William B. Wood (actor)
Encyclopedia
William B. Wood was an theatre manager and actor
. He was brought in childhood to New York City
, where he began life as a clerk. Feeling that he had a vocation for the stage
, he set out for Annapolis, Maryland
, with a capital of three doubloon
s, and through the courtesy of Manager Wignell, an old family friend, he made his first appearance there on 26 June 1798 as George Barnwell. He was partially successful, and began an engagement the same year in Philadelphia in Secrets Worth Knowing.
On 30 January 1804, he married Juliana Westray, an actress. She had joined the company in which Wood was playing, and after her marriage continued to act in the theatres that he managed.
In the autumn of 1809, Wood purchased of William Warren
one half of his interest in the Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington theatres. Previous to entering upon the duties of management he visited New York City and played De Valmont.
In the autumn of 1810, he began his career as manager in Baltimore, Maryland, and from September 1812 till the close of the season of 1820, he divided his time between that city and Philadelphia, where his company played at the Chestnut Street Theatre
. On 2 April 1820, the latter edifice was destroyed by fire, and, as the insurance had expired a few days before, the loss was heavy. Having secured a lease of the Walnut Street Theatre
, the Warren-Wood company began to play again in Philadelphia the following November. On the 27th of that month Master Edwin Forrest
made his first appearance there on any stage in Douglas. The Chestnut Street Theatre having been rebuilt, it was opened by the same managers on 2 December 1822 with the School for Scandal, Warren playing Sir Peter Teazle, and Wood, Charles Surface.
In 1826 the sixteen years' partnership between the two managers was terminated by the withdrawal of Mr. Wood. On 1 October 1828, the latter undertook the management of the Arch Street Theatre, Philadelphia, then just built; but the enterprise was not successful, and the rest of his theatrical career was divided between management and acting in the same city. He retired finally from the stage, 18 November 1846, on the occasion of a benefit at the Walnut Street Theatre. For an account of his career, and much information regarding the American stage, see his Personal Recollections of the Stage (Philadelphia, 1855).
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He was brought in childhood to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he began life as a clerk. Feeling that he had a vocation for the stage
Stage (theatre)
In theatre or performance arts, the stage is a designated space for the performance productions. The stage serves as a space for actors or performers and a focal point for the members of the audience...
, he set out for Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
, with a capital of three doubloon
Doubloon
The doubloon , was a two-escudo or 32-reales gold coin, weighing 6.77 grams . Doubloons were minted in Spain, Mexico, Peru, and Nueva Granada...
s, and through the courtesy of Manager Wignell, an old family friend, he made his first appearance there on 26 June 1798 as George Barnwell. He was partially successful, and began an engagement the same year in Philadelphia in Secrets Worth Knowing.
On 30 January 1804, he married Juliana Westray, an actress. She had joined the company in which Wood was playing, and after her marriage continued to act in the theatres that he managed.
In the autumn of 1809, Wood purchased of William Warren
William Warren (elder actor)
William Warren was an actor. His first appearance was as Young Norval in Home's tragedy of Douglas. Soon afterward, Warren came to this country, making his debut at Baltimore, Maryland, as Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet...
one half of his interest in the Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington theatres. Previous to entering upon the duties of management he visited New York City and played De Valmont.
In the autumn of 1810, he began his career as manager in Baltimore, Maryland, and from September 1812 till the close of the season of 1820, he divided his time between that city and Philadelphia, where his company played at the Chestnut Street Theatre
Chestnut Street Theatre
The Chestnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the first theater in the United States built by entrepreneurs solely as a venue for paying audiences.-The New Theatre :...
. On 2 April 1820, the latter edifice was destroyed by fire, and, as the insurance had expired a few days before, the loss was heavy. Having secured a lease of the Walnut Street Theatre
Walnut Street Theatre
The Walnut Street Theatre , located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 825 Walnut Street, is the oldest continuously operating theatre in the English-speaking world and the oldest in the United States...
, the Warren-Wood company began to play again in Philadelphia the following November. On the 27th of that month Master Edwin Forrest
Edwin Forrest
Edwin Forrest was an American actor.-Early life:Forrest was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of Scottish and German descent. His father died and he was brought up by his mother, a German woman of humble origins. He was educated at the common schools in Philadelphia, and early evinced a taste...
made his first appearance there on any stage in Douglas. The Chestnut Street Theatre having been rebuilt, it was opened by the same managers on 2 December 1822 with the School for Scandal, Warren playing Sir Peter Teazle, and Wood, Charles Surface.
In 1826 the sixteen years' partnership between the two managers was terminated by the withdrawal of Mr. Wood. On 1 October 1828, the latter undertook the management of the Arch Street Theatre, Philadelphia, then just built; but the enterprise was not successful, and the rest of his theatrical career was divided between management and acting in the same city. He retired finally from the stage, 18 November 1846, on the occasion of a benefit at the Walnut Street Theatre. For an account of his career, and much information regarding the American stage, see his Personal Recollections of the Stage (Philadelphia, 1855).