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

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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

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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

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All other entertainments given throughout the year were received with equal enthusiasm and approval. 9 4 Below is reproduced comments printed in various publications on en- tertainments given by the Cellar Players of the Maple Avenue Evening School for entertainment of various lodges and associations: In the Cellar, night by night We Players play with all our might, And day by day, in every way, We're getting famous - people say . From San Pedro Daily Pilot Jan. 30, 1922 CELLAR PLAYERS PLEASE BIG CROWD AT Y. M. C. A. Before a crowd which filled the Y. M. C. A. building on Harbor boulevard to capacity, the Cellar Players of Los An- geles appeared Saturday night in three excellently given one-act plays. The entertainers so pleased the crowd with their clever work in presenting the playlets, that Sec. Lorimore, has booked them for a return engagement here in March. The first playlet was The Pot Boilers , the second, The Person In the Chair , and the last, In 1 9 9 9 , which was especially entertain- ing and kept the audience in continual laughter. Hollywood Daily Citizen, Feb. 16, 1922 Several schools became interested in the patients in the tuberculos annex at the hospital at Sawtelle, through Miss Annabel Thornton. Two plays were presented, under the direction of Miss Lucy Hummel. They were The Pot Boiler , by Alice Gurtzenberg and a skit by William DeMille. From HTRESTLE BOARD Henry'S. Orme Lodge No. 458. March, 1922. ANOTHER BIG NIGHT COMING April the 26th has been set aside' by our Worshipful Master for an evening of entertainment for the members of the Lodge, their friends, and families, The famous Cellar Players will give three one-act plays in the Commandery room. These players have become very popular under Miss Hummel's direction the past two years, and the evening promises to be one of a very pleasant nature. The evening will be one of special interest, due to the 'fact that one of the plays to be presented was written by a member of Henry S. Orme Lodge, Wm. C. De Mille. Jot -the date down now, and you won't be sorry you did not hear about it in time. Copy of letter received from the secre- tary of Henry S. Orme Lodge 458, F. 8: A. M. C. J. Cresmer, C. Vernon Lewis, Worshipful Master , Secretary HENRY S. ORME LODGE NO. 458, F. 8: A. M. May 4, 1922. Dear Miss Hummel: This is to convey to you the sincere appreciation of the members of Henry S. Orme Lodge for the delightful program so kindly arranged by yourself for the pleasure of the members and their friends on the evening of April 29. We will also appreciate if you will express to the members of your company our hearty thanks for the pleasant and profitable evening and one that we will all remember as a very happy one. Cordially yours, C. Vernon Lewis, Secretary. Page Seventy-five