ladykrampus reblogged
By Glenda Armand Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Ira Aldridge dreamed of being on stage one day performing the great works of William Shakespeare. He spent every chance he got at the local theaters, memorizing each actor’s lines for all of Shakespeare’s plays. Ira just knew he could be a great Shakespearean actor if only given the chance. But in the early 1800s, only white actors were allowed to perform Shakespeare. Ira’s only option was to perform musical numbers at the all-black theater in New York city. Despite being discouraged by his teacher and father, Ira determinedly pursued his dream and set off to England, the land of Shakespeare. There, Ira honed his acting skills and eventually performed at the acclaimed Theatre Royal Haymarket. Through perseverance and determination, Ira became one of the most celebrated Shakespearean actors throughout Europe.
Ira’s Shakespeare Dream at Lee & Low books: https://www.leeandlow.com/books/2885
[Ira Aldridge; portrait by William Mulready c. 1840]
MedievalPoC posts about Ira Aldridge, Shakespearean Actor in Victorian London
#history#historical fiction#children's books#medievalpoc#lee and low#books#art#Ira Aldridge#Victoriana#Black Victoriana#London#England#1800s#1st#February#2016#February 1st 2016#make it look like i'm still on#most tags not mine#tags preserved for the commentary of the OP only#or index and search features of this blog