Jennie Kimball

Jennie Kimball (also, Jennie Kimball Flaherty and Jennie Kimball Schaefer; June 20, 1848 – March 23, 1896) was an American actor, soubrette, and theatrical manager. She appeared first at The Boston Theatre in 1865. After the success made by her daughter Corinne in H.M.S. Pinafore, Kimball retired from the stage herself and became Corinne's manager. Kimball was interested in several theatres. She was a woman of remarkable business ability. She personally superintended all of the work connected with the theatre and the companies in which she was interested; wrote her own advertising matter and superintended the work of the scenic artists, occupying a unique position among women of the time. Early years Jennie Kimball was born in Portland, Maine, June 20, 1848. Her histrionic talents showed themselves in her early youth. Career Her first appearance in public was as Obeda in Bluebeard in The Boston Theatre, in 1865, under Henry C. Jarrett's management. He was so impressed with her talent that he engaged her at the conclusion of the season for the William Warren Company, which he was then forming. After playing the principal soubrette business with that party until it disbanded, she joined the Wallack-Davenport Company in Washington, D.C., where she played a short season. Returning to Boston, she was once more engaged by Jarrett for the Boston Theater. At the close of the season, she retired from the stage temporarily, and devoted a year to the study of music and the drama.