Maud Madison

Maud Madison was born in San Francisco, California. She was the daughter of actress and suffragist Julie Reinhardt (1844–1924).[1][2] She completed studies at the Boucicault School of Acting in 1889.[3]

Madison started her stage career as an actress in touring companies, and appeared with English actor Richard Mansfield in Richard III.[3] By 1893,[4] she was described primarily as a dancer, specializing in performance of the "crinoline dance"[5] or skirt dance, a popular trend of the day.[6][7] In 1900 she danced with Loie Fuller in Paris, at the Exposition Universelle.[8] While in Paris, she also danced in a cage of lions as a publicity stunt.[9] In 1910, she danced at the opening of the Colonial Opera House in Hamilton, Bermuda.[10]

Inspired by Fuller, Madison took a particular interest in lighting effects and innovative costuming for her performances. She amazed audiences when flags and famous portraits were projected onto her skirts while they whirled and fluttered.[11] "Miss Madison is the originator or many novel effects in ballroom exhibition dances," explained the San Francisco Chronicle in 1916.[12] Madison toured the United States that year, with poet Charles Keeler,[13] interpreting his poems in dances such as "The Harper's Song of Isis" (an Egyptian art-inspired dance), "The Vampire" (a bat-themed dance) and "Princess Papilio" (a butterfly-themed dance).[14] She also taught social dance steps in New York City.[3]

Madison had a daughter, Beatrice Maude, who became an actress. Madison died in 1953, at home in Hollywood, California.[15] A collection of her papers is archived in the Jerome Robbins Dance Division of the New York Public Library.[3]

• Maud Madison at Find a Grave