“The Ladies’ Aid of the club have been a great help and their presence always appreciated. To date they have paid for out of their funds, and installed in the club hall, a lighting system that is ornamental and is of the best, a piano, kitchen range, and a full set of dishes with the club monogram in gold letters inscribed on each piece.
“The stage is enclosed and scenery in place so that the dramatic talent of the community have an ideal place for work.
“I have in a hurried manner given you some of our doings in general.
“Respectfully,
“J. S. J.”
I shall never forget the night referred to in the above letter when “Back to the Farm” was given in the hall. Automobiles loaded with people came from miles around. The hall was packed. Children were seated on the floor close up to the stage. Fifty persons occupied a long impromptu plank bench in the center aisle, with their bodies facing one way and their heads looking toward the stage. They stood on chairs in the vestibule at the back. The windows were full of people. Three men paid fifty cents each to stand on a ladder and watch the play through the window near the stage. It was as enthusiastic and appreciative a crowd as ever witnessed a play. They still talk about it, too.
One of the most artistic pieces of work ever done in the Theater was the part of “Babbie” in Barrie’s play “The Little Minister.” The charming young lady who took the character seemed, as the folks say, “to be born for it.” “Little Women” a dramatization of Louisa Alcott’s book was also cleverly acted.
A group of twenty young men and women from fifteen different communities dramatized “The Grand Prairie Community School Building” project in five scenes. The first scene told the story of the organization of the Grand Prairie Farmers’ Club in the old one-room country school, and the endorsement of the new structure. The second showed the plans and specifications of the proposed building, by means of an illustrated lecture given in the old town hall. In the third and fourth parts the basement with the installation of the lighting system and the preparation of the lunch in the kitchen for the visitors were portrayed. The last scene displayed the auditorium and stage in the community school building complete, together with the dedication ceremonies. The scenery, properties, curtains, and lighting effects were arranged by these young men and women. The two hundred people who saw this dramatic demonstration will never forget the effect it had upon them. It proved that any community which is farsighted enough can with imagination and organization erect a similar structure or remodel a village hall so the people can have a place to express themselves. The essentials are an assembly room and a stage, that’s all.
