Sofia Lovisa Gråå
Encyclopedia
Sofia Lovisa Gråå née
Palm, (1749 - 8 May 1835 ) was a Swedish
educator of actors, and noted for innovations that in modern times would be described as feminist.
, who died in 1795. She was principal of the Dramatens elevskola
, the acting school of Sweden's Royal Dramatic Theatre
, in Stockholm, from 1804 to 1812. She also, during her period as principal, oversaw student housing, with the female students in fact living in her home.
Gråå advocated for continuation of the French acting traditions introduced in the 1793-1798 tenure of the French-born and -trained Anne Marie Milan Desguillons
and her husband Joseph. She was the first woman to hold this position alone. It was a difficult position at this point, during the temporary dissolution of the Royal Swedish Opera
in 1806-09, which caused confusion in the Theatre's organisation.
She gave the girls in her house great personal freedom; choir master Wikström was shocked that she allowed the girls to date teenage boys. Gråå herself paid no mind to the criticism and did not find her treatment of the students irresponsible; when she retired, she stated in her apply for a pension that she had accepted the position without any promise of economic compensation in her contract, and that she had always conducted a respectable and caring way to perform her task both as a principal and as a hostess for the female student's dorm. She retired in 1812 and was succeeded by Caroline Halle-Müller.
She educated many of the best known actors of the first half of the 19th century in Sweden, including Justina Casagli
, Charlotta Eriksson
, Sara Torsslow
and Karolina Bock
; the female students graduating during this time were often referred to as "The Gråå Girls".
NEE
NEE is a political protest group whose goal was to provide an alternative for voters who are unhappy with all political parties at hand in Belgium, where voting is compulsory.The NEE party was founded in 2005 in Antwerp...
Palm, (1749 - 8 May 1835 ) was a Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
educator of actors, and noted for innovations that in modern times would be described as feminist.
Biography
Sofia Lovisa Palm was from 1788 married to Fredrik Gabriel Gråå, the interpreter for the Russian embassy in StockholmStockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, who died in 1795. She was principal of the Dramatens elevskola
Dramatens elevskola
Dramatens elevskola, i.e. Kungliga Dramatiska Teaterns Elevskola, or in Eng: The Royal Dramatic Theatre's acting school, was the acting school of Sweden's national stage, The Royal Dramatic Theatre, and for many years seen as the foremost theatre school and drama education for Swedish stage actors...
, the acting school of Sweden's Royal Dramatic Theatre
Royal Dramatic Theatre
The Royal Dramatic Theatre is Sweden's national stage for "spoken drama", founded in 1788. Around one thousand shows are put on annually on the theatre's eight running stages....
, in Stockholm, from 1804 to 1812. She also, during her period as principal, oversaw student housing, with the female students in fact living in her home.
Gråå advocated for continuation of the French acting traditions introduced in the 1793-1798 tenure of the French-born and -trained Anne Marie Milan Desguillons
Anne Marie Milan Desguillons
Anne Marie Milan Desguillons was a French stage actress, active in Sweden. She was also active as an instructor and director of the theatre school Dramatens elevskola jointly with her spouse, and as such had a great influence over the development of the Swedish theatre.-Biography and career:Anne...
and her husband Joseph. She was the first woman to hold this position alone. It was a difficult position at this point, during the temporary dissolution of the Royal Swedish Opera
Royal Swedish Opera
Kungliga Operan is Sweden's national stage for opera and ballet.-Location and Environment:...
in 1806-09, which caused confusion in the Theatre's organisation.
She gave the girls in her house great personal freedom; choir master Wikström was shocked that she allowed the girls to date teenage boys. Gråå herself paid no mind to the criticism and did not find her treatment of the students irresponsible; when she retired, she stated in her apply for a pension that she had accepted the position without any promise of economic compensation in her contract, and that she had always conducted a respectable and caring way to perform her task both as a principal and as a hostess for the female student's dorm. She retired in 1812 and was succeeded by Caroline Halle-Müller.
She educated many of the best known actors of the first half of the 19th century in Sweden, including Justina Casagli
Justina Casagli
Justina Kristina Casagli, née Wässelius, , was a Swedish opera singer. She was internationally famous and active in Italy and Germany...
, Charlotta Eriksson
Charlotta Eriksson
Charlotta Maria Eriksson was a Swedish actress, one of the most popular and notable actors in Sweden in the first half of the 19th century. She was also a translator, an actor-instructor, a vice principal, and a painter....
, Sara Torsslow
Sara Torsslow
Sara Fredrica Torsslow, née Strömstedt was a Swedish actor at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm and one of the most popular and notable actors in Swedish history.- Biography :...
and Karolina Bock
Karolina Bock
Karolina Sofia Bock née Richter, , was a Swedish dancer, actor and singer. She was also the principal for the Dramatens elevskola for two periods; in 1831-1834 and 1841-1856. She was the most known female comedian in her country during her years at the stage.- Background :Karolina Richter, child of...
; the female students graduating during this time were often referred to as "The Gråå Girls".