By Marguerite Sand, Times-Union Women's Editor
For many years the color and excitement of vaudeville, chautauqua,
the lyceum, circuses, road and stock shows were part of the lives
of local residents, Reuben and Avis Ferns.
"We loved every minute of it," they will tell you today
if you ask them about their many experiences in the entertainment
world. They are not completely removed from grease paint, bright
costumes, the sound of dancing feet. Mrs. Ferns teaches more than
100 students at her dance studio here. Her husband operates a
costume business that ships to all parts of the United States.
Last night at the Warsaw high school the auditorium was filled
to capacity as Mrs. Ferns presented her pupils in the annual dance
revue sponsored by the Warsaw Dramatics club. The proceeds will
be used to help area young people further their education.
Takes Them Back
Getting ready for such an event takes a lot of time and work but
the Ferns do not mind, for it takes them back to a phase of their
lives when they applied the make up, wore the colorful costumes,
stood in the wings waiting their cues, heard the applause, knew
they had once again put on a good performance.
In these young people they see themselves as they were many years
ago. They keep waiting for one who will have that special spark,
that love of the stage that will keep him or her working until
the top in show business is reached.
Mrs. Ferns, a native of Warsaw, was the former Avis Schue. Her
step-father, Charles Argerbright, was at one time employed by
the Northern Indianian. Mrs. Ferns had a fine singing voice and
Jennie Frazer, a vocal instructor in the city school system encouraged
her to train it. Bess May Lowery, of Warsaw, was her first voice
teacher.
Those of the older generation will remember Mrs. Lowery, who at
one time was connected with chautauqua. Her husband, Homer was
a professor of engineering at Purdue university.
Appears at Winona
Later Mrs. Ferns studied with Prof. W. H. Owens, of Chicago, and
a Prof. Blumenshine at Dayton, Ohio. IN the meantime her fine
lyric soprano voice could be heard at Winona Lake as she appeared
in chautauqua programs. Some will remember her in the role of
Yum-Yum in Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado."
At last Prof. Owens believed she was ready to audition in Chicago.
IN the office of a theatrical agency the manager of a musical
comedy heard her sing, signed her up for a road show. She joined
the stock company at Traverse City, Mich. It was there she met
Mr. Ferns, who was producer-director and comedian of the show.
Reuben Ferns was born in Newark, N.J., the son of John W. and
Sarah (Morris) Ferns. His father was a Shakespearean actor, minstrel
and a champion clog dancer. The mother was a short story writer.
At the age of two, Mr. Ferns' theatrical training started. When
he was four his father taught him to dance. Shortly thereafter
the family moved to St. Louis where he received his education.
Mr. Ferns instructed four brothers. For three years Mr. Ferns
and his brother, Marty, teamed up in a song and dance act. Marty
eventually became a clown and animal impersonator at the Hippodrome
in New York City. An injury ended his short career.
Learns to Dance
When Mrs. Ferns first joined the company she sang ballads and
played piano, while Mr. Ferns taught her to dance. He had been
a "pedestal dancer." Elevated above the floor on a 14-inch
square pedestal top he could tap out a fast rhythm. Later he was
one of the first to adopt the famous style of Fred stone, now
identifed with Ray Bolger. That first year they played towns for
a week at a time-in tents in the summer, opera houses in the winter.
Mrs. Ferns learned not only to dance and sing, but to act, as
well.
In 1918, the Ferns were married. Not only did they team up martially
but as Ferns and Avis in vaudeville. He was a character comedian,
known for his rube, tramp and eccentric characterizations. His
wife sang, danced, acted as his "straight man."
Coast to Coast
Traveling from coast to coast and in Canada, the Ferns appeared
in such name places as the Wigwam in San Francisco, the Princess
theater in Boston. During the War years they played in bond and
Red Cross benefit shows. In their travels he was invariably asked
by hotel clerks. "Rooms for yourself and daughter?"
It was a joke with them, for Mrs. Ferns weighed but 80 pounds.
Those were wonderful years, and the Ferns' experiences were varied
as they went from vaudeville to musical comedy to repertoire stock
shows, and did some night club work. They were billed in "Peg
O My Heart," "Tennessee's Partner," "Little
Women," "Abie's Irish Rose," "Silk Stockings"
and many others.
In musical comedy Mrs. Ferns not only had prominent roles but
she produced chorus numbers and trained the line. Many costumes
were of her designing, and she made all her own. There were "fat"
days, and there were "lean" days, but they loved it.
With the advent of talkies the bottom dropped out of show business.
Not wanting to do night club work, the Ferns returned to Warsaw
18 years ago. He started the costume shop, is a member of the
National Costumers association. Upon request Mrs. Ferns started
to teach dancing. She is a member of the National Association
of Dance and Affiliated Artists. She has taught more than 8000
students in this area.
First Students
Darwin Eherenman, of Warsaw, was her first student. Then along
came Dorothy May Stookey (Hartman). Her little girl is now attending
classes. Other students in those earlier years were Burleigh Burgh,
the Emerick sisters and the William Long children, Mary Ann, Arthur
and Margie. The latter were with her the longest. Margie now helps
her teach Saturday morning classes. Brooks Black, who is well-known
for his tap on roller skates, was one of her pupils.
Each year Mrs. Ferns attends the dance seminar in Chicago, and
has students appearing at the Hinote dance festival at Flint Michigan.
Although the Ferns are no longer young in years, their interests
are young. They love children who return their affection, appreciate
Mrs. Ferns; patience and understanding, and Mr. Ferns ability
to entertain. They have not really left the bright lights they
enjoyed so much in their youth. They have brought them home with
them.
Ferns & Avis, vaudeville team in 1918 |
Avis Ferns, in character role in "Backyard Frolics" in 1936 |
Avis Ferns, the chautauqua star |
Avis & Reuben Ferns as they are today 1957 |
Warsaw Times-Union Saturday June 8, 1957
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