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The article presents information on the plays of the 19th and early-20th century, in which the 21st century actors find it challenging to act. After actor David Lamb was cast in a revival of Dion Boucicault's "The Octoroon," he made a trip to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, and read several books related to the play. There was no formal training for actors in the 19th century. Actors learned through imitation, and by looking at the work of other actors. INSET: Expressions of Glee: Performing Early Musical Theatre.