A N o b l e an d S y m m e t r i c a l C o n c e p t i o n o f L i f e
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and on institutions like the University choir and band, which existed to perform at University religious and athletic events. This was most visible in the realm of theater. An early example of a student theater group, Blackfriars was created in 1904 by fourteen students as an order of imaginary friars and offered every year until 1941 (except 1918) annual productions of cleverly written spoofs by local students and faculty, often focusing on local issues or contemporary concerns of students. The early members developed a camaraderie and folksy selfassurance that became part of alumni memories. Many of the early leaders went on to highly successful professional careers, some in the arts and others in business, law, and medicine.4 Most of the Blackfriars productions were comic operas with musical numbers interposed with humorous dialogue. Titles varied from “The King’s Kalender Keeper” in 1905 to “The Lyrical Liar” in 1909 to “Pranks of Paprika” in 1913. A 1917 description of the productions reported that they had grown in complexity and performative value: “Originally the order had no higher aim than to amuse the University public. Outside of a love scene or two, the first show was not hampered by a plot, but as the University grew and the student body assumed an air of erudition a broader raison d’etre was demanded of the Blackfriars. So now to evoke any enthusiasm a production must be not only clever, but also logical, edifying, accurate, beautiful, well-staged, expensive and histrionically above reproach.”5 Blackfriars was supported by private contributions from (mainly) senior faculty and staff, ticket sales, and advertising revenue. A list of its patrons from the 1930s included many members of the Board of 4. See Walter L. Gregory, “Twenty Years with the Blackfriars,” Blackfriars Records, Box 4. Gregory later became the president of the State Street Council and was the original organizer of the State Street Christmas parade in 1934. 5. Blackfriars’ Songbook, 1917, p. 4, Blackfriars Records, Box 3.