The following was published in the 1927 issue of “The Scenic Artist.”
“It is quite interesting to note among other elements that have invaded the theater within the last decade, the active interest that women are taking in scenic work.
For many years women felt themselves barred from taking a part in the painting of scenery, because it involved extreme physical stamina, which, excepting in rare cases, women do not possess. However, being more or less tenacious, it is a foregone conclusion that women will work out their own salvation and this will perhaps, lie in the line of designing or art directing rather than the actual painting of scenes which take on large portions.
Women as a rule, have an excellent color sense and the knack of lending those almost indefinable touches which make a setting look as tho’ it was actually being lived in and not a make-believe room.” When in addition, they equip themselves with the necessary technical knowledge, they have every reason to expect not only to reach a high place but to retain it.
The women members of our craft are making a wonderful showing, and certainly, none of them can be classed as athletic, yet they are an extremely valuable asset to our craft. Effeminacy is sickly, disgusting and degrades anything it touches – and it has no place in art. Feminism is sound healthy and refining – There is no sex in art. Feminism means among other things – Tact, Temperament and Tenacity. These are needed and wanted.”
Image from “Theatrical and Circus Life; or Secrets of the Stage. Green-Room, and Sawdust Arena” (St. Louis: M.S. Barnett, 1882)
