Towson University - Tower Echoes Yearbook (Towson, MD)

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.Ez Stage-Door Johnnies HE SUBIECT OF THE THEATER IS, FOR ME, A fascinating topic. Many persons have attempted to write about the theater, but only a few have been able to make me 'breathe the atmospherei' of the life that exists behind the curtain - both before and after the play. I believe that one must feel for himself the experience of being back- stage in a large theater after an important performance. May I take you on a tour of a theater after the perform- ance has ended, beginning with the stage-door entrance? After the uncomfortable heat of the day, the cool, shadowy corridor is a welcome relief. The No Admittancc sign on the door makes us hesitate for just an instant, but, nothing ventured, nothing gained, so now the door is behind, and a long catwalk is before us. At first, everyone in sight seems to be hurrying, hustling, for even though another perform- ance is scheduled for tonight, the play is over for the after- noon, the curtain has gone down for the last time. Now comes the opportunity to relax aching throat muscles and hot bodies - to remove some of the heavier makeup. One of the first persons we see is the busy wardrobe mis- tress, with a mouthful of pins and an armload of rustling costumes. We have been conscious, from the first moment, of an odor of mustiness and dust, joining the dampness of the immense place. From the dressing rooms come pleasant smells of powder and grease paint, mingled with those of shaving lotion and cleansing cream. The constant hum of busy people helps create an atmosphere of infectious excitement. A Bight of white cement steps with an iron guardrail leads from the catwalk to the stage and larger dressing rooms below. Our way is lighted by a glaring, unshaded electric- light bulb. As we descend, the hub-bub is increased by the banging of hammers and the noisy moving of scenery by shouting workmen. As we reach the lower Hoor, we see a large desk and a call-board, smattered generously with mis- cellaneous information, Performers and stage hands contin- ually run upstairs and downstairs, slamming doors and call- ing to each other. Unwieldy scenery, realistically grotesque, makes us feel quite small when we find these tremendously tall props and backdrops skyscraping over us. And now the stage itself - in appearance, a platform of bare, worn wooden boards - but no mere boards inspire such overwhelming awe, as we look out over the vast empty theater, now void of human presence - gaping balconies and boxes, row on row of empty leather seats, the leather catching a gleam of light, now here, now there, in the dusky purple shadows. Our awe is somewhat relieved, however, NOVEMBER - 1944 by the fact that many people have recently occupied these seats. The footlights stare up from the front of the stage with dimmed, unseeing eyes, the acrid smell of their powerful heat still permeates the air. Occasionally, whiffs of grease come to us from the rope pulleys attached to the curtain. And now, a somewhat nervous feeling of anticipation as we wait to speak with the actors! First one, then another, strolls out of the dressing rooms, the leading lady usually making her appearance last - to discourage her over-enthu- siastic autograph hunters, no doubt! When one finds out that Mr. Whoozis - that famous actor - wears glasses to sign his name on proffered programs, or that Miss What's-Her- Name - that famous actress -- had a run in her stocking, keen pleasure comes with the realization that fine perform- ers are friendly, normal human beings oH-stage. - EILEEN LYNCH. THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR THE ARTICLE THAT NEVER CAME. rw! ,U . QYOUR CONTRIBUTION COULD HAVE BEEN HERE, YOU KNOW.j 7

