(October 12, 1840-April 8, 1909)
Born out of wedlock, Helena Modjeska's young life was filled with difficulty. Her mother never did reveal to her her father's identity and the memories of her childhood haunted her throughout her life. To make matters worse for Helena, she fell in love and had two children with a man that she never married and suffered from society's disapproval of her actions. As she entered her theatrical career she began to work very hard at reversing her poor social reputation - a pursuit that she continued until her death. Even in her lengthy autobiography she only gives hints or brief explanations of events that brought her shame or embarrassment in order to maintain the quality social standing that she was able to build for herself in America.
Modjeska distinguished herself on the Polish stage and elevated the quality of performance in both Poland and the United States. In 1863 the Polish people revolted against Russian rule and Modjeska, along with many other Poles, left the country to escape the violence. She, her husband, and several friends attempted to start a commune in southern California but money became scarce and few in the group had the skills necessary to farm the land adequately or otherwise bring in any money. Helena had to return to the stage.
Much to her disappointment, California was not interested in her work. She had not kept any documentation of her success on the Warsaw stage so she had no proof of experience. After months of trying to get an audition, she was finally granted a few minutes with the stage manager at the California Theatre. He was so impressed that he immediately cast her, which began a strong thirty-year career in America as well as in England, Ireland, and Poland. She was most noted for playing Shakespearean roles and for raising production and performance standards significantly. She insisted on being treated as an equal to the men that she acted opposite of, and designed many of her own costumes for the roles she played. She refined the roles of Portia, Ophelia, Isabella, Viola, Cleopatra, and Lady Macbeth in addition to numerous others outside of Shakespeare's writings. Modjeska appeared at the Valentine Theatre on four occasions: in 1897 she played Mary Stuart on November 26 and 27; in 1899 she performed two different shows in one day, Antony and Cleopatra during the matinee and Macbeth that evening. In 1900 she traveled to Toledo twice: on February 6 she played Marie Antoinette and then in November she returned for the last time to perform in King John. 1
Modjeska was very careful not to become politically involved in any revolutionary work for Poland. She was much more concerned with her social standing and keeping the good name that she had finally been able to earn for herself. However, in an unfortunate series of events, Modjeska was asked at the last minute to stand in for a political delegate that was unable to attend. She spoke freely that night on her feelings about Polish freedom and the press printed her comments widely; so widely that Russia read them and banned her from ever returning to, or performing in, Poland or Russia. She had always wanted to perform in Russia and was homesick for her friends and family in Poland but no amount of pleading made any difference. Helena Modjeska published her memoirs after her retirement from the stage in 1907 and shortly before her death in 1909.
1. Coleman 950-959
Resources
Coleman, Arthur and Marion Moore. Wanderers Twain: Modjeska and Sienkiewicz: a view from California. Cheshire: Cherry Hill Books, 1964.
This memoir tells the story of Modjeska and the small group of Polish émigrés
who settled for a time in southern California and how it affected each of their
careers.
Coleman, Marion Moore. Fair Rosalind, The American Career of Helena Modjeska. Cheshire : Cherry Hill Books, 1969.
Suggested by a research assistant at the Modjeska House in California, this book
provides dates of Mme. Modjeska's performances at the Valentine Theatre as well
as other theatres throughout the States and images of her in those roles.
Gladsky, Thomas S. and Rita Holmes. Something of My Very Own to Say: American Women Writers of Polish Descent. East European Monographs, 1998.
A compilation of selections from American women writers of Polish descent as
well as essays about each woman and her contributions to her heritage, and her art.
Gronowicz, Antoni. Modjeska: Her Life and Loves. New York: Thomas Yoseloff, Inc., 1956.
A biography of Modjeska told in story form and pieced together from twenty
years of research by the author.
Modjeska, Helena. Memories and Impressions of Helena Modjeska: An Autobiography. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1910.
Written by the actor herself, this heavy volume also contains a large number of photos and other images of well known or famous actors, actresses and other personalities with whom she worked.
Tinling, Marion. Ed. With Women's Eyes: Visitors to the New World 1775-1918. Hamden: Archon Book, 1993.
Twenty-seven short chapters focusing on twenty-seven women who stayed in America for various lengths of time and various reasons and who had an impact of some kind on their profession or the country as a result of their stay.