The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-01
BY MRS. JOHN M. ERODE Wublicity Chairman for Waterbur.
 V..s~aAm

SVA pSAtu4 VI 4ilUxS StsaA 0 NtVaStl years the Junior League Of Water bury has been extremely interested In the field of entertainment for children. For the happy laughter of our children brings joy to all of us and to provide the correct amuse- ment to provoke such laughter serves as an excellent undertaking for our league members.
 In the early years the Waterbury League was one of the four Connec- ticut Leagues which formed an ex- change group. These leagues, Hart- ford, Bridgeport, Stamford and Wa terbury each produced their own plays--usual1y one sometimes more e year-in their respective commu- nitios and then exchanged perform anceS with the other cities. This was more interesting than practical, for often the weather or an epidemic was against us-one time Q truck strike prevented transportation-so this plan was discontinued, but not without regret-for such Q practice has brought more and varied plays to our youthful audiences.
 Following this we brought profess slonal groups to Waterbury or mem- bers themselves put on several plays a year, but again indictment wealth. CT, of you remember the blizzard of '3D or Q good attack of measles often kept the youngsters from attending. Small audiences are no encouragement to even the most eager group of players-so another idea was attempted; to take the en- tertainment directly to the children for over year group of our members trooped to various schools and churches in the city with the scenery in their cars and gave la performances for varied number of children, During this time several of our members had either spoken or acted over the radio and our in- terest in the possibilities of going on the air became tantalizlng thought in our minds.
 We were amateurs always, but we ever tried to make our performances aS professional and successful as possible, In acting play, scenery and costumes and the personal touch of seeing the actors count for SO much-such would not be the case in radio and so to give the good performances we had always strived lor.--it would be necessary to make q thorough study of the subject be- fore We undertook any radio pro- gram. It was thought desirable to find the best possible type of script one that would appeal to our young audience, now listeners, not observers, and learn to present these SO correctly that we would do jus tioe to the importance of radio.
 In order to do this our players group-now the radio group" took an extensive course in radio acting and technique. First of all we learn ed how to speak before the micro phone, how to use our voices so that the personality of the character be- ing played would not be spoiled. Whereas the children might have been lost in the enchantment of lovely costumes or scenery in our stage performances now we had only the excellence Of our stories to ap- peal to them-and that could be ruined If not properly rehearsed, timed and acted.
 Much time was spent in testing the voices for various parts, so that the players would not sound mis- cast. It was important to know how to throw your voice when to speak into the microphone, and how to SC und as If you were walking away without actually leaving the micro- phone. Everything had to be done with the voice and 1t took serious study for us to learn.
 Then, too, there was a whole new field of acting in sound effects and this is fascinating and very difficult for it often takes many attempts to find just the right object to convey to the audience the desired sound.
 But everyone worked hard, happy in the thought that radio-with its great scope-would take our enter tainments to large group of chil- dren. Those who were sick in bed could now listen at home. Those who lived too far away to come into town could just turn on their radios. Mothers needn't worry about their youngsters going out on rainy day only the players need worry then -and they are proud that only the severity of the storm on Feb. IA which snowbound several of our group stopped any of the perform ances. With the kindness and CO., operation of our local station 12 of our members have worked for a period of 16 weeks to give series