Labelle Oceana (c. 1835–)

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Labelle Oceana (c. 1835–)

Russian ballet dancer. Name variations: Oceana Smith. Born c. 1835, possibly in Kansas; death date unknown; granddau. of W.H. Bennie, well-known pantomimist.

Made debut as child performer in Fanny Elssler imitation work in Fort Leavenworth, KS (1844); continued to perform with family troupe in numerous Romantic ballets, taking on roles of increasing importance; performed on Mississippi circuit (1850s) and replaced Emilie Baron at Thomas Placide's Theater Varietés; was last thought to have toured with her horse Black Bess in Mazeppa.

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