Copyright © 2021 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1923 Thomas G. Moses wrote, “We had some very good work for the Public Schools of Dubuque, Iowa, and we put in extra effort to please them as it was a $6,000.00 contract.” $6,000 in 1923 is today’s equivalent of approximately $92,000 – a sizable project for a studio that was preparing to close.
The 1923 Sosman & Landis project was for the Dubuque Senior High School auditorium. The newly-constructed building was formally dedicated on February 9, 1923. It was an impressive structure, albeit looked somewhat like a fortress.
On March 9, 1923, the Gazette reported,
“PUBLIC TO INSPECT NEW DUBUQUE SCHOOL TONIGHT.
Dubuque’s new senior high school building, erected at a cost of $715,000, will be formally thrown open to the public tonight. Classes have been conducted in the building since Feb. 20. An interesting program will be staged in the auditorium, which seats 1,200 persons” (page 2). The High School’s dedication ceremonies drew a massive crowd of approximately 4000, twice the number that would fill the new theater. Attendees at the event had to be split between the auditorium and gymnasium, with program speakers going from one location to the other.
That year 733 students were enrolled at Dubuque’s new high school, and the number kept climbing over the decades. The building has survived, and today is home to more than twice that number. The high school’s current theater is known as the Lamb-Hedeman Auditorium. In 2006, the space was completely renovated. None of the original features or décor of the 1923 auditorium remain. Any Sosman & Landis scenery installed in the Dubuque Senior High School in 1923 is long gone.
There 1920s were a turning point for many scenic studios and other theatre manufacturers. They began to target a new client – schools. As the demand for painted scenery continued to decline, studios desperately searched for other opportunities and projects. In the 1920s, school contacts offered the much-needed income for struggling firms. High school theaters also offered an affordable space for many community productions. Some studios formed entire departments to deal with school projects. The Twin Cities Scenic Co., even published an entire brochure about their completed stage installation for schools and high schools.
Many academic stages were constructed fo multipurpose use and there was in increased demand for fabric draperies. In some cases, draperies were used in lieu of painted scenes, reducing the overall expense of school productions.
Sosman & Landis delivered scenery to another another high school stage in 1923. It was for a two-night production by the Y. W. C. A. in Shamokin, Pennsylvania. On April 11, 1923, the “Shamokin News-Dispatch” reported:
“BETTY WHO
Two-act Modern Musical Comedy
to be Given at the High School April 23 and 24.
Scenery – New scenery made by Sosman & Landis of Chicago.”
Big names were brought in for this fundraising event. In addition to Sosman & Landis, Eaves of New York and Lester of Chicago were responsible for the costumes. Wigs were attributed to Schmidt of St. Louis. On April 24, 1923, the Shamokin News-Dispatch” reported, “The musical comedy, produced under the personal direction of Madame Mabel Chenault, was arranged for the benefit of the building fund of the Y.W.C.A.” (page 2). 300 locals were included in the cast. The show was advertised having catchy music, spectacular dances, splendid scenery and gorgeous comedy” (Shamokin News-Dispatch, 21 April 1923, page 7).
I am including a few high school designs by the Twin City Scenic Co. in the 1920s. They are part of the Performing Arts Archives, University of Minnesota.
Here is the link to the Scenery Collection database: https://umedia.lib.umn.edu/search?facet_field=collection_name_s&facets%5Bcollection_name_s%5D%5B%5D=Scenic+Collections
To be continued…
