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End of the Civil War
After the Civil War, there was an economic boom in the United States, specifically in northern cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago. This nationwide financial influx resulted in the middle class gaining more access to entertainment and leisure venues, a space previously dominated by the upper classes and the wealthy. -
Emergence of the Traveling Performer
Throughout the early 19th century, the visual entertainment realm was dominated by theatrical performances. These were performed in select venues around the United States. However, as the transportation industry increased availability and accessibility, entertainers were able to travel the country by road. -
Birth of Vaudeville
Vaudeville's etymology is debated, but many believe it comes from the French "Voix de Ville," which translates to "Voices of the town." It was a type of entertainment developed as humorous, family-friendly entertainment that consisted of various acts, including musicians, dancers, comedians, magicians, jugglers, acrobats, and other performers. These performances, known then as bills, lasted around ten minutes, and each performance had upwards of fifteen of them. -
Tony Pastor's Tammany Hall
Tony Pastor was a ballad and minstrel singer known as the "godfather of Vaudeville Entertainment." In 1881, he opened his own venue at Tammany Hall in Manhattan. Pastor was a devoted Catholic who sought to outclass the previous vulgar standards that plagued a variety of theaters. Alcohol was not served at the shows, and scripts had to be checked for inappropriate material. -
B.F. Keith's Bijou Theatre
Benjamin Franklin Keith, known as the "Father of Vaudeville Entertainment," initially made his career in traveling circuses under the famous P. T. Barnum. He opened the Bijou Theater in Boston in 1883, which was where continuous Vaudeville was born. This theater offered performances throughout the day in a continuous format. This approach was monumental because it allowed audiences to come and go as they pleased, enjoying a variety of acts throughout the day and into the night. -
Representation in Vaudeville
Vaudeville's representations of different cultures tended to be inclusive compared to Western shows and prior forms of entertainment. These bills allowed African American performers to make a name for themselves. Instead of relying on blackface representations, Vaudeville accepted racially diverse actors such as Bert Williams, photographed above. -
Genesis of the Modern Celebrity
Harry Houdini is famous for his incredible magic tricks and daring escape acts. On stage, he escaped from various restraints, including handcuffs, ropes, chains, straitjackets, and locked containers. Will Rogers was a famous humorist, cowboy, and actor who entertained vaudeville audiences with his roping tricks and jokes. Eddie Cantor was a versatile performer known for his singing, dancing, and comedic talents. -
Formation of the White Rats
The White Rats was a labor organization formed in 1900 by a group of Vaudeville performers. These people sought to fight against the unfair treatment and working conditions faced by performers. The Vaudeville circuit was a monopsony as the market was dominated by a few significant companies who often exploited performers by imposing strict contracts, giving out low wages, and controlling their booking schedule. Notable strikes occurred in 1901 and 1916. -
The Explosion of Vaudeville
Vaudeville, entering the 20th century, exploded with hundreds of venues and thousands of performers. New York was the capital of Vaudeville, with 48 theaters in 1911, but other cities were close behind: Chicago had 41 and Philadelphia had 37. The market reached a point where tycoons like B.F. Keith found it more lucrative to join other companies. This merging is how The United Box Office organization and The Vaudeville Managers Association were formed, which consolidated the executive powers. -
Life as a Vaudeville Entertainer
Performers traveled from venue to venue around the United States, touring for approximately forty weeks a year. Vaudeville troupers made between $15-$1,000 weekly, depending on their popularity and reputation. This wage roughly translates to $30,000-$2,000,000 annually in 2024. -
The Death of Vaudeville
The Great Depression, which began in 1929 and lasted throughout the 1930s, was a monumental factor in the decline and eventual collapse of vaudeville entertainment. The economic slump caused many who frequented the vaudeville theatre to refrain due to hardship. During the same period, new forms of entertainment, such as radio and movies, became exponentially more popular. This new media offered cheaper and more convenient entertainment, providing draw from the home. -