The year was 1943 and I was an apprentice at Cape May, New Jersey. In the middle of the summer, the leading lady left to do a soap opera and T.C. Upom, who ran the theatre, called me in the box office and said he wanted me to replace her – but he wouldn’t be paying me. I said, “You know, Mr. Upom, I think that’s illegal.” He said, “You know, you are right.” So I called my father in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and he sent me $100, which is what it cost; my salary was $46 a week. Was I proud when I went back to the Neighborhood Playhouse for my second year! I was now a professional actress!
