Eva Allen Alberti

Eva Allen Alberti
Born
Evangel Eva Allen

April 4, 1856
Alfred, New York, U.S.
DiedMarch 6, 1938(1938-03-06) (aged 81)
New York City
Alma materAlfred University
Occupationdramatics teacher
EmployerTeachers College, Columbia University
Organizations
  • New York College of Expression
  • Young People's Theater, Carnegie Hall
Spouse
William Maxson Alberti
​
​
(m. 1879)​
RelativesAlfred Allen (brother)

Eva Allen Alberti (April 4, 1856 – March 6, 1938) was an American dramatics teacher who specialized in the American meaning of pantomime i.e. mime. Her students were actors, teachers, directors and producers including, Prof. Gertrude Colby, Jane Cowl, Cecil B. DeMille, William C. deMille, Ann Harding, Fredric March, Douglas MacLean, Guthrie McClintic, William Powell, Edward G. Robinson, Anita Stewart, Stuart Walker, and Chester M. Wallace.[1]

Early life and education

Evangel Eva Allen was born in Alfred, New York, April 4, 1856.[2] Her father was Jonathan Macomber Allen (1823-1892), president of Alfred University. Abigail Ann (Maxson) Allen (1824-1894). Her siblings were William (b. 1853), May (b. 1860), and Alfred (b. 1866).[3][2]

She was educated at Alfred University (A. B., 1877; A. M., 1879).[4]

Career

(1923)

For thirteen years, Alberti was a lecturer at Teachers College, Columbia University.[4] She was the president of the New York College of Expression,[5] and the director of the Young People's Theater in Carnegie Hall, New York City. The greatest novelty of the plans for the Young People's Theater carried out by Alberti was the presentation of complete grand opera in mime with appropriate instrumental music. The Alberti Pantomimes, it was claimed, used a more universal code of gesticulation than the French, Italian, or German. American pantomime, such as that developed under the hand of Alberti, became a finer art than that represented by the garish musical Christmas pantomimes of Britain,[6] the distinction includes less cross-dressing, risque jokes and greater individual quality, in daintiness of movement, and delicacy of facial expression.[1][7] She made a speciality of Greek sacred dances.[8]

Personal life

In 1879,[2] she married Prof. William Maxson Alberti, the son of Thomas Shipley Alberti, who became clerk of the Seventh Day Baptist Church.[4]

Eva Allen Alberti died in New York City, March 6, 1938, at the age of 82.[4]

Selected works

Books

  • A handbook of acting (1932)[9]

Dramatic compositions

  • A Midsummer night's dream (1925)[10]

References

  1. ^ a b "Obituary, Evangel Eva Allen Alberti. Died, March 6, 1938". The Courier-News. 8 March 1938. p. 4. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Evangel Eva Allen 4 April 1856 – 1938 • KZP9-WBW". www.familysearch.org. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  3. ^ Seventh Day Baptist General Conference (1901). Seventh-day Baptist Anniversaries. Seventh Day Baptist General Conference. p. 55. Retrieved 5 November 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ a b c d "MRS. W. M. ALBERTI; Educator Was Daughter of Alfred University Founder". The New York Times. 8 March 1938. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  5. ^ Willard, Frances Elizabeth; Winslow, Helen Maria; White, Sallie Joy (1897). Occupations for Women: A Book of Practical Suggestions for the Material Advancement, the Mental and Physical Development, and the Moral and Spiritual Uplift of Women. Success Company. p. 279. Retrieved 5 November 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ Reid-Walsh, Jacqueline. "Pantomime", The Oxford Encyclopedia of Children's Literature, Jack Zipes (ed.), Oxford University Press (2006), ISBN 9780195146561
  7. ^ "GRAND OPERA IN PANTOMIME". Musical Courier: A Weekly Journal Devoted to Music and the Music Trades. 87. Musical Courier Company: 16. 27 December 1923. Retrieved 5 November 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ^ "Women in the Lyceum". The Peterson Magazine. 106. C.J. Peterson: 634. June 1895. Retrieved 5 November 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. ^ Library of Congress Copyright Office (February 1933). Catalog of Copyright Entries. New Series: 1933. Copyright Office, Library of Congress. p. 7. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  10. ^ Library of Congress Copyright Office (1926). "Dramatic compositions". Catalog of Copyright Entries. Part 1. [B] Group 2. Pamphlets, Etc. New Series. Retrieved 5 November 2022.