The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-03-19
NEGRO ACTOR HOLDS
PLACE OF HONOR AT ORA
MA LEAGUE DINNER.
Is Wildly AppIauded ThruOut
Function. In Short Speech
He Asks Greater Opportunity
For Expanding Negro Talent.

New York. ~ Y, March 17.-Charles
SeroT 81 Gipin Negro star ta9rtd Of t5 THE EN-
dinner Of the Drama League in the
Grand Ball room of the Hotel Nc
Alpin last night. He was cordially re-
ceived by the six other guests of hon
or and acclaimed by 500 guests who
attended by subscription and many
tables in either the Grand Ballroom
or an adjoining ballroom, which was
finally thrown open to accommodate
them.
Unforeseen circumstances prevented
the attendance of three of the ten
guests of honor chosen by a vote of
the directors of the Drama League for
their contributions to the American
attended were: Charles S. Gilpin, se-
lected for his work in "The Emperor
Jones'; Dudley Digges. for his work
in "Heartbreak House; .Gilda Varesi'
for her work in Enter Madame; Lii
onel Atwell for his work in "Debu-
rau': Lee Simonson, the scenic artist
for 'Deburau"; Margaret Seven, for
her use of masks in dancing, and
and Delilah," Owing to illness David
Belasco, the director, and Fred Stone,
who was voted the greatest humorous
actor on the American stage, were un-
able to attend. Eugene oNeill; author
was invited. was out of town.
Gilpin was seated at table near
the center of the room. Gilda Varesi
was at his left, and the place on his
right was occupied by Mrs. Rollin
Kirby, a director OF the Drama Leag-
ue. The other places at the table
were taken by Miss Elsie Mackaye,
Mrs. John w Baruch and Mrs. Vernon
Radcliffe, all members of the Drama
League.
Irish Give Way to Dinner. .,..
80 10
number who attended the dinner the
hotel management was forced to make
emergency arrangements. The hall
adjoining the grand ballroom
the Brothers of the Irish Revolution.
Word was conveyed to them
that favor would be conferred If
they postponed or adjourned their
meeting to another room, so that the
two adjoining halls might be thrown
The Brothers of the Irish Revolu-
tion granted the favor gladly. When
the doors were opened for their exit
there was an unavoidable collision
between the Drama League guests,
who were overflowing the lower halls
of the hotel and the departing Irish
sympathizers.
In the struggle to secure and de-
posit wraps at the same cloakroom
one woman tainted, dresses were torn
were soiled.
The cynosure of attraction in the
grand ballroom was a small, simply
decorated table in the center, at which
Charles s. Gilpin was seated. From
the interest evinced in this table from
the beginning of the dinner until its
conclusion and from the applause and
attention which Gilpins address re-
ceived it was plain that the star of
Emperor Jones" was also the star of
the annual banquet of stars.
Kenneth McGowan. dramatic critic
and director of the league, acted
as POSTMASTER. When he rose to in
troduce the Negro actor a hush fell
over the room. After reviewing Gill
pins work briefly Mr.. MCGOWAN,
turned to Mr.. Gilpin and said simply,
81 take pleasure in introducing the
greatest actor of his race, Mr. Charles
s. Gilpin."
Ovation for GlIpin.
A thunder of handclapping greeted
this introduction. The applause last
ed three minutes.
When it had completely died out
Mr.. Gilpin rose, a bit nervously. Sew
Continued on page S)