The Washington times., 1924-01-11
WESTERN HI II
PUP|LSBU|LD
PLAY
Work Of Various Students Is
Woven Into Comedy Under
Construction.
BY SYLVIA sEDGEWICK.

I
Miss Margaret Belle Merrill,
drama teacher at Western, Is trying
out a unique cooperative play-writ-
ing plan by which her students are
learning to write plays. This plan 10
being tried out as a culmination Of
the half-year work in the class, and
the play at present under construc-
ton is being written by twenty-five
students.
Last week the characters for the
play were selected from the twenty
five submitted by the class. This
week twenty-five comedy episodes
are being written, the best ones 20
be chosen for the play. All the
scenes have been built in this way,
in many instances mere phrases be-
ing taken from a pupils work and
fitted into a particular scene.
When, the play Is finished II good
enough, 1t will be presented before
the entire school, The students will
plan the costumes and the scenery.
Miss Merrill says that the students
are enthusiastic over the work and
find their cooperative workshop
play-producing class source Of real
entertainment.
Five girls Of the class form the
COMMITTEES. They are, Dorothy
Smith, secretary Of the Dramatic AS
sociation, May Brigham, Margaret
Wilson, Katherine Nesbitt and Fran.
ces Scofleld.
The st. Andrews Players met
last night to rehearse for Among
the Breakers" by George M. Baker.
under the direction Of Captain 4.
Toombs. The names Of some Of the
members who rehearsed are Frank
Conway, Clark Conway, Philip Di
mon, Jenny Howlitt. Ethel Burgess.
Wilma Kemper, Helen Griffith.
Madeline Benton and Chaplin Det-
weller.
THE Passing Of the Third Floor
Back" will be produced by the
Art Club Players the last of Janu-
ary. The play was chosen for the
Christmas entertainment because of
its spiritual appeal, but a full pro
gram prevented it's production. Mrs.
Theodore Hardy Is directing the
cast. Those taking part are Mr.,
and Mrs. Theodore Hardy, Maurice
Jarviss. Addison Smith, Martin
Scrannage, Miss Hattie Murphy
Miss Rosalind Porter, Miss Maude
Hunt. Miss Ethel Prince, lie Grande
Perce. The Art Club Players have
q definite program before them. In
carrying it out they try. to present
plays in which there Is an idea for
their audiences to carry home with
them
The Merrill Club Of Eastern
High School IL planning to give
the cadets series of suppers next
week. Companies A and d will be
entertained Monday. B and r on
Thursday, and companies G and r
on January 21. The committee in
charge Of the suppers includes Miss
Helen Warfield, Miss Marie Moore
and Miss Doris Gary.
The basketball team also win
be given supper by the Merrill
Club. followed by a dance, at the
close Of the season. Miss Mary
Tarbell Is chairman OF the commit.
tee.
The st. Patrick Players will
produce the broadway Prince at
Loyola College In baltimore, for the
benefit OF st. Catherine Home.
Tuesday night. The play was writ
ten BY Dennis =. Donnell and d.
rected by him. Yt 10 n two-act
comedy with music; the story Of
musical comedy star and a prince.
In the cast are Miss II. Murray,
Royal Foster, Benny g. ConneiI,
william B. Cross, Alice Cruch, Har-
riett Murphy, Ralph O'Brien, Ben
Mc1reth. Arthur y. White and
DanA s0WfA -.