S. I. Conner, A. M.

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S. I. CONNER, A. M. DRAMATIC IMPERSONATOR AND ENTERTAINER.
UNDER THE EXCLUSIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE
INTER-STATE LECTURE BUREAU.




AS OLD FAGAN IN OLIVER TWIST.

SEASON 1901-02.

GREETING.
It is with pleasure that we present Mr. S. I. Conner to the public for another season.  His past eight years of marked success on the platform warrants for him a cordial reception in his revisits to those places where he has been so favorably received.  To those who have not heard him in his inimitable readings and dramatic impersonations we bespeak the highest satisfaction.  His delineation of characters and his perfect impersonation of the most delicate personages of literature, including pathos and humor, prove his mastery of this difficult art.

Mr. Conner is a prince among entertainers and as a dramatic impersonator he stands in the front rank of artists.

THE MANAGEMENT.




Repertoire:

I.
An Evening with Different Standard Authors.
II.
The Merchant of Venice.
III.
The Prisoner of Zenda.
IV.
The Soldiers of Fortune.



Personal Comment.
Mr. S. I. Conner, who has been in Muncie the past year, winning the hearts of the Muncie people by his inimitable readings, will spend the summer in eastern cities.  Muncie has, through Mr. Conner, received an impetus to develop the talent he discovered among her citizens During the past year Muncie has had more good things placed before her in the home talent line than ever before.  Most of these were due to the untiring and ambitious efforts of Mr. Conner.  As Shylock, in The Merchant of Venice, he was criticised by those in the audience who had been fortunate enough to see many in the same part with more renouned reputation and he stood the test.  His careful study of the subject has made it possible for him to bring out the true character of the Jew, equal to many of the best actors taking the part.

On the other hand, Mr. Conner showed himself capable of dealing with characters, widely different, when he delighted the audience with Pitticus Green, in Hazel Kirk.  Here, the naturalness which he displayed, brought down the house with laughter, at times, while at others the bigheartedness of Pitticus, brought forth a sympathetic and filial feeling for him.

Mr. Conner has been very busy during the winter, both with readings in Muncie and other Indiana cities and his talent and execution of it is heartily recognized in those parts of the State that have been fortunate enough to secure him for readings, or in training for amateur theatricals.

BESSIE LEE BLEASE.


A large audience was delighted last night at the Normal University by the entertainment given by Mr. S. I. Conner.  He has both the grace and talent which make a successful elocutionist.  His best efforts were in the Sermon on the Foxes' Tails, That Old Sweetheart of Mine and The Interviewer. Mr. Conner's rendition of the Peach of Emerald Hue was of merit.  In the Defense of the Bride his gestures and articulation were splendid.—
The Muncie, Ind. Morning Star.



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Mr. Conner showed that while he is an excellent elocutionist he is also an actor of ability and as a comedian he brought down the house.  Sheridan's famous comedy does not call for any horse play but requires the most delicate handling and Mr. Conner proved his ability by giving the lines according to the most approved traditions of the good old school of comedy.—
Cambridge Springs, Pa., News.

Hon. Henry Houck, Deputy State Superintendent of Pennsylvania, says: I heartily recommend Mr. Conner as a speaker and entertainer.

Dr. Kellogg, pastor of Trinity church, Youngstown, Ohio, says: I have seen much of Mr. S. I. Conner's work and regard him as superior in his profession.

Prof. A. J. Leonard, of Youngstown, Ohio, says: I have heard Mr. Conner in the line of his profession with pleasure and profit and our young people who have been under his instruction show evidence of thorough and wise training.

Henry K. Caskey, General Secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association, of Youngstown, Ohio, says: I have had the pleasure of listening to Mr. S. I. Conner's readings a number of times and his work has been entirely satisfactory.

F. Treudley, Superintendent of Youngstown, Ohio, schools, says: Mr. S. I. Conner is a good speaker and reader and an admirable gentleman in every way.

Dr. I. C. Ketler, President of Grove City College, Pa., says: Mr. S. I. Conner has unusual ability as a humorist and dramatic master.



ENTERTAINMENT A SUCCESS.

The second number of the lecture course was given at the U. B. Church, Tuesday evening, by Mr. S. I. Conner.
Mr. Conner is a dramatic impersonator of rare ability.  The readings were varied including the humorous, the pathetic and the sublime.  The selections were not chosen at random, but besides serving the purpose of furnishing delightful entertainment, they were highly instructive.  What more forcible argument could be made against unnatural elocutionary training than that made by Mr. Conner in his impersonation of the school boy and the young lady reciting the selection from Eugene Field.  The writer has seen everal impersonations of Shylock, but none to equal that given by Mr. Conner.  The careful and wrapt attention of the audience vouchsafes the statement that this entertainment was a genuine treat for a literary people.—

Reporter, Lynn, Ind.

