The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-12-11
Bridgeport To Have
 Open Air Amphitheatre
City Wide Campaign Soon to Be Launched to Get
 Funds

That Bridgeport will soon have an open-air theater is almost an estab- lished fact judging from the interest being stimulated by Dr. Louis Smlr- now, well-known playwright and pro ducer of amateur plays in this city The project has already been ad- vauced to the stage where the hearty indorsement of the Chamber of Com merce has been accomplished, this or Eanization progressive toward Bridge ports welfare, readily appreciated what valuable addition such build iae would be to the community at large, and that it would be in direct line with Bridgeports recfeat1ve ac- tivities and desires.
 The progressive Doctor Smirnow is making does not stop at thls point however, as a very enthusiastic meet ing was recently held at which Mayor C ifford B. Wilson was appointed chairman of the citizens committee in charge, and Mrs. H. Willard F'leck as head of the women's committee for the construction of the prospective arena.
 Plans have been under way for some time and arrangements formu- lated whereby necessary funds will be realized to defray all expenses m volved in the undertaking The pub lie will be advised within a few days as to the intended means of gather ing this money which will probably be a city-wide campaign.
 Although the design of the theater has not been definitely decided upon as yet, several blueprints have re- ceived consideration. It will in all probability be constructed of concrete. presenting a pronounced picture of Greek architecture with it's Dorian and Corinthian patterns. The seating capacity will be governed by the size of the building and the committee in tends having the seats so gra duated as to afford a naudience absolute comfort in getting a clear view of the sage.
 Very few cities can boast of an open-air theater and with the mate rialization of one here there will only > he two in the New England states New Hampshire has been on the ma I with one for several years.
 Doctor Smirnow has been very ac' tive in the production of open-ail plays at lBeardsley Park. having pre- sented ''The Masque of Shakespeare and the "Feast of Freedom" Botf received enormous support and the author was not only commended fol the excellency of the presentation: themselves, but for hisf fcleverneSs a! a playwright to exercise his own fac ulties solely in welding them together
 The doctor has always been a lead ing exponent in advocating and work i..g for things in connection with mu nicipal interests. He is familiar witt conditions confronting many people il the city who barely able to fur nish proper nourishment to their fam
 
 about fee of admission to our play houses for a little diversion and rec reation from their duties of toll. Witt the establishment of an open-air the } ter various plays can be given il which our unusual large quota o amateur actors and actresses can par ticipate and thus offset the all worl and no play that is so prevalent il many cities. Doctor Smirnow is thor oughly convinced that Bridgeport ha within its borders ample talent t stage some spectacular plays and is with keen unselfish interest that h promotes recreation and want Bridgeport marked as a city 10 b looked up to as a leader and a be liever in everything for the benef and comfort of its people,
 There is really no suitable plac in this city for open-air entertain ments or ceremonies where regula indoor theater commodities can had. and an open-air theater will b found useful in many ways during tn big doings held here from time | time. +.I...