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Show BERNARD DEV0I0 TELLS OF DRAMA LEAGUE Editor Ogden Standard: The Ogden I ater of the Drams League of America Amer-ica organized less than a week ago, now numbers one hundred and seven-ty-two members Believing that a public announcement of its aims, purposes pur-poses and Intentions will prove f In-lerest In-lerest id many more ihan that num-bor, num-bor, 1 take occasion to explain them, and to extend to every one in Ogden who la sincerely interested in literature, litera-ture, art, or music an invitation to affiliate with this organisation The Drama League of America has centers In every large city of America Amer-ica and small r co-operntim: societies in a large number of cllicn and towns loo small to support duly constituted centers It has been organized to ob tain the benefits of co operation j among those who are Inlerested in good drama and who desire to see more and better plays in the theatre. But Its lield is not confined to the drama alone. In every city branches of the league are active, both in study and in presentation, in every department depart-ment of literature and art In almost every case the membership of those branches is an index to the lovers of true culture In ihe community. Its influence js in no small way directly di-rectly responsible for the present renaissance re-naissance of dramatic art in America. I pei haps the most significant phase of literary activity anywhere in the world As the publisher of 'The Drama' and "The Drama League Monthly." the League carries on an active Journalistic Journalis-tic campaign; while by publhhinn the Drama League series of plays It is doing a genuine and memorable serv-ice serv-ice to all lovers of llerature Its sponsorship spon-sorship of the Little Theatre movement move-ment has given this country a new, unique and permanent form of art, and the army camp and overseas theatres which were entirely under Its direc tlon and which are perhaps. Its most significant present activity, may be tho first step towards realization of that almost millennial ideal, national popular theatres. Most far-reaching of all the League's interests, however. Is its advocacy of community masques I and pageants which will eventually I result in the rise of a native tolk-dra-jma widely different lrom and not improbably im-probably superior to any oth. r in the history of literature. The national organization is close-knit, close-knit, powerful, and active As evidence evi-dence of its timeliness and significance signifi-cance 1 need only cite three 01 the subjects which are lo be considered at the annual convention to be held at Chicago the last week in April which will be attended by delegates from ev ery center In the United States. These subjects are: The need to supply community com-munity recreation to take the place of the activities which the men have en-Joyed en-Joyed in camps; the promotion of the Pllcrim Tercentenary in 1920: and tha Religious Lirama and the dramatic use of Biblical material But the League exists by and for Its constituent Centers and Circles. (I may here explain that a circle is an organization affiliated with the League but composed of less than one hundred hun-dred members, and hence not entitled ! to a vote in the national convention.) It Is through the medium of these I centers and circles that the League carries on its work of education, bet - J terment, and entertainment. A Center of the Drama League of America has been organized In Ogd D Ogden thus becomes the smallesl city in America, and the onlv cm, hot ween Denver and San Erranclsco to form a center, although it is probable that the membership of the circle in Salt Lake Citv will presently be large enough to constitute that organization a Center. The Ogden L enter has been formed to further no personal ambition and to antagonize no local organization Instead In-stead it hopes to interest all those who are sincerely In sympathy with its ideals, and, by co-operating with all organizations of a literary, artistic, or musical nature, to secure for Ogden Og-den the unquestioned benefits of the national organization of which it Hs a part. What will these benefits be? Of first importance to the community commun-ity at large is the Center's influence in bringing to Ogden more and better bet-ter plays. By merely sending in a request to the national headquarters of the League, it can secure the local appearance of any dramatic company which may pass through this section of the country. This means that actors ac-tors of national and inte rnational reputation rep-utation who have heretofore played In Salt Lake City while on our but have made a practice of Ignoring Ogden may be brought to this city on request, re-quest, thus giving to the entire community com-munity the privilege of witnessing plays which only a few would have j seen and ihat at the not Inconsiderable Inconsider-able trouble ;md expense involved in a trip to Salt Lake Cit. The value to the city ot this power alone is Immediately Im-mediately apparent. The Center will undertake also to bring to Ogden lecturers and musicians musi-cians who heretofore, uncertain of 'their reception, would have Ignored us. Tho appearance last year of Professor Clark, an official of tbe League, is a fair sample of what the Ogden Center will promise for the future After its contemplated affiliation with a national na-tional musical society, the Center will undoubtedly sponsor the appearance of I nationally laiuou musicians. Pablo Casals appeared in recital some weeks jago at Salt Lake City and a number! of Ogden music lovers made tb- trip I to hear him, a trip which would have j 1 been unnecessary had the Ogden Cen ter been organized and guaranteed the present promising support. Eventually the Center hopes to undertake, un-dertake, even if in only a small way, the establishment of community drama dra-ma and pagaentry There Is in Ogden enough Interest in tho drama and enough historical background and tradition tra-dition to warrant deep interest in both experiments. 1 think that the Center's interest foi the community at large is more than self-evident The individual member will find courses of study . personal advice, lecture courses, and literary' causerie more than sufficient to gratify his wishes, however enthusiastic enthus-iastic a lover of literature he may be. The ridiculously small fee, one dollar dol-lar a year, ontitles him, besides membership mem-bership in tbe local Center and the nu'lonal organization to: 1, League bulletins, which are q l sued on all new plays Judged worthy I of support, describing the play and urging attendance. 2. On! yearly subscription to the Drama League Monthly, containing drama study coursos, reading lists, library li-brary lists; also helpful material under un-der tho PlaygOing and News from Centers Cen-ters sections. 3. Advice In regard to drama study. I. Attendance at and participation in nil League meetings, and notably ihe annual convention. . Advice from specialists on selecting se-lecting plays for amateurs. tv Recommendations as to readers and lecturers on the drama. Benefits of the Junior Department Depart-ment for work with children. I desire to repeat my statement that the Ogden Center Is co operativo and not competitive. it. will encourage ami support any activity which has as its purpose the furtherance of good literature and good music. Not unnaturally un-naturally it looks for reciprocation. A I campaign tor larger membership will begin at once and I lake advnntage 1 1 this opportunity to extend a personal per-sonal inltntion to every lover and student of literature and music to he-come he-come a member of the Ogden ("enter. Applications lor membership may be made to any officer of the Center. To accommodato those who are interest) l in the work, the Center will publish, lat. r m Do- v.eel: ,in application blank whicb may be filled out and mailed to the chairman of tho membership committee Meanwhile any officer of the C enter will receive applications. Should any organization or any school desire fuller details than it has been possible for me 10 give here, the (i;den Center will gladly furnish a speaker to explain fully and lo answef all questions. Mr. Kditor, we are all familiar with the complain! that Ogden lacks any concerted cultural effort The Ogden 1 Center of the Drama League of America, Amer-ica, an organization of avowedly civic ! ideals anil open to whoever is sufficiently suffi-ciently interested to join, is endeavoring endeavor-ing to till that want How will the seriously minded people of Ogden re spond ! Very respect fullv yours, BERNARD A. DeVOTO. Pr - (dent of the Ogden Center of the Drama League of America. |