Mabel Rowland
Mabel Rowland | |
|---|---|
 Mabel Rowland, from a 1909 photograph by Sarony. | |
| Born | February 8, 1882 Philadelphia |
| Died | February 21, 1943 Hollywood, California |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, monologist, writer, director, editor |
Mabel Rowland (February 8, 1882 – February 21, 1943) was an American monologist, actress, writer, director, editor, and the founder of the Metropolitan Players in New York City.
Early life
She was born on February 8, 1882, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Abe Rowland. Her sister was the actress and singer Adele Rowland.[1]
Career
Rowland wrote a weekly column, "Mabelle's Letter on Fashion and Frivolity" for the Cincinnati Inquirer newspaper as a young woman.[2] Rowland was a monologist, who gave short, comic character sketches.[3] She also did publicity, and managed her actress sister's career.[4]
In 1916, Rowland organized a wartime fundraiser, a cookbook, with recipes contributed by over 200 actors and actresses.[5] She also edited Bert Williams: Son of Laughter (1923), a collection of tributes to Bert Williams, a fellow comedian and actor,[6] written by notable actors and others, including David Belasco, Eddie Cantor, and W. E. B. Du Bois.[7][8]
In 1925, Rowland was founder and director of the Metropolitan Players in New York City. In 1926, she was founder of the Institute of the Woman's Theatre, to increase professional opportunities for women in theatre.[1][2]
Rowland was a benefactor of the Bide-a-Wee Home for Friendless Animals, and received a medal for her support of the organization.[9]
Personal life
Around 1911 Mabel married Robert Emmett Mason Goolrick. She was married to director Jay Strong until they separated in 1940. She died on February 21, 1943, aged 61 years, at her sister's home in Hollywood, California.[1] Her book Bert Williams: Son of Laughter was reprinted in 1969.[10]
References
- ^ a b c "Mabel Rowland, 61, Actress, Writer, Dies. Was Founder and Director of Metropolitan Players Here". New York Times. February 23, 1943. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ^ a b White, Ann Folino (January 2019). "In Behalf of the Feminine Side of the Commercial Stage: The Institute of the Woman's Theatre and Stagestruck Girls". Theatre Survey. 60 (1): 35–66. doi:10.1017/S0040557418000492. ISSN 0040-5574.
- ^ "Mabel Rowland Offers Novel Comedy Sketches". Women's Wear: 10. Nov 19, 1923 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Mrs. Tearle Hits Art in her Raid". Times Union. 1916-03-28. p. 14. Retrieved 2020-06-25 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Celebrated Actor Folks' Cookeries: A Collection of the Favorite Foods of Famous Players. Mabel Rowland, Incorporated. 1916.
- ^ Rowland, Mabel (1923). Bert Williams, son of laughter; a symposium of tribute to the man and to his work. New York City: The English Crafters.
- ^ Byrne, Kevin James (2020-05-06). Minstrel Traditions: Mediated Blackface in the Jazz Age. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-17257-7.
- ^ "Letter from Mabel Rowland to W. E. B. Du Bois, June 16, 1922". W. E. B. Du Bois papers, UMass Amherst. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Honr Miss Rowland, Friend of Bide-A-Wee: Teddy, Police Dog, Will Present Medal to Benefactor of Home on Thursday". The New York Times. December 3, 1922. p. 33 – via ProQuest.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Rowland, Mabel (1969). Bert Williams, son of laughter; a symposium of tribute to the man and to his work. New York: Negro Universities Press. ISBN 978-0-8371-1667-9.
External links
- Mabel Rowland at the Internet Broadway Database
- A photograph of Mabel Rowland in the Billy Rose Theatre Collection, New York Public Library.
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