CALLS 47, WORKSHOP A LABORATORY THEATRE

"The 47 Workshop is a laboratory theatre", said Professor G. P. Baker '97 yesterday in an interview with a CRIMSON reporter.

"In 1912" Professor Baker continued, "the students in English 47, a course in the technique of the drama appealed to me as instructor of the course to make it possible for some of the better plays written in the course to be tried out before an audience. Plans, were set under way and during my absence in the latter part of that year were carried forward by the students. In January 1913 the first play, written by Mr. W. F. Merrill '13, was very simply produced. The success of the plan as a laboratory in dramatic technique was made evident from the first, and the 47 Workshop was organized as a producing unit. As time went on it was seen that a definite acting company should be organized from among students in the course and other competent amateur actors and actresses who would have the time to devote to the work. This group, known as the 47 Workshop Company was accordingly formed, and it was decided that persons could be elected to the Company only after playing twice in important parts. This provision has remained in force, along with another rule stipulating that any member must play any part he is asked to by the director.

"The production of the plays immediately raised the quality of those written in the course. The more recent ones have, moreover, been of a much higher standard than those of an earlier date, and four volumes of one act plays by members of English 47 have been published in the last few years. Volumes of longer plays will probably appear in the future.

Work Done by Members

"At first all sets were ordered, but the expense of this plan finally led to their being designed, built, and painted by members of the Workshop. An 'Artistic and Producing Force' was organized as a definite unit to carry on this part of the work. The interest in this branch of dramatic art and the desire for training in it led to the formation of Fine Arts 28, a course in stage design.

"The problem of a place to produce the plays has been serious from the outset. Sanders Theatre could not be used on account of the wear and tear of production and the Workshop had to turn to the Agassiz House Theatre, which is, however, rather small. This lack of a large theatre made it necessary to establish a definite limited 47 Workshop audience. This now numbers 400 and consists of all former members of the Workshop and people interested in the dramatic arts who have been nominated by two members of the audience. A condition of membership in the audience requires members to write and send to the Workshop a signed criticism of each production. If the performance of "Catskill Dutch" on February 19 at Brattle Hall is fully supported by the undergraduate body it may be possible to give public productions of Workshop plays in the future.

"The influence of the 47 Workshop on the drama has been felt in many ways. Three plays by Mr. W. L. Beach '13, Miss Abbey Merchant, and Mr. Hubert Osborne '17, former members of the Workshop have been produced in New York this autumn and another, "You and I", the Herndon Prize play by Mr. Philip Barry will apear shortly. Some former members of the Workshop are now well known dramatists and others are on the professional stage.

"Finally", concluded Professor Baker, "many dramatic workshops have been established in various parts of the country, because we have shown at the University that such a laboratory can be ran successfully"