As a performer Charlotte Cushman portrayed almost 190 characters. Obviously
it would be impossible to list all of them. Instead, the following is a list
of some of some of her best-known and most well received roles. I’ve
also included some milestones in her personal life.
1830
Charlotte makes her first public appearance at the age of fourteen. She performs in a recital arranged by her singing teacher. Shortly after this appearance, she is spotted singing in a church choir by Robert Sheppard. He is so moved by her voice that he offers to be her patron.
1835
Charlotte makes her professional debut as Countess Almaviva in Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro in Boston. She receives generally favorable reviews.
1836
Charlotte Debuts as Lady Macbeth at New Orleans’ St. Charles Theater. Spectators and critics alike respond favorably to her performance. She completes one season in New Orleans whereupon she moves to New York in order to become a stock actress.
1837
Charlotte is called to fill in during a performance of Guy Mannering. She plays the role of the gypsy Meg Merriles and wins rave reviews for creative and risky approach to the role.
1842
Charlotte begins managing the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. She not only runs the theatre but performs as well. During her time in Philadelphia, Cushman becomes close to young writer Anne Brewster. The exact nature of their relationship is unknown but Brewster’s brother comes to see the association as “wicked” and forces Anne to abandon the association.
1843
Cushman commissions a portrait of herself by Thomas Sully. While at the artist’s
home,
she meets and falls in love with his daughter Rosalie. The relationship is
clearly an
intimate one. Cushman’s 1844 diary mentions sleeping with “Rose”
and includes the
entry “R. Saturday, July 6th Married.”
1845
Charlotte sets off for a tour of London. She leaves Anne behind and will
never see her
again as Anne passes away during Charlotte’s tour abroad.
1845-1845
While in London, Charlotte becomes aquainted with many women artists and
writers.
Among them is Matilda Hays, a novelist, writer and translator of the works
of George
Sand. Cushman and Hays would become romantic partners onstage and off and
would be
be publicly recognized as a couple.
1849
Cushman returns to America a star. As such, she commands pay equal to that
of most
prominent male actors.
1852
Cushman retires and makes her home in Rome. While there, Cushman uses her
celebrity
and influence to promote the careers of other women artists.
1854
Hays leaves Cushman for another woman. They remain friends until 1957.
During these years, Cushman grows close to Emma Stebbins, who remains by
Charlotte’s side until her death.
1869
Cushman is diagnosed with breast cancer and moves back to the United States.
1874
Charlotte gives a series of farewell performances. She performs readings instead of plays, for which she no longer had the stamina. After her final performance in New York, William Cullen Bryant recites an ode in her honor, and the show is followed by a parade on Fifth Avenue and a Fireworks display.
1876
After the tour, Stebbins accompanies Cushman to Boston, where Cushman dies on February 18, 1876.