Jessie Bonstelle: A Biography

Abstract

This thesis is a study of an oft-forgotten trailblazer in the theatre, Jessie Bonstelle, nee Laura Justine Bonesteele-Stuart. Through this paper I hope to bring her back into prominence among theatre historians as she richly deserves. Her widely varied accomplishments included: 1) a career as a successful stock actress, manager, director, and producer, 2) the implementation of the first municipal theatre in the United States, 3) the formation of the first civic theatre in the United States, 4) leadership in community concerns, 5) a legacy of ideas, not always fulfilled in her lifetime, but imbedded in the minds of the next generation of actors, directors, writers, designers, and even audiences. The basic organization of this thesis is chronological. Chapter One deals with her childhood and her early work as an actress/director/producer. This was a formative time for Jessie Bonstelle and the knowledge that was gathered would be used later in life. Chapter Two shows how she began to move into national fame. Jessie Bonstelle was a successful producer, working with some of the greats, such as William A. Brady and the Shuberts, with her production of Little Women in 1912. Also that year she started one of the first community oriented theatres in the United States, The Northampton Municipal Theatre. With the outbreak of World War I, Jessie Bonstelle became interested in community affairs; she was active in The Stage Women's Executive Committee and The Suffragists Organization as well as others. The final Chapter deals with the culmination of all her years of work in drama, when she opened the Bonstelle Playhouse. Later The Playhouse would become America's first Civic Theatre, located in Detroit. During this period the legacy she created would become apparent. My study resulted n my discovery of a woman who surpassed peers and overcame problems. Jessie Bonstelle blazed many trails, cared greatly for people, and never forgot her own mortality. Her mortality is what drove her to promote the starting actor/actress over herself, knowing that as an actress she would die and be forgotten. Her love for her theatre created her own golden rule: theatre first, Jessie second.