Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 February 1912 — Many Jobless Actors Besiege Chicago [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Many Jobless Actors Besiege Chicago

CHICAGO. —Fifteen hundred “professionals” leading men and women, chorus girls and men, “leads,” “heavies,” vaudevillians, representing every type of actor and actress—are now resting on Chicago’s Rialto. Within three weeks about forty companies have folded tents in . nearby towns and the members have hurried to Clark and Randolph streets looking for “openings” and discussing the most disastrous year in theatricals in a decade. Local theatrical agencies are crowded daily. Managers declare there are more theatrical men and women seeking employment in Chicago now than in years—even Including the summertime, when “resting” is usually a habit. “Company after company has returned to Chicago within the last week,” said Harry Armstrong, a book-

ing agent “There are 200 applicants for every place I can offer.” “At least a thousand actors and actresses are looking for work here now,” was the statement from the Rowland ft Clifford offices, which closed three companies recently. "Usually when the new year comes around there are a large number of companies going out but this year it is 'an coming in and nothing going out’ ” "There are hundreds of chorus girls here now looking for places where usuaUy it is hard to find any at this time of year,” said Harry Askfn, manager of the LaSalle opera house. “SmaU dramatic and musical companies have bad a hard season,” said A. Milo Bennett a veteran Chicago booking agent. “Managers are complaining that they cannot get enough shows, and the owners of the com panles are ijaying they cannot get audiences.” Many companies are returning daily from neighboring states. Some of actors are being placed in southern stock companies, but hundreds, and maybe thousands, will be without work for some time to come.