UNIQUE POSITION.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17410, 24 May 1928, Page 9

UNIQUE POSITION.

WOMAN AS STAGE MANAGER. America boasts that, she has the only woman stage manager in the world. She is Miss Maude Howell, a Californian, and graduate of Leland Stanford University. When young she ‘developed an interest in drama, and directed student plays at high schools, then became an actress, joining the Jessie Bonstelle slock company at Cleveland, Ohio. With this company she gained experience at stage managing on a small scale. Then ambition compelled Miss Howell to strike out for Broadway. Her big chance came with George Arliss in the “Green Goddess.” At first she was told it was impossible for her, or any woman, to become a stage manager. She would have to manage burly workmen, mechanics, electricians, and the job did not call for a woman at all. So she asked to be made assistant stage manager. They agreed to this, and the play opened in Philadelphia. A few days later the stage manager was seized with appendicitis. Miss Howell applied for the job, and the producers meekly gave in. Ever since she has stage managed for George Arliss—five years in the “Green Goddess,” a year in London, then in “Old English,” and now in New York, where he is producing Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice."