The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-07-08

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youngsters % b college TO study.
and some 30 to hare good time.
but there il Z school in Pittsburgh
where both Of these results are oh
tained literally - . matter OF
course. It 10 the school Of drama
of the Carnegie Institute Of Tech-
nology.
Here college course IL happily
combined with the technical train
ing for the stage. SO that the stu
dent spends only half Of his time
poring over textbooks and the
other part In the genuine atmos-
phere OF the theatre. which the
faculty has somehow managed to
transplant, without change or
breakage, from New York. In 9TH
or words, besides fulfilling the
usual requirements Of B. A. de-
gree in literary and modern Ian
guage work, and In the historical
surveys Of civilization and the
arts, this course also affords ex-
tensive training in the direction OF
personal technic. in dancing, fenc-
ing. gesture, drawing and model
making, and In elocution. 4
While history and French are
considered important, the chief
work of the student is to take his
place in the production Of plays in
the theatre. This does not neces-
sarily mean acting. although all
are given the opportunity to dem
onstrate and develop their histri-
onic abilities. 1t may mean play
wrighting, directing, painting seem
cry, shifting scenery, designing
costumes, or merely wiring the
stage for lighting. Even the young
women students take their turn at
painting scenery and planning
light effects.
OF course, the faculty might re-
sent the implication that all Of
these latter activities are not hard
work, but the students are unani-
nous in the opinion that they are
also lots of fun.
"The rehearsing is awfully diff
fcult," said one OF the students, a
nice looking lad of 20, when ques-
toned concerning the work, the
other evening, "bnt it's all so in
teresting-always something differ
ent going on. One never has a
chance to get bored, and it's rather
difficult to keep from being bored
at most colleges. don't you think
so?" he inquired seriously.
A young woman in a shimmering
evening gown, with a great deal of
makeup on her face, appeared
against the white marble back
ground of the school corridor.
Gee, that looks great, Dorothy"
exclaimed the young man, did you
make that yourselfr
NO." said Dorothy, ats one
that was made by one Of the stu
dents last year. just finished a
lovely black gown. but they
wouldn't let me wear it because
Ethel is going to wear black as the
vamp. Come on, the rehearsal is
just about to start"
Has Good Equipment.
The two hurried out a side door
and the reporter entered another.
which led to the school theatre.
This theatre Is usually a theatre,
with all the facilities and proper
ties Of a professional one. 1t seats
420 persons before a comparative
ly large stage, which is fully equip
ped with loft and grid, trapped
floor, and with complete switch
board and DINNERS and a modern
installation Of lights. There is also
an extension stage, we were in
formed by the director, which is
used for certain performances.
Behind the stage is a green room
with another stage the same size
as that in the theatre and used for
rhearsals when two productions
are working at the same time. For
some performances the steel cur
tain which hangs between the stage
and the green room can be raised
SO as to deepen the stage by about
forty feet.
Adjoining the green room are the
scenery dock and property rooms.
The school has Is sets Of scenery
in stock, all of them painted by
students and instructors. The prop
erty rooms, however, are not the
only source of supply when il
comes to furnishing sets. For ev-
cry time new production is put