“Do you ever loan out any of your scenery? Another party who has ‘caught the fever,’ is going to try the same stunt with modifications. I am getting to be a sort of an unofficial agent for your Extension Div. as people here are getting interested in these ‘doin’s’ so don’t be surprised if you get a letter from us now and then.
“Yours truly,
“A. R.”
When “The Little Red Mare,” a one-act farce was given, Hugh’s father came down to see me and tell me that if there was anything needed in the country it was more life and good entertainments for the young people. He was a very interesting character and a bit philosophical. When I told him about the mistakes made in the work, he pulled out a lead pencil, placed it between his fat thumb and finger and looking straight at me said, “if it wasn’t for mistakes we’d never have rubbers on the ends of our pencils.” His son, Hugh, who took the character of the old deaf fellow in the play, did a superb piece of acting.
Over in the village of Amenia they have a country theater. It is located on the second floor up over a country store, and has a seating capacity of about one hundred and seventy-five people. The stage is medium size. The curtain is a green draw curtain. The lighting system is unique, containing border lights, foot lights, house lights, and a dimmer. The plays selected and produced are only the best. One villager said he never thought plays would change the spirit of the community so much.
Scene—“The Servant in the House” By Charles Rann Kennedy
Up near Kensal, North Dakota, about four miles out from the town, the McKinley Farmers’ Club have a place modeled in some ways after The Little Country Theater. The country people formed a hall association, sold stock to the extent of three thousand dollars, donated their labor, and put up the building. The site was given by a country merchant. It is a typical rural center, consisting of auditorium, stage, rest rooms, dining room, and kitchen. An excellent description of its activities is contained in a letter from one of its members dated April 17, 1918, which I shall quote in part:
“The club year, just closed has been satisfactory in all events. From a social standpoint, this community through the efforts of the McKinley Club has enjoyed the fellowship of their neighbors and friends in a manner that is foreign to most rural communities.
“The officials of the past year have injected literary work into its meetings or rather at the close of the club meeting. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Saturday evenings of each month. The men of the club meet in the auditorium and transact regular business while the Ladies’ Aid of the Club meet in the dining rooms. At the close of the business session all congregate in the auditorium where a program made up of songs, recitations, readings, essays, debates, dialogues, monologues, the club journal, four minute speeches, etc., is given. With the program or literary over, all retire to the dining rooms, where the ladies have a lunch arranged which is always looked forward to. Home talent plays and public speakers are from time to time in order and always enjoyed. A five piece orchestra composed from amongst the membership play for dances, at plays, etc. The dramatic talent of the club has just played ‘A Noble Outcast’ and despite a rainy evening the proceeds counted up to $93.00. The proceeds were used to pay for the inclosing of the stage and stage scenery. They will put this on again, the proceeds to go to buy tobacco for the boys ‘Over There.’ Last June the club members and their families in autos made a booster trip boosting the play ‘Back to the Farm,’ presented by The Little Country Theater Players. They canvassed ten towns in a single day, driving one hundred and twenty miles. The result was that when the ticket force checked up $225.00 had been realized. The club celebrates its anniversary in June of each year.