage n studying human
nature and the human emotions, with
their effects on different people.
To be successful character ACTOR,
Mr.. Sterrett declares, one must be a
-, nf hum anifV. me
making-up for the part is also an es-
sential feature, he asserts.
.If the part is not built up right
In the makeup all the acting in the
world will be of no avail, while an
excellent makeup will often carry
through a poor actor" Mr.. Sterrett
confiied to me. ''I ofttimes come to
NV dressing room when / am prepsr-
ing for a certain character and try
different make-ups until l find one
that seems to ut the part. After
have secured this advantage l start
the rehearsal of the lines for my own
benefit, but I keep away from al
fixed rules, for I believe that they
make fine character appear stereo-
typed.
nIt IL also necessary for any actor
TO feel his way: that is. he must
closely observe the audience and try
to learn just how it likes the por-
travail of the character. Outlines by
doing this an actor is able to change
his style in time to win over the au-
dience, which he might have other
wise had criticising his work ad-
versely."
That Newark has warm spot IN
the heart of Mr.. Sterrett is certain.
for he said that he will never forget
his DAYS as a stock actor in this city,
ana will always look back upon them
as a particularly bright spot in mis-
life.
"At any time / would willingly re-
turn to Newark for stock or vaude-
VILE engagement, for the audiences
are appreciative and friendly" SAID
Mr. Sterrett. During my entire stay
In this city cannot say that l DID
not enjoy every moment of 1t, for II
I did II would be q great injustice to
the hospitality of the people and to
myself"
Comparing the work in stock ana
ON the road Mr.. Sterrett said that
everything was In favor of the for
mer, for then the actor ~ actress had
an opportunity to enjoy home life, to
become acquainted with the patrons
Of the theatre, whoSe duty 1t was 1oE