DRAMATIC CLUB ORGANIZED

At a recent meeting of the undergraduates most interested in the drama, a Harvard Dramatic Club was organized and plans for its future activities formulated. It has been felt for some years that such an organization was keenly needed, and, at various times, attempts have been made to crystallize this interest into a permanent form; up to the present, however, nothing has been done. It is obvious that, among the various University organizations which give theatricals, there should be one devoted to the presentation of modern plays by English or American authors. The annual productions of the Cercle Francais and the Deutscher Verein are well-supported and usually successful; and if this is the case, it seems safe to assume an even greater success for plays which have a more popular and racial appeal. Moreover the Harvard Dramatic Club will, by a series of competitions, select the best acting talent in the University as a whole; its sphere is far greater than any existing organization; its chances are, then, far better. At almost every other college of considerable size, there is a dramatic club, which presents in English modern plays, of popular appeal, with a cast carefully selected from the best the University can provide.

The Harvard Dramatic Club, however, will not only prove an opportunity for ability in acting, but in writing as well. It is the plan to devote at least half the year to the production of plays written by the undergraduates themselves. It is needless to dilate upon the splendid chance this offers to those interested in dramatic composition. It is hoped that Professor Baker's course in "The Technique of the Drama," to be given next year, will supply a large share of this material.

It is not expected that any active work will be done by the club during the remainder of this year. The immediate plan is to hold an open meeting for all men in the University interested in acting or writing plays. From among these the more actively concerned will be chosen, officers for the coming year will be elected, a series of informal meetings arranged to discuss plans, and, in general, a working organization formed for the season of 1908-09. The burden of next year's activities will naturally fall upon the present Junior class; it is hoped, then, especially, that all Juniors interested in the club will ally themselves with it as soon as possible. Arrangements will be made for a play competition to extend over the summer, the successful play to be amounted in the autumn as the club's first venture.

The open meeting, mentioned above, will be held in the course of a week. Notice will appear in the CRIMSON.