One of the first signs of approaching spring at the University is the awakening of latent interest in undergraduate drama. The Hasty Pudding play has been chosen and already plans for its production are rapidly getting under way. We hear vague rumors of Pi Eta comedies and D. U. revivals, while above them all rises the call of the Dramatic Club for short plays for the spring production.

Ever since its founding in 1908 the Dramatic Club has been unique among college theatrical organizations. From the beginning its fundamental aim has been to exclude professionalism and make its work the product of undergraduate talent. At present its autumn and spring productions are staged, acted, and coached by members of the University.

In the writing of acceptable plays, however, undergraduate ability is usually lacking and in this department, alone the club has been almost entirely dependent on the work of graduate dramatists. Granting that it is difficult for undergraduates to write good long plays, there is no reason why the short plays which the Dramatic Club stages in the spring should not be the products of their pens. There are plenty of men in the University with both time and ability to conceive plots and weave them into plays for the enjoyment of others.

The spring play competition of the Dramatic Club closes next week and so far the number of undergraduate contributions has been disgracefully small. "Indifference" and "laziness" are oft quoted words, but they come perilously near the truth some times. Granted the ability and the time, what is the matter with the undergraduate dramatist?