The Detroit times., 1917-10-18
Amateur Theatricals
nv n. ADDINCrON RRUCE
Author >of The Riddle 81 Person
atty. Psychology and
farenthood. etc.

During the last three or -four
Years and in many sections OF the
country there has been noticeable
revival ~ Interest m amateur the
atrlcals
More amateurs arc now acting
than ever before and IN uncommon
ly high.class plays This isE TACT
of educational value 10 the com
nuniiies IN which they give per
tormances. and 10 Is "a fact OF edu
cdtiunal value 10 the amateur nc
tors themselves
From m educational standpoint
in TACT amateur theatritals are $50
valuable 90 those taking part nm
'heW thar 3 hone steadily mrrtas
ina number of people viii get 10.
seiher 10 form amateur acting com
paules.
could wish that in every com
munity. NO matter how small. az
least one company eft amateur ac.
tors might be organized
For ono thing, amateur acting rs
OF real and great help in developing
the power OF self expression
There are many people including
really talented people who are
handicapped IN every day affairs by
reason ot inability 90 express them
selves we'll
They sprak badly because they
have never been taught 90 speak
correctly
Possibly ihey are addicted 90 the
use % slang Possibly their prin
afF IA f.I.
their words clearly Or possibly
they are weak in the requirements
of grammar
These are defects which cause
chose bonn they meet to rate them
below their true worth and go pay
little heed 90 what they have 90
say
n only thoy took pains 10 i'm
prove their manner of speaking
their chances for recognition and
/ appreciation would De- markedly in.
creased Amateur acting offers hem
I an easy and agreeable means for
/ raining Ia solf-cXpras
Oteer people are handicapped by
abnormal self consciousnes
They mag even siamWer blush
and otherwise behave awkwardly
when they feel themselves a center
~ attention As one unfortunate
said 20 me
When / go into company act
Ike a perfect fool | 90 NOT know
whether am standing on my head
y -r+ff ft's--i + H.
uieus
People Hike this. II must be ad
mtued would az lrst find q hare
F 10 take part ia amateur theatricals
Vet if only .aey would take part
and would pers ere in the effort to
acgut themselves credifably on the
stage. they would De- greatly helped
toward hehs ing naturally when OF
the stage
Amateur acting. again tends %
( develop the power for sympathetic
! matchmaking III others
Taking different parts. throwine
/ himself enthusiastically ato fhf
/ task 0f making his dinerent charac
ters realistic ;he amateur actor
4 necessarily gains Increased insigh'
/ into human nature
Where before & might have beeF
~ Ne sFof him . npt NIgI
I SELF IN me other fellow pJHfr ~
business transaction. ii now BE-
/ comes possible Tor hIh 20 do fhis
And in proportion as p becomes
( possible Tor him 20 DO this. he tind.
b easier 30 transact bushes
smoothly and 20 The mutual s,' 3
+ faction ~ himself and Of hose wtt
whom he deals Amateur acting
chat a. TO say. cuifiyates fhe 8r
faculty ol imagination thar ind
+ pensable factor IN the winning 81
success and happiness
Finally apart from ~ direct edu
cauonsl and cultural igntftanes
amateur acting De- 90 be- recommend
i "a as -ocable ana wholesome
/ mcaus - recreation
This surely no fhe least az 30.
I han fits u an age ~ tense aha corn
: plpv as ours has become.