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1-'CLUBS'-' CLUB ASSEMBLY, UNDER THE CHAIRMAN- ship of Betty Seitz, was held to introduce the clubs to the new freshmen and to let the upper classmen know that several have been revised and a new one formed. The as- sembly was super. To start the program, the Glee Club, with its newly added bass section and its greatly increased mem- bership, offered several selections. As usual, they couldn't have been better. The president of the Men's Club introduced the other olficers fvice-president, secretary, treasurer, and the three members - which, by the way, adds up to seven, and I thought we were only blessed with four men. It's all too deep for me - a problem for Mr. Moser. Members of the Association for Childhood Education dis- tributed pamphlets introducing the oHicers and explaining the purpose of the A.C.E. Did you hear the good news about the Little Theater Group? While the club members were putting on a little skit for us, Maxwell Andersen and Eugene O'Neill arrived. They really found the talent, too - Kay Koenig has a flare for acting the part of the modern Romeo, Betty Dunn makes the perfect costumer. Well, everyone was so good Andersen and O,Neill couldn't decide which one they'd use in their next plays -- so they didn't. A The Natural History Group informs us that Nature Has Glamour. Since we're all very much interested in Glamour, don't be surprised, NHG, if the whole school turns out for your next hike. Who knows? We may learn something! Which is the club that helps us send our letters to the ones by selling postage stamps? Which is the club that feeds our tummies by having a candy room in the dorm? Which is the club that feeds our minds by having Vespers and Chapel? The Student Christian Association, of course. The upper classmen know and the freshmen will know soon how much fun the conventions of the I.R.C, are. There is one coming up soon - to be held in Pennsylvania. All members of the I.R.C. are invited to attend. The Art Club extended an invitation to all the students to come and make Christmas gifts. The club meets on Wed- nesday and Thursday afternoons, Our Mcn's Club, the Swing Orchestra, really made a hit with the student body, and no wonder. Everyone wants to hear more of that Sunny Side of the Street music - a whole lot more. How about it? ? ? 6 Our War With Japan HE SIXTH WAR LOAN MARKS A NEW TURN in the war, both on the lighting and the home fronts. It points out tremendous war effort definitely in the direc- tion of the Pacific. During the lirst five war loans Americans were primarily thinking in terms of beating Hitler. Now our Government asks us for a loan of 14 billion more dollars, of which live billion dollars must come from indi- viduals. Why? Haven't we nearly finished off our so-called Number 1 Enemy? Can Iapan hold up our powerful war machine very long? Your son, 'brother and friend in his Pacific foxhole wouldn't raise such questions because they are up against realities, not day dreams. They kill or are killed. They pray every waking moment for a sky-darkening cover of friendly planes, They thank America for giving them the finest medical care in the world when their rendez- vous with destiny in a Pacific jungle is at hand. They know that the war with the Iaps is just beginning. Here are some other Pacific realities so that you will under- stand why there must be a SIXTH WAR LOAN and why it is absolutely necessary that it be a complete success: The Allied Military Command has estimated that it will take years, not months, to lick Iapan. Iapan's present army numbers about 4,000,000, with 2,000,000 more men available and fit for military service who haven't been called up to date. Another 1,500,000 between the ages of 17 and 20, are not yet subject to the draft. The Iap air force is growing. In addition to millions of native workers, Iapan has a potential slave force of 400,000,000 conquered people. Fifty percent of Iapan's labor force is made up of Women. Another twenty-five percent boys and girls under 20, the balance men, The Iap workday is twelve to sixteen hours with two days olif a month. The Iap cannot leave his job, change it, or strike. The highest daily wage equals about three American dollars - 301, to 751, of which goes to taxes and compul- sory savings. The Iap, as our men in the Pacific know, will iight to the death. As far as the Iap is concerned, the outer Empire - and the men who defend it - are the expendables. The Iap will fight the battle from inside the inner Empire. The Iap believes that we shall weary of war too easily and too early. In the invasion of France, supply ships had an overnight run to make. In the coming Battle of Iapan, ships in the Pacific will have long-reached round trips that often take five months to make. These realities are worth thinking about before you keep your home front rendezvous with a Victory Volunteer. Per- fContinucd on page 85 THE TOWER LIGHT

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65' Wm fam aacii DATES - November 20 through December 16. GOAL - Fourten Billion Dollars, of which Five Billion Dollars is to be raised by individuals. INDIVIDUAL GOAL - At least one extra 35100 Bond. ..-.A-- ERMANY'S DEFEAT MEANS THE END OF only the first phase of the war. The last, and more expensive, is ahead - the gigantic campaign needed for the defeat of Iapan. Military and naval authorities recently made the grim statement that it will take at least a year and a hallf to defeat Iapan after Germany is beaten and this will only be accomplished if we put every bit of American strength be- hind the effort, The cost of a full size war must be borne until the treacherous, brutal enemy who attacked us at Pearl Harbor is completely knocked out. The European war is expensive, but almost everything in the Pacific war will cost more. Freight transportation costs alone will be 25 percent more to the Pacific than to France. In addition, it takes twice as many cargo ships in the Pacific to support a task force of a given size f due to the tremendous distances. More equipment of nearly all kinds will also be needed - more B-29 Super Fortresses at S600,000 each, more P-47 Thunderbolts that cost 350,000 each, more M-4 tanks with bulldozer blades that cost 367,417 each, more amphibious tanks, more aircraft carriers, more supply ships, more gaso- line and oil than it took for the invasion of Europe. We will need more battalion aid stations, more clearing stations, more evacuation hospitals, more convalescent hos- pitals, more hospital ships. For many years sick, wounded, and otherwise disabled veterans will require medical care and attention as well. That's the least America can do for them in appreciation of what they have done for her. America also still has an Army and Navy of between ll,- 000,000 and 12,000,000 men and women to maintain, house, clothe, and transport. Millions of dollars, too, will be required for mustering out pay and for various benefits and services to get the boys started in civilian life. 8 These are some of the reasons why the Government will continue to need so much money even after the collapse of Germany, They are also the reasons why patriotic Americans will want to invest heavily in War Bonds during the Sixth War Loan. The purchase of War Bonds as a bulwark against danger- ous inflation should be emphasized. If America is to win the peace as well as the war the cost of living must be kept down and the purchasing power of money preserved. Putting every penny over rock bottom expenses into the purchase of War Bonds will help to prevent inflation, with its consequent deflation bringing unemployment, bread- lines and bankruptcy. The average citizen can't afford NOT to buy War Bonds, because They are his means of helping to win the war. They are his contribution to prevent inflation. They are the safest investment in America today. They bring an excellent interest return. They mean future security for himself and his family. They insure him additional post-war purchasing power. Our Country Is Still at War - Are You? Our WHT Japan- CCo1ztirzuedfrom page 61 haps you will feel that the National Personal Sixth War Loan objective - purchase of at least one extra S5100 War Bond- is entirely too small for you. The better we face the realities confronting our forces in the Pacific the quicker the whole bloody business will be over and the sooner we will welcome home our fighting men. That's an American reality to work for with all our dollars and our sweat! ANOTHER FACT - The Towizk LIGHT is your paper and into it should go, what YOU write. Oh, sure, the EDITOR still loves the Towiziz LIGHT but she fand rumored others, is tired of her style of writing. How about some really fine contributions for the NEXT issue? THE TOWER LIGHT