During the Summer of 1936, Melchor Ferrer was pondering the wisdom of staying one more year at Princeton
University. In the end he decided to return, but for only one reason - he wanted to win the annual Theatre Intime contest for the best play written by a Princeton undergraduate.
The award came with a $50 prize, but more importantly, there would be
personal recognition and the opportunity to stage a work that was 100% his
own creation.
While seniors were given precedence in such matters,
on March 2nd it was announced that sophomore student Melchor G. Ferrer
of New York had won first prize for his work entitled "Awhile to Work",
which was described as a "comedy with serious overtones." The story
concerned three young couples at a house party over a weekend in which
they come to see themselves properly for the first time. Mel played the
leading role of Michael and cast his soon-to-be wife Frances Pilchard
opposite himself as Deane. Rounding out the cast were John G. Anderton,
Jr. (class of '38) who was cast as Bryan opposite Anne E. Pettit as
Pinky. The third couple was played by Sterling A. Mackinnon, (class of
'39) as Kurt opposite Jane Craig, who played Jane.
The play had a six-day run at the Murray Theatre and
according to the New York Times was "enthusiastically received." It was
also part of a week-end celebration for Prom Night that included a
Friday dance from 11pm to 4am and another dance on Saturday from 9pm to
midnight that was preceded by the play "Awhile to Work". Whether the
thespians took part in both dance events is unknown, but Frances
Pilchard is definitely listed among the guests.
"Awhile to Work" represents the culmination of Mel Ferrer's Princeton efforts, the justification
for his second year of college and a well needed boost to the self esteem he needed at
this time. It wasn't enough to keep him at Princeton, however.
