Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
The demand for school stage scenery increased in the early twentieth century in a similar fashion as that for fraternal stage scenery. A dramatic increase in orders began during the second decade of the twentieth century. Schools were not a new client, but many more academic institutions begin to produce stage shows, necessitating the purchase of stock scenery and specialty settings for school productions.
In 1917, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “Closed with Oak Park High School for $675.00, the first they have bought for their stage.” On May 4, 1917, the “Chicago Tribune” announced, “High School to Give Opera. Oak Park High School will present ‘Hansel and Gretel’ this evening at the high school auditorium. A school orchestra of fifty pieces will accompany the cast” (page 11). Of the actual production, I have only uncovered the one article. The auditorium was only a decade old when Sosman & Landis delivered scenery in 1917, likely for the upcoming production of “Hansel and Gretel.”
Oak Park opened a new high school in 1907. That same year the school’s orchestra was founded. It was also one of the first schools to offer credit toward graduation based on student performance in the orchestra.
The new building was designed to hold 800 students and was located at East and Ontario Streets. However, by 1908, the school was deemed defective and needed extra work; the concrete floors were inadequate to carry the necessary weight and the contractors were sued. This is likely the reason that the school did not order any painted scenery until 1917. Additionally, in 1916, the original Oak Park school building was sold for $25,000 and subsequently provided funding for a variety of projects.
As I looked at school activities during 1916-1917, this was the same period when Ernest Hemingway was contributor to the school newspaper and literary magazine. Some of his works were included in “Hemingway at Oak Park High: The High School Writings of Ernest Hemingway, 1916-1917.” Hemingway played the role of Richard Brinsley Sheridan in his class’ performance of “Beau Brummel” at Oak Park High School; he graduated in 1917. His sister Marcelline was a member of the Drama Club. Here is an interestingly link to Hemingway’s High School graduation: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hemingways-high-school-graduation-100-years-later_b_59144a0ee4b016248243f1ff?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAE6eeE3ka8HhzZSB_FdpafZR0hncAj0sZbi5r4FHl3D5_qSW2XMBOgJHA5k7IQuFQQ5DaluarnAzGVegYWkez79SuhNf3ELLWUgKPcGjnIODIBV9hQGoPeNtifjGu11ZJcXp5pcVYQ85WUPsekX9LlF8MCISoewN1b9FrvK2yuWt
In 1917, local Oak Park real estate listings noted that the Oak Park high School was “one of the best in the country” (Chicago Tribune, 1 April 1917, page 74). The history of the Oak Park High School is quite interesting in itself. Oak Park was the home to many artists and architects who worked in Chicago; a short train ride to downtown. Oak Park was an affluent area with famous names.
To be continued…
