The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1922-05-19
Alvin Bearse
Joins ark
Players
Former Y. NJ. G.. A. Di-
rector Leaves Work
Will Be Seen in Next
Weeks Play, The ST.
lent Witness"

Announcement was made today of
the acquisition of Alvin w. Bearse
FORMER Y M. C. A. director Of recrea-
ton and industry to the present
splendid cast of Park players. Mr.
Bearse, during the past thr3e and a
half years. has taken complete charge
of the musical. dramatic and athletic
J programs at the ~" and is in large
8 way responsible for the popularity of
amateur plays given by factory dra-
matte clubs. Under his direction and
/ brought to light and oramatics have
become. a favorfte form of recreation.
The former recHeation director has
enjoyed a varied career, embracing
paetion of High School course in his
native town Of Belmont, Mass, Mr..
Bearse enteEed Amherst Aggies.
There he was especially prominent in
aatnieaGs' particularly in football
baseball end track, and no less of a
star In dramatics, in fact before the
complexion of his Amherst course, he
ran away to Lynn, Mass, where he
secured a. position with a. stock COM
pany/ playing Juvenile roles
Many Activities.
AFTER several seasons with this COM
Pany he felt the need of more educa-
lion and so entered Boston Univer-
.trades. Besides taking the regular
collegiate course, Mr.. Bearse was in
structor in the dramatic department
of the New England Conservatory,
and the College of the Spoken Word
and special correspondent of the
Boston Traveller and Boston Post.
. However, the stage soon called
again and Mr.. Bearse spent the next
few seasons in ChautauQua work.
Upon the conclusion of this engage
ment he became principal of the Pratt
Free School in Middleboro. Prior to
coming to Bridgeport he was director
OF personnel at the Stanely works in
New Britain, and director of athletics
in New Britain High school
Had Many Friends.
Local people are well aware of
the splendid work which the retiring
term, and many theatrical aspirants
will feel the loss of the trained, and
thoughtful hand which has guided
them through the. presentation of
numerous comedies and dramas.
Directing plays which have casts
composed of young people in industry
has been a special joy to me- said
Mr. BeaTse today. 81 have seen many
acter and self-conhdence by the
means of dramatics. The latter has
brought out that individuality and
strength which has been hitherto
locked up inside.
The professional stage has been
commerciahzed too much. Beauti-
fu1 people who have no dramatic
ability have been put on to it and be-
cause they are unable TO handle force
full roles, lines would be written for
them. The order has been changed
and instead of an author writing a
play and then finding an actor to por-
tray the role, the physically attract
i've person has been found and lines
written for him or her." he con-
tinued-
1T is my firm belief that amateur
dramatics and Little Theatres will
be the means of theatrical recon
struction, and will bring back a stage
which will boast of people of the
cal1bre of Edwin Booth, Mrs Ffske
Ellen Terry or Margaret AngIin'
During the first few weeks of his
present engagement MIR. Bearse will
play utility roles but he will, how
ever, appear in next weeks presen-
tatton of THE Silent Witness