The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-11

An element of the public is rapidly aris- ing which desires to use it's brains in the theatre and is not content to "checx them in the cloak room" Working on this theory the drama league endeavors to gather together in nationwide organiza- ton all persons who are interested in the encouragement and support of good plays, and who aim to cultivate the taste for good drama in the young by proper study and reading of printed plays, supplying courses of study. arranged by best stu dents of drama, for reading circle clubs junior leagues, etc.
 This, in a broad sense, is the movement that has enlisted the support of nearly the country to the other Three years is a short time for any new organization 10 prove itself, and yet in that time it's influence has spread into every state of our union, into 30 important cities. to Canada and now to England.
 League indorsement is an acknowledged factor in the theatrical world It works only in support, never against, and is utterly altruistic and uncommercial When the play by Charles Kenyon, "Kindling," was first produced in New York in De- cember, 1al1. and. unheralded by any ad- vertising, 1t was lost in the overcrowded holiday season and was soon withdrawn. Realizing it's fvirility and literary quail ties the drama league tried to secure for 1t at least a fair hearing. The play was again produced, this time in Chicago, with great success. and has now been played for nearly three years in every part of the country to crowded houses. Margaret Ellington has done some of the best work of her career in the role of Maggie Schultz.
 [. As the work becomes established a chain of support can be placed at the com- it from east to west under drama league bulletin indorsement
 Out of 30 plays produced last season in Chicago, 16 were approved by our national playgoing committee and bulletined. This is no small item to the occasional theatre- goer, who aims to see only the best. He is saved the annoyance and expense of speculating for himself.
 The various divisions of the educational department are working toward the end of creating better dramatic taste throughout the country. The drama league urges the formation of drama reading circles as the most solid founda- ton for real appreciation of dramatic art. from the circle, from a group or frlends. This allows free discussion of the play. Let one of the circle read the play as simply and easily as one would read q magazine article. Attempt no dramatic effects or elocutionary reading. Endeavor to visualize the setting and action Of the play during the reading. DO not nesl- tate to stop at any point for discussion if you wait until the end of the actfyou may lose the impetus. Cut the play if vou wish. but read 1t all at one sitting, otherwise the atmosphere is lost. Dis. cussion of play naturally falls into two divisions, ethics and structure. The dis cussion of the ethics will take care of itself, but the discussing of the struc- tural art often need some ooddling. .
 The, league has a special drama study committee, composed of experts. who are glad to advise, through our local center, those clubs or groups or individuals who desire to take up the intelligent study of the drama. The chairman of our edu- cational committee, Mir. c. c. Certain, Will be glad to give you all information needed in regard to forming these circles, and suggested outlines for study may be had at public library.
 A plan to form playwrights' circle within the Birmingham center is on foot It is thought that members of such a circle might bs mutually benefited by