Lewisohn, Irene (1892–1944)

views updated

Lewisohn, Irene (1892–1944)

American theater and acting-school founder. Born Sept 5, 1892, in New York, NY; died April 1944 in NY; 5th daughter and youngest of 10 children of Leonard Lewisohn (businessman) and Rosalie (Jacobs) Lewisohn; sister of Alice Lewisohn; attended Finch School in NY; never married; no children.

With sister, built the landmark Neighborhood Playhouse; joined Rita Morgenthau in founding the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater (1928), of which she remained co-director for many years; also founded Museum of Costume Art (later Costume Institute which became part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art).

See also Women in World History.

About this article

Lewisohn, Irene (1892–1944)

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article