Historic Photo Gallery: Beginnings to 1849

1840s

By her mid-20s, Charlotte Cushman (left), depicted here with her sister Susan in Romeo and Juliet, was heralded as one of the finest actors America had ever produced. She was also one of the first female stage managers, today known as stage directors. Tall and ruggedly built with a pronounced jaw, wide-set eyes and angular features, she was not a traditional leading lady. She became renowned for playing male characters, as there were a limited number of great dramatic roles for women. In Cushman's case, however, breeches (male) roles suited her better, with her most famous role being Romeo. In 1843, Charlotte Cushman became the first female manager of the Walnut. She also continued to be one of America's leading actresses and was a pioneer in protecting actresses, who were considered "loose women" at the time, from being taken advantage of by men. (Image courtesy of the Theatre Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia.)

« back next »

In This Chapter

next chapter: 1850 to 1899 »