Prof. James Marshall, President of Bourbon, Ind., college: Mr. S. I. Conner has the most remarkable control over an audience of any reader I know.  His reading here pleased so well it was the universal desire of every one for a return date.

John F. Bigler, President of Edinboro, Pa., Normal: Mr. Conner is always a success in his entertainments.

Calvin Ochiltree, Superintendent Fayette County schools, Connersville, Ind.: Mr. S. I. Conner is one of the most popular Institute instructors we have had in Fayette county.  He fully understands both the theory and practice of good reading, therefore his lectures are strong in thought and full of life.  Any one desiring special work in reading, or a reading entertainment, can not do better than employ Mr. Conner.


Mr. Conner impressed his hearers with the fact that he knew both what to say and how to say it and his splendid talks were well received.  His reading of Ella Wheeler Wilcox's Ships at Sea, Cataline's Reply and other selections proved him an elocutionist of great power.  When he closed his last talk in the afternoon with the rendition of a ditty by Eugene Field he left the floor amid a storm of applause.—
Connersville Courier.

R. H. Harney, County Superintendent of schools of Boone county, Ind.: Mr. S. I. Conner, delightfully entertained our institute, both in afternoon and evening.  The teachers and visitors were greatly pleased with the recitations and voted Mr. Conner an instructor as well as an entertainer.


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W. R. Snyder, Superintendent Public Schools, Muncie, Ind.; Mr. Conner has been before our community the past year as a reader and always with great success.  At the close of the year we appreciate him more highly than ever.

Mr. Conner is an unusual speaker and entertainer.—Eugene Kelley, Past Grand Emminent Commander of the Masons,

I regard Mr. S. I. Conner as an exceptionally good reader.—Dr. R. J. Aley, of Indiana University, Bloomington.


Mr. S. I. Conner is an entertainer of remarkable ability and is able to please the most critical.—
Indianapolis, Ind. News.


Mr. S. I. Conner stands in the front rank of the best readers on the platform—
Pittsburg, Pa. Leader.


There never was an elocutionist who came to this city who has such popularity.—
Youngstown, O., Vindicator.


Mr. S. I. Conner gave a splendid evening.  His humorous selections are rare treats.—
Franklin, Pa., News.


Mr. S. I. Conner gave an enjoyable entertainment in the college chapel Tuesday evening.  His selections were very much enjoyed by an audience that completely filled the chapel and Mr. Conner was recognized as an elocutionist of much ability.—
New Wilmington, Pa., Globe.


Those who expected to be disappointed in Mr. Conner's Shakespearean selection, on account of the works of ancient date, were happily surprised in his rendition of the Merchant of Venice, showing that human nature was the same centuries ago as it is today.  His every number was greatly pleasing to the audience.—
Linesville, Pa., Herald.


Mr. S. I. Conner's entertainment was interesting throughout and his selections new.—
Oil City, Pa., Blizzard.


The reading by S. I. Conner, the dramatic impersonator, in the Presbyterian church, was a very enjoyable affair.  He is undoubtedly the master of facial expression.—
Fairfield, Ia., Tribune.


His old men characters are especially fine and he holds the close attention of his audience without any bluster, but by a peculiar, quiet way, which is very effective.—
Elwood, Pa., Motor.


Mr. S. I. Conner gave the people of Edinboro a first-class entertainment last night.  His selections were excellent and his reading natural.  The audience spent a happy hour.—
Edinboro, Pa., Independent.

Emerson says: A good reader can, in a sort, nestle into Plato's brain and think from thence, but not into Shakespear's.  We are still out of doors.  You must see Shakespear's characters depicted to get a true conception of them.

Characters represented by Mr. Conner in The Merchant of Venice:

Shylock, a rich Jew.
Antonio, The Merchant of Venice.
Bassanio, Kinsman of Antonio.
Duke of Venice, In the trial scene.
Portia, Heiress of Belmont.
Nerissa, Her Waiting Woman.
Launcelot Gobbo, Servant of Shylock, afterward to Bassanio.
Old Gobbo, Father of Launcelot.
Tubal, a Wealthy Hebrew.
Gratiano, Friend of Bassanio.
Salanio, Salarino,}Friends of Antonio.



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