Mabel Rowland


Mabel Rowland was an American monologist, actress, writer, director, editor, and the founder of the Metropolitan Players in New York City.

Early life

Mabel Laura Levi was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Abraham D. Levi and Adelina Levi. Her father was a printer and engraver. Her younger sister was the actress and singer Adele Rowland.

Career

Rowland wrote a weekly column, "Mabelle's Letter on Fashion and Frivolity" for the Cincinnati Inquirer newspaper as a young woman. Rowland was a monologist, who gave short, comic character sketches. She also did publicity, and managed her actress sister's career.
In 1916, Rowland organized a wartime fundraiser, a cookbook, with recipes contributed by over 200 actors and actresses. She also edited Bert Williams: Son of Laughter, a collection of tributes to Bert Williams, a fellow comedian and actor, written by notable performers and others, including David Belasco, Eddie Cantor, and W. E. B. Du Bois.
In 1925, Rowland was founder and director of the Metropolitan Players in New York City. In 1926, she was founder of the Institute of the Woman's Theatre, to increase and improve professional opportunities for women in theatre.
Rowland was a benefactor of the Bide-a-Wee Home for Friendless Animals, and received a medal for her support of the organization.

Personal life

Mabel Levi married three times. Her first husband was John B. Rowland, head of an advertising agency; they married about 1900, and he died from typhoid fever in 1908. Her second husband was Robert Emmet Mason Goolrick, a lieutenant in the United States Army; they married in 1911, and later divorced. Her last husband was a fellow theatre professional, Jay Strong; they separated in 1940. She died on February 21, 1943, aged 61 years, at her sister's home in Hollywood, California. Her book Bert Williams: Son of Laughter was reprinted in 1969.