New-York tribune., 1921-11-13
BY ROBY PINE

most afluent members OF the theatrical world
found their first abiding place in New York i'll
Theatervile. One OF the present top-notch
stage directors told the writer that when he
first came to New York he lived in $1.50 hall
room. did his own washing in the bathroom at
night and escaped detection. Where cooking
is permitted the same hall room brings So and
$40 to-day. Many of the rooncrs come back
year after year for short time. Perhaps
landady has been kind to them, or there may
be sentimental associations with the house,
Such place was Martins, the house on Forty
fifth Street now occupied by the George M.
Cohan offices. Numerous grateful roolners
came back there year after year, and many
who lived there now see their names shine on
the old house from the nearby electric lights,
for now there are six theaters in that block.
The proximity to the Offices Of managers,
agents, brokers and the theaters, thus saving
carfare and the time spent on cars, as we'll as
the facility for reaching "show" in five min
utes time are the attractions to the inhabi-
tants of Theaterville. 1t is the greatest pleas
ure, as well as the life study, of those connected
with the theater to spend their spare time see
ing plays. The work of the finished players
who are usually cast in Broadway productions,
watching the handling of each character in an
ticipation of some day playing the part in a
second company or in stock production, is as
important to the actor as the new model to
the modiste.
AS to the "nutty' quality of the inhabitants
of Theatervile, when an outside person under
stands the uncertainties Of theatrical life he
cannot be harshly censured for his classified
ton of the irregular workers. On the other
side, if persons persevere to the utmost limit
in a chosen professional they believe in them
selves and their ability to do certain work, and
believe in it to the point of starvation; if they
go on hopefully week after week wearing out
the rugs Of producers and agents, soaring the
souls of elevator men and Office girls and caus-
ing the paving contractor to anticipate new
job on Broadway, and seldom reaping any re-
suits, is it the persistency which results in be-
ing designated as genius? In the face of ex-
listing conditions, call it what you will, but
while enunciating kindly remember that if it
were not for these super-hopeful souls we
could not have theaters, for the members of
the profession constantly employed during the
working season, year after year, can be count
ed in a short time in the legitimate theater.
They fare better in vaudeville.
Not long ago a producer was engaging a
cast of nine people, and 1000 persons applied
to the casting director for positions! The
uncertainty of these positions when secured
staggers the mind of the regular Garner in the
business world. There are the weeks Of re-
hearsing, part of the time without pay, the
out-of-town "try-out,". and perhaps a try at
Broadway Or perhaps a storehouse has been
secured before the cast has reached New York.
Of a hundred plays tried out last year out
side of New York, only fifteen had a Broad
way run. Therefore innumerable actors were
compelled to seek new positions, and many Of
them did not have more than five weeks work
last year. Business men who have their ears
close to the acting situation say that if the
energy wasted by the acting profession were
turned into more productive channel stage
folk would be highly successful business men
and women. What would the acting profess
sion be without these never down souls? To
their mimic world hopefulness is the greatest
asset