Friday
Seattle, Wa.
Dear Pat,
Please excuse this long delay in writing - there is really no substantial excuse I can give. I guess it's just a case of negligence on my part. If you would accept the excuse that I was very busy accainting [sic] myself to school etc. I would be much relieved. Thank you so much for your wonderful letters and the beautiful Christmas card. Actually, I have started several letters to you, but never seemed to finish them. And without further ado I will proceed into this one before I get side-tracked again.
First of all for the Northwest: I like it very much especially Spokane, which is about 290 miles east of Seattle. It is the only other "good-sized" city in Wash. besides Seattle. it [sic] is the lovely little (not too little) city where I spent my vacation, which you seemed to think was unfair. I do also, but I enjoyed every minute & every second of it. We had a wonderful week-end and camping trip along a mountain lake and then went up into British Columbia. It was real exciting and a hell-uva lot of fun. With the exception of two other kiddos, the party was comprised of non-theatre folk, and believe me that was a welcomed change. Theatre folk were really wearing thin. My only problem in the whole 8 day vacation was finding something to do. But that, too, was a welcomed relief. In the midst of this life of leisure I did a terrible thing; I was best man at a wedding, which, to me, is the next worst thing to becoming being the groom. But it was a very lovely wedding. One of the nicest I've ever seen.
I've only been back to Spokane once, since that time and that was during Thanksgiving vacation.
I wanted to go over during Christmas but was to[o] busy around here with getting Anasthasia built. (our next showboat show). Speaking of Christmas, I hope you had a happy one. I assume you made it home. How is everyone & thing[s]?
Secondly ....... Secondly, if you'll excuse me, I'll go to bed. I just got home from a holiday party at it is 3:30 A.M. and strike & set-in tomorrow night. I'll finish this in the morning ..... I promise!!! Scout's honour [smiley face] See you in the morning - - - - -
Well, after a very nice breakfast I'll continue this abortion in hopes that I don't bore you too much with my jabber[.]
The "U" is very large - the 7th or 8th largest in the country - there is an enrollment of about 15 or 16,0000. It is a lovely campus, that is, what I've seen of it. I have yet to explore the entire campus. And as far as studies, well - - - so-so. I just found out I passed English composition, but I don't know how I made out on the others. We have a quarter system out here, which means we have more finals than you do. I'm not taking a full load of studies because of the assistantship. I'll probably take it easy next quarter, too, and then really hit the books. (that is, I'll take at least 17 hrs, which is the maximum per quarter. So far I've only had a dispute with one instructor and that was in Eng. Lit. He did not like my interpretation and I didn't agree with the way he wanted it interpreted & this is Chaucer I'm speaking about.) He says there is no profanity in Chaucer - I say there is - I don't know what I'll receive from him, but I'm sure it won't be any higher than a "C", if that much.
The Drama. Dept is also big. It is very well equipped: three theatres, opera, children's theatre, and touring shows. This does not mean it is the best school for drama in the country, but it has it's [sic] merits - and demerits.
It has a staff of 4 directors, plus student graduate directors, a costumer with 2 full time helpers. The technical dept is quite large. We have a scene designer, who designs almost all the sets, save for thesis productions and children's shows; he also designs the lighting for each production (with small changes by the person who is lighting the show). There is an assistant designer, whose main job is to see that the sets get painted, he also designs the children's shows and other special productions. There is the technical director, whose job is mainly just to see that things get done. Then there are the poor bastards like myself. There are three of us. We each take a show (in turn) and must see that it gets built, painted, set-up and struke. [sic] For help w We are also in charge of the "Labs" and you know what they are like - we each take one of those. More fun!!!?? [pouty face]
We also have an electrician, who is on the same status as myself and the other boys, but he has to light every show - he doesn't have to work it, but just light it. The only time he gets a break is when one of us guys light a show - - I haven't done so yet, but I think I will soon - it's extra money. Stage managers, company manager, electricians, stage hands etc. (all except actors) all get paid for their troubles. And most of the actors are on some sort of scholarship. They have a crew of boys who are on a scholarship who just have to help on strikes and set-ins. There are various and sundries things I could go into but I don't have time.
As for the shows ......
In the showboat, since I've been here we've had - Four poster, Rainmaker, trans Atlantic comedy (an original by the head of the dept[)], and opening next week is Anastasia. Shows run six weeks - Tues thru Sat.
In the penthouse (arena) we've had ...
Tender Trap, the pleasures all mine (an original by the head of the dept.) Front page, George & Margaret, a horrible show and while eating breakfast I ran across the review for this show and I am enclosing it. The next show in the Penthouse is "Charley's Aunt".
In the Playhouse, that is were [sic] we do the more theatrical productions and most of them are thesis productions, we've had .... well, during the summer they did summer stock of Gilbert & Sullivan. This fall we've had The Fischbeck Tapestry - very charming & different show. Of Mice & Men, and a double bill of Opera - Amahl and the Night Visitors and an opera version of Riders to the Sea. That just closed following that we will have Medea - and after that show's Caesar & Cleo, then another opera which I don't know yet. (Don Pequalli (spelling??) - or something like that.)
We have children's theatre which plays down town for 3 or 4 weeks & then goes on tour for a week or five days. The operas sometimes go on tour also.
I know we had to build double sets for Amahl because it went on tour the same time it was playing here - double cast also - but instead of taking Riders along with it we had to take another Menotti opera called Telephone.
Well, Pat, I really must sign off for now as I do have some last minute things to do on Anastasia. it [sic] sets-in tonight.
I hope I haven't bored you too much with the detail of this dept. It's not the best description, but it will give you an idea.
Did you see any of M. H.'s frolic this year? Please drop me a line soon and let me know how things are going. I will try to do better in my future correspondence.
My very best to ya! - Seasons Greetings -
Love
John [Custer]
P.S. The set for Trans-Atlantic has twin revolvers. For the expense & work that went into it, it was a real nothing set. But such is life.
Something like this
[Only the first part of the article about the English comedy "George and Margaret" is scanned, but the whole article was included in the letter.]