Mabel Rowland

Mabel Rowland (February 8, 1879 – February 21, 1943) was an American monologist, actress, writer, director, editor, and the founder of the Metropolitan Players in New York City.

Mabel Rowland
A young white woman's face and upper torso, in an oval frame. Her dark wavy hair is arranged at chin length, and she is wearing a light-colored dress with a scooped neck.
Mabel Rowland, from a 1909 photograph by Sarony.
Born
Mabel Laura Levi

February 8, 1879
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DiedFebruary 21, 1943
Hollywood, California
Occupation(s)Actress, monologist, writer, director, editor
RelativesAdele Rowland (sister)
C. O'Conor Goolrick (brother-in-law)

Early life

Mabel Laura Levi was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,[1][2] to Abraham D. Levi and Adelina (Lloyd) Levi. Her father was a printer and engraver. Her younger sister was the actress and singer Adele Rowland.[3]

Career

Rowland wrote a weekly column, "Mabelle's Letter on Fashion and Frivolity" for The Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper as a young woman.[4] Rowland was a monologist, who gave short, comic character sketches.[5] She also did publicity, and managed her actress sister's career.[6]

In 1916 Rowland organized a wartime fundraiser, a cookbook, with recipes contributed by over 200 actors and actresses.[7] She also edited Bert Williams: Son of Laughter (1923), a collection of tributes to Bert Williams, a fellow comedian and actor,[8] written by notable performers and others, including David Belasco, Eddie Cantor, W.C. Fields, W. E. B. Du Bois, and Ring Lardner.[9][10]

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 and improve professional opportunities for women in theatre.[3][4][11]

Rowland was a benefactor of the Bide-a-Wee Home for Friendless Animals, and received a medal for her support of the organization.[12]

Personal life

Mabel Levi married three times. Her first husband was John B. Rowland, head of an advertising agency; they married in 1900, and he died from typhoid fever in 1908.[13][14] Her second husband was Robert Emmet Mason Goolrick, a lieutenant in the United States Army; they married in 1911, and later divorced.[15] Her last husband was a fellow theatre professional, Jay Strong; they separated in 1940. She died on February 21, 1943, aged 64 years, at her sister's home in Hollywood, California.[3][16] Her book Bert Williams: Son of Laughter was reprinted in 1969.[17]

References
  1. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMFQ-H42 : accessed 30 December 2020), Mable D Levi in household of A D D Levi, Washington city, Washington, District of Columbia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 82, sheet 14B, family 216, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,161.
  2. "District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XL36-8X5 : 10 March 2018), John B Rowland and Mabel L Levi, 06 Jun 1900; citing p. 142, Records Office, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 2,108,219.
  3. "Mabel Rowland, 61, Actress, Writer, Dies. Was Founder and Director of Metropolitan Players Here". New York Times. February 23, 1943. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  4. 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.
  5. "Mabel Rowland Offers Novel Comedy Sketches". Women's Wear: 10. Nov 19, 1923 – via ProQuest.
  6. "Mrs. Tearle Hits Art in her Raid". Times Union. 1916-03-28. p. 14. Retrieved 2020-06-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Celebrated Actor Folks' Cookeries: A Collection of the Favorite Foods of Famous Players. Mabel Rowland, Incorporated. 1916.
  8. 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.
  9. Byrne, Kevin James (2020-05-06). Minstrel Traditions: Mediated Blackface in the Jazz Age. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-17257-7.
  10. "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.
  11. Canning, Hazel (1927-01-09). "Protects the Stage-Struck Girls". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 96. Retrieved 2020-06-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "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.
  13. "District of Columbia Marriages, 1830-1921", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWM3-8R7 : 11 January 2020), Mabel L. Levi in entry for John B. Rowland, 1900.
  14. "John B. Rowland Dead". Automobile Trade Journal. 13: 123. January 1, 1909.
  15. "Socks at $3 Shatter Bliss of Actress Wed to Army Man". New-York Tribune. 1915-05-04. p. 16. Retrieved 2020-06-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "The Final Curtain". Billboard: 27. March 6, 1943.
  17. 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.
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