The University of Virginia record :: March 15, 1928

From the Faculty of the University: John Calvin Metcalf, James Southall
Wilson, Atcheson Laughlin Hench, Francis Harris Abbot, William
Harrison Faulkner, John Jennings Luck, Edmund Schureman Campbell,
Walter Sheldon Rodman, James Cook Bardin. From the student body:
Ted Dean, Beverley Middleton, E. A. Alderman, Jr.

The Virginia Players is the University dramatic organization. It will
be incorporated under the laws of the State of Virginia as a non-stock
corporation; the trustees: President Alderman, professors Metcalf, Wilson,
Faulkner, Rodman, Barlow, Pratt, and one member from the student body.
Its purpose, as set down in the charter, is: "First, to promote and encourage
a native dramatic art: Second, to serve as an experimental
theatre for the production and publishing of original plays representative
of the traditions and present day life of the people: Third, to stage
revivals of classic and modern plays: Fourth, to extend its influence
throughout the state."

Besides those enrolled in the courses, members of the community—
students, faculty and townspeople—will be invited to participate in the
productions. Those who contribute their talents to any branch of the
work will be elected to active membership in the Theatre Arts Guild.
Others interested may become sustaining members by the payment of
annual dues. All those attending the first performance of original plays
will be asked to cooperate by sending in a written criticism of the plays
presented. These criticisms should be constructively framed as they will
be openly discussed in class.

Mr. Pratt, Associate Professor of Music at the University, was engaged
for ten years as musical director, actor and stage director of many leading
American and English dramatic organizations. He played in support of
John Drew at the Empire Theatre, New York in Pinero's "His House
in Order" and the following season was one of the few Americans to

be engaged for the first tour of the Ben Greet players in this country.
He has played leading parts with the Coburn Players, Nance O'Neill,
Robert B. Mantell and was leading man of several Stock Companies in
New York and Boston. Mr. Pratt played in the original Broadway production
of "The Three of Us" by Rachel Crothers and his last appearance
on the professional stage was with Leo Dietrichstein in "The Concert"
at the Belasco Theatre, New York. During the long run of this
piece he assumed the roles of musician, actor and, as stage manager,
received much valuable training through association with one of the
greatest of all stage directors, David Belasco. Since coming to the University,
Mr. Pratt has produced in Cabell Hall "The Merchant of Venice",
"Twelfth Night" and several modern plays—and in 1925 and 1926
was director of the Little Theatre in Lynchburg, Virginia.

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University of Virginia Library

VIRGINIA PLAYERS