[简答题]The years between 1870 and 1895 brought enormous changes to the theater in the United States as the resident company was undermined by touring groups, as New York became the only major center of production, and as the long run replaced the repertory (库存). system. By 1870, the resident stock company was at the peak of its development in the United States. The 50 permanent companies of 1870, however, had dwindled to 20 by 1878, to 8 by 1880, to 4 by 1887, and had almost disappeared by 1900.
While the causes of this change are numerous, probably the most important was the rise of the "combination" company (that is, one that travels with stars and full company). Sending out a complete production was merely a logical ’extension of touting by stars. By the 1840’s many major actors were already taking along a small group of lesser players, for they could not be sure that local companies could supply adequate support in secondary roles.
There is much disagreement about the origin of