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Martha Morton: America's First Professional Woman Playwright

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 October 2010

Rosemary Gipson
Rosemary Gipson
Affiliation:
Associate Professor of Drama at the University of Arizona.
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Extract

Martha Morton was a remarkable woman — a talented and energetic person whose career in the New York theatre extended from 1890 to 1915, a time when women were expected to concern themselves with traditional roles and when public life and outside work were adventures for only a few daring women. In spite of efforts to sweep her aside, Morton opened the doors for American women, who followed after her, to participate in the theatre as playwrights, directors, producers, and professional members of theatre organizations.

Type
Research Article
Information
Theatre Survey , Volume 23 , Issue 2 , November 1982 , pp. 213 - 222
Copyright
Copyright © American Society for Theatre Research 1982

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References

NOTES

1 Patterson, Ada, “A Chat with the Dean of America's Women Playwrights,” The Theatre. 10 (October 1909), 130.Google Scholar

2 Ibid.

3 Quoted in Ibid, p. 130.

4 “Big Earnings of Big Plays,” The Theatre, 18 (November 1913), 153.

5 New York Times, March 26, 1893.

6 Ibid., December 2, 1896.

7 Morton's published plays include: Helene, New York: J. W. Lovell Co., 1889; A Bachelor's Romance, New York: S. French, 1912; Her Lord and Master, New York: S. French, 1912; Val Sinestra, New York: E. P. Dutton, 1924. Typescripts and prompt books on file at the New York Public Library include: Brother John (1893), A Fool of Fortune (1896), His Wife's Father (1895), The Movers (1907), and The Senator Keeps House (1911).

8 Patterson, , “A Chat with the Dean,” p. 129.Google Scholar

9 Ibid.

10 Ibid.

11 Frame, Virginia, “Women Who Have Written Successful Plays,” The Theatre, 6 (October 1906), 265.Google Scholar

12 Patterson, , “Chat With the Dean,” p. 126.Google Scholar

13 Burns, Shirley, “Women Dramatists,” Green Book Album, 6 (September 1910), 633.Google Scholar

14 Ibid.

15 Patterson, , “Chat with the Dean,” p. 129.Google Scholar

16 New York Times. October 10, 1909.

17 Patterson, , “Chat with the Dean,” p. 128.Google Scholar

18 New York Times, August 10, 1892.

19 Ibid., January 6, 1937.

20 “A New Society of American Dramatic Authors,” The Theatre, 7 (March 1907), 84.

21 Ibid.

22 New York Herald, January 21, 1907.

23 “New Society of American Dramatic Authors,” pp. 84, vii, ix.

24 New York Times, January 21, 1907.

25 Burns, , “Women Dramatists,” p. 633.Google Scholar

26 Patterson, , “Chat with the Dean,” p. 128.Google Scholar

27 Burns, , “Women Dramatists,” p. 633.Google Scholar