The Freeman

THE PROSPECTS OF AN ACTORS' ORGANIZATION.

Finally, when all the public display of actors who have been ambitious and rich enough to start something for the sake of their own personal notoriety in the newspapers, and those who have been lured into saying something, also is over, we now commence at the beginning point of a scattering field of disconcerted actors to establish an organization. In the first place, before any steps are taken, all actors should have faith in the man who undertakes the work. If he is found to possess the required ability, and his position in life is a guarantee of his integrity, then it will be the duty of every actor to support his efforts and be guided by his direction.

The fatality of too many kinds of organizations, having been suggested, has weakened us at the beginning point. The first thing then is to know what the character of the intended organization is.

When that is well understood everybody will be nearer ready to begin. The prospect of organizing actors is a mighty hard thing. The star with money who is unassuming must be considered according to his intellectuality, where others of self-esteem must be crushed. The notoriety seeker who wants to control everything must be brushed aside the same as the man who talks too much and accomplishes nothing.

When somebody comes along among men who prove to be nobody, we will pick him out. Here let me advance a powerful expression.

New York is not the place to start a general actors organization; the future of colored actors, conjunctively, lies with the golden West.

Chicago being centrally located is more commodious for general co-operation.

New York may be alright for big stage productions, homes of well-to-do actors and a swell club like the "Lamb's Club."

An actors beneficial league could never prosper in the way actors are going about it now.

None of these things will do and none of them will cover a foot of ground if established in New York. Chicago, presenting two theaters managed by colored men should be, by all means, the starting place of actor organizations and mainly because of the alliance we must form with local managers.

This may strike New York like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky, but the wisdom which goes with it, mark you, means greater things that may happen ere long in the Windy City that Overlooks the lakes.

The future of actor organization does not depend upon the approval or support of the big money stars. They should willingly give their support. It will depend upon all the entire active profession and their faith in their leader. There would be no efforts made without a competent leader that the majority will follow. I have conceived two successful ways to establish an organization. I cannot define them in this issue nor would it be wise to do so before we call a convention. Perhaps, though, a little synopsis will do no harm.

By which ever way the convention agreed as a majority, benefits could be given. An emergency fund could be maintained on a small mite sinking fund basis, a growing system that could care for the sick and needy and bury the pauper dead. So far so good. What the profession wants as a whole, supplied by the source I have just mentioned, is an "Actor's Institute." The ways I have just designated, if fully developed, properly directed and supported would build such an institution. Chicago could maintain an actor's fund, an actor's home, an actor's business exchange theatrical agency and a respectable actresses alliance, presided over by a female. This institution could later lease apartments in New York and conduct the same routine of business there. The great majority of actors must put their trust in the business men and writers who are in prominent positions that guarantee their honest endeavor.

The motto of this new venture must be begun by managers of colored theaters, actors of required ability, and newspaper men who are directly concerned in stage publications.

It's going to take some brains to do this work and when the man with brains asserts himself everybody must step aside and let him work regardless of whether you like him personally or not. Jealousy and envy, gentlemen, or dislike must not stand in the way of the man who can direct the progress of the work. Cordiality, union and a hearty co-operation is what will be needed to push this movement through.

SYLVESTER RUSSELL.