Irene Lewisohn

Irene Lewisohn
Born(1886 -09-05)September 5, 1886
New York City
DiedApril 4, 1944(1944-04-04) (aged 57)
New York City
Known forNeighborhood Playhouse
Museum of Costume Art
ParentLeonard Lewisohn
Relatives

Irene Lewisohn (September 5, 1886 – April 4, 1944) was the founder of the Neighborhood Playhouse and the Museum of Costume Art.[1]

Biography

She was the daughter of Rosalie Jacobs and Leonard Lewisohn.[2][3][4] Her father was of Jewish background. In 1905 she and her sister, Alice Lewisohn, began classes and club work at the Henry Street Settlement House in New York. They produced performances with both dance and drama. In 1915, they opened the Neighborhood Playhouse on the corner of Grand and Pitt Streets.[5] There they offered training in both dance and drama to children and teenagers. Irene was in charge of the dance training and production, with the assistance of Blanche Talmud. Alice Lewisohn was in charge of the dramatic arts.[6] In 1928 they opened The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre at 16 West Forty-sixth Street.[7] Irene Lewisohn died in 1944.[1][8][9]

Legacy

References

  1. ^ a b "Irene Lewisohn Dies. Founder Neighborhood Playhouse and Museum of Costume Art". New York Times. April 5, 1944. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  2. ^ Although she was listed as born in 1892 on her death certificate, all her passport applications list her birth as September 5, 1886 which fits in better with the birth of her sister in 1883.
  3. ^ "He Succumbed to Pneumonia in London After a Three Days' Illness. Was Fifty-four Years Old" (PDF). New York Times. March 6, 1902. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
  4. ^ "Leonard Lewisohn Left $12,000,000" (PDF). New York Times. March 6, 1902. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
  5. ^ "Historical note". New York Public Library. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  6. ^ "Guide to the Neighborhood Playhouse. Scenarios, 1914-1931". New York Public Library. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  7. ^ "Theatre Parties To Aid Charities And War Relief. 'Candle in the Wind' Special Performances to Help Britain And Children's Village". New York Times. September 28, 1941. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  8. ^ "Irene Lewisohn Rites Today". New York Times. April 6, 1944. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  9. ^ "1944". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  10. ^ "The Irene Lewisohn Costume Reference Library". Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 2008-12-16.