Maple Avenue Evening High School - Progress Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

Page 75 text:

it is the room used by the Art class on other evenings and scattered throughout are fine old jugs, vases, plaster casts, murals, charcoal draw- ings and easels. There are two large pillars or supporting columns near the center of the west side of this room and between these colums the stage is set and the rehearsals and plays are held. Two years ago Miss J amgochain resigned to take up dramatic work in another field and Miss Lucy Hummel, noted local instructor in drama and voice, became director of the Cellar Players. No doubt, reader, you question the possibility of producing noticeable results with but a few hours training three nights per week and often, too, with students weary from their day's work in shops, offices, banks, motion picture studios, magazine staffs etc. Nevertheless, results have been and are being obtained. Plays Make Hit Just to prove that I am not giving you mere words let me give you a brief outline of the activities of the Cellar Players during the past year. You will be surprised. Four successful performances were given in the school studio. Each performance ran two nights. The first night is al- ways for the student body and the second night is for the friends of the players. By the way, instead of using programs for these performances a large easel is placed at one side of the stage and on it is placed placards bearing names of the plays and cast of characters. Two girls in artist's smock, and tam, act as ushers. Then there is the prologue girl, also in smock and tam, who, before each play begins, steps out in front and gives the audience a bit of the atmosphere of that play. More about this talent- ed prologue girl and her clever creations will appear in another column. Often, after these performances, the guests are invited to remain and enjoy a cup of tea and often a dance or two. Twelve other performances were given throughout the district on in- vitation of various organizations and lodges such as the Modern Woodmen of America, Y. M. C. A. of San Pedro, Lincoln Heights Library, Fraternal Brotherhood, Los Angeles Eastern Star Chapter, Indiana State Association, Soldiers' Home at Sawtelle and for the invalid marines on the Navy Hos- pital Boat, Mercy, in San Pedro Harbor. Of all theseiprograms the one given aboard the Hospital Boat Mercy, was perhaps the most thrilling. Automobiles conveyed the Players to San Pedro where a tinylchug boat was waiting to take them out to the Mercy. Page Seventy-three

Page 74 text:

How Class Was Named But how cum this name Cellar Players' you would probably like to ask. Well now, if you will just sail on, like Columbus of old, you will learn. Some three years ago a few ambitious young people came to thefrooms of the Maple Avenue School in the basement of the great building at 540 Maple Avenue Where vocational and trade extension Work was being taught, and applied for a classiin dramatics and oral expressionf The request Was favorably received by the principal of the school, Mrs. Sadie C. Atherton, Whose constant enthusiasm and encouragement has been a great help and inspiration to this department ever since. V A meeting was held in the basement or cellar and a dramatic class formed under the direction of Miss Araxie Jamgochain. Later as this class progressed and commenced to give amateur entertainments some one named it the Cellar Players' and by that name it has come to be gener- ally known. i This class met three times a Week in the largest room in the down- stairs quarters - their studio. Studio is quite the appropriate name for Members of Dramatic Class l In Scene in The Pot Boilers be Page Seventy-two

Page 76 text:

Upon arrival aboard the Mercy the players were greeted by the Marine Band. The rooms of the chaplain and one of the officers became for the evening theatrical dressing rooms . The sailors, all who were well enough. gathered on one end of the ship and here, without the aid of stage or scenery, the players entertained them. The players and their plays were enthusiastically received and applauded, it was, indeed, with a bit of regret that the players bid their adois and stepped once more into the ever-ready little chug boat for the return trip. ' Entertain Masons Quite in contrast from this program was the one given for the Los An- geles Eastern Star Chapter in the Masonic Temple. This was given at the request of Mr. Schroeder, manager of the Morosco theater and patron of the above named Chapter, who had heard of the Cellar Players thru a per- formance previously given at the Henry S. Orme Lodge. Once again the players performed without the aid of a proper stage, scenery, lights and etc. The spacious Chapter room was crowded with handsomely gowned women and prominent men from the extreme rear of the room to within a few feet of where the play was staged. This fact, however, did not seem to effect the players in the least, even the fact that Mr. Schroeder, him- self a theatrical expert of note, stood close by throughout the performance, did not seem to disconcert them. On the contrary, these things rather seemed to act as a stimulus and, did the players react? well, judge for your- selves after I tell you that Mr. Schroeder later proclaimed that two of the playlets given were worthy of Orpheum time. 1 Scene in The Vampire and the Camel Page Seventy-four