Caroline Chapman
Encyclopedia
Caroline Chapman was an early-American
actress (early-to-mid-19th century), who spent a large part of her adult life acting in the theatres of San Francisco.
. In 1831, her father moved the family on a riverboat on the Mississippi River
which became "Chapman's Floating Palace." As a young girl, Chapman acted primarily in soubrette
roles, performing as comedienne, dancer, and singer. Chapman returned east in 1846 and played from 1848 to 1852 with Burton's Theatre
in New York, then pursued a career in California, where she performed in San Francisco and the Gold Coast
for five years. Famed as an itinerant trouper, she was admired for her versatility in tragic, comic, and romantic roles. Chapman was beloved for her boisterous stage manner, but after 1857 her style grew dated and she began to lose her following.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress (early-to-mid-19th century), who spent a large part of her adult life acting in the theatres of San Francisco.
Career overview
William Chapman, her father, raised her to become an actress and entertainer. As a child, she made her acting debut in 1829 at the American Opera HouseChatham Garden Theatre
The Chatham Garden Theatre or Chatham Theatre was a playhouse in the Chatham Gardens of New York City. It was located on the north side of Chatham Street on Park Row between Pearl and Duane streets in lower Manhattan. The grounds ran through to Augustus Street...
. In 1831, her father moved the family on a riverboat on the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
which became "Chapman's Floating Palace." As a young girl, Chapman acted primarily in soubrette
Soubrette
A soubrette is a female stock character in opera and theatre. The term arrived in English from Provençal via French, and means "conceited" or "coy".-Theater:...
roles, performing as comedienne, dancer, and singer. Chapman returned east in 1846 and played from 1848 to 1852 with Burton's Theatre
William Evans Burton
William Evans Burton , who often went by the nickname Billy, was an English actor, playwright, theater manager and publisher who relocated to the United States.-Early life:...
in New York, then pursued a career in California, where she performed in San Francisco and the Gold Coast
Ventura County, California
Ventura County is a county in the southern part of the U.S. state of California. It is located on California's Pacific coast. It is often referred to as the Gold Coast, and has a reputation of being one of the safest populated places and one of the most affluent places in the country...
for five years. Famed as an itinerant trouper, she was admired for her versatility in tragic, comic, and romantic roles. Chapman was beloved for her boisterous stage manner, but after 1857 her style grew dated and she began to lose her following.