Newspapers / Salem College Student Newspaper / March 21, 1958, edition 1 / Page 3
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jylarch2K1958 THE SALEMiTE Page Three powling Says Future Of Stevens’ Time Occupied By Theatre Lies In Colleges "The future of the theatre lies the colleges and universities, because economy is killing the theatre.” This was Eddie, Dowl ing’s answer to why he’d turned to. college lecturing when he was enjoying a successful career acting nnd directing on Broadway. In this way, he hopes to encourage dramatic interests on the campus gnd to cultivate interests in acting in the theatre. Any prospective actress must perform in the theatre first for security before going into the mass media. Because television will win the battle with the theatre (it’s free), Mr. Dowling has been trying to encourage colleges and universities to organize nationally and present fine dramas on television. In his plan, Mr. Dowling would have the national networks give each state one ninty minute program a week. The cast for each states’ produc tion would be selected on a com petitive basis from the schools and citizens of each state. The last four weeks of the cycle could be devoted to national competition. Mr. Dowling commented that there was considerable interest in the project and all that it needs is a sponsor and organization. As the importance of the “big” theatre decreases, Mr. Dowling feels that interest will revert back to small local groups as was the case in the beginnings of the drama. However, interest in, out door dramas will not diminish. Mr. Dowling feels they will grow in number and in importance since each state has numerous “stories”. These pageants will soon have the attractive force found in the Euro pean festivals. Mr. Dowling was encouraging about the possibilities for young actresses. All you really need is a tremendous amount of faith in what you believe you can do, de spite discouragement, and hard work. He feels that a college edu cation is essential in the theatre, because in college you learn speec which is the all important thing.” However, the prospect of appre ciation of an actor’s talents are decreasing. According to him, the country is revolving around sales manship and money making so it has lost its taste for beauty. Mr. Dowling played Tom in his Broadway production of The Glas Menagerie. He felt he was too old for the role but he and Tennessee Williams decided a mature man with Tom’s experiences was essen tial so that the narration would be the most significant and impressive part of the play. He has a great deal of admiration for these nar ration scenes and considers them “as fine as anything written in the American theatre.” In the original production, Mr. Dowling felt it was iiiecessary to clarify , the ending; so, instead of ending the final nar ration with “and so goodbye,” he dosed with “and here my memory ends and your imagination begins.” He also pointed out that the character of Amanda was drawn from Williams’ mother and that the comments on the Episcopalians were a reflection on Williams’ life with his grandfather, an Episcopal minister, who raised him. Mr. Dowling’s lecturing was en tertaining, if you wanted a mono logue, “This Is Your Life, Eddie Dowling” instead of the scheduled recital, “From Shakespeare to Sa royan.’,’ Teaching And Horn emaking In the back of the theatre after every Pierrette performance, sits the one person responsible for the total effect of the play—the direc tor, Mrs., Elizabeth Stevens. She claims her favorite production is ‘usually the one I’ve just com pleted” ; but since she came to Salem in 1948, after getting, her masters degree in speech at North western University, she has direc ted some favorites. “I especially enjoyed working with The Inno cents, Twelfth Night, and Pygma lion, when we did it a few years ago.” But directing was not always easy for Mrs. Stevens, who also serves as acting coach for her often inexperienced crew; when she did five years of summer stock work in New London, New Hampshire, acting was her outlet for expres sion, and not directing. “I directed a comedy about two old maids who took over Washington bureau cracy ; it flopped, and I hadn’t liked it from the beginning.” Since her marriage to Willis Stevens of the music faculty last June, Mrs. Stevens has discovered that a .full-time career such as teaching, is difficult to combine with homemaking. “Mr. Stevens and I don’t have any spare time really; but when we do we usually spend it wishing we had more. When I get a chance NEWS BRIEFS This morning at 8:00 five Salem- ites and Dr. Welch left for Ashe ville for the North Carolina Edu cation Association convention. The five girls were Mary Ann Boone, Margie Boren, Jane Rostan, Elbe Mitchell, president of the campus chapter, and Alartha Jarvis, Salem’s Miss Student Teacher of 1958. Martha will be presented Friday night with all other Miss Student Teachers. The delegation will re to read for pleasure; it’s always a novel. Reading plays is like working. And of course, I had to learn to cook; Mr. Stevens loves to eat. I’m pretty good, except on desserts. I can’t make pies, but cakes are fun.” Her favorite dish is "foolproof chicken cas serole” that is good for guests. But cooking is her secondary creative outlet; for theatre is her art. “Everyone ought to feel that his art, if it allows for the most self-expression, is the finest art.” NEWS BRIEFS Professor John H. Johansen, Head of the Department of Re ligion, will attend the joint meet ing of the Southern Sections of the National Association of Bibli cal Instructors and the Society of Biblical Literature and Exegesis, to be held at Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday and Tuesday, March 24 and 25. Professor Johansen will read a paper on the subject “The Parable As An Instrument of Self-Reve lation,” at the Tuesday morning session of the Society of Biblical Literature and Exegesis. —Martha Jarvis turn Saturday afternoon McPHAILS Invites Diamond Inspection To help with your selection and explain the qualities and properties of precious gems we have engaged Mr. George A. Merz. Mr. Merz has thirty years experience buying, evaluating and designing fine jewelry in out standing stores. He will be pleased to answer any questions and discuss any jewelry prob lem. Come in, make yourself at home and become acquainted with Mr. Merz. McPhail’s has an outstanding display of engagement rings, wedding rings and jewelry set with fine quality diamonds and precious colored stones. R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO CO., WINSTON-SALEM. N.C,
Salem College Student Newspaper
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March 21, 1958, edition 1
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