Early life and education
Bertha May Wilson was born in Alton,a Missouri, August 14, 1874. Her father, Isaac Wilson was born inCareer
For her own amusement, Wilson began analyzing the writings of various dramatists, from the classics to the modern French and English schools, studying plot, style, treatment, and dramatic situation. Later, she tried paraphrasing and rearranging, and finally drifted into original production. Her own work was of three kinds: home talent entertainments, including original drills, tableaux, and pantomimes; plays and farces; and costume monologues for platform and stage, which was her specialty. Wilson's work was distinguished for its dramatic conception, its vividness, originality and unaffectedness. While artistic, it was written with vigor and directness. Most of it had the test of public presentation, either in home talent entertainments under her own supervision for the purpose of studying effects and gaining experiences in stage management, or in her own programs. Wilson's experiences and painstaking study fitted her for the role of dramatic critic as well as writer. She wrote for many popular magazines and papers under different pseudonyms, and many publishers offered to handle her dramatic work.Manuscripts
Wilson's manuscripts included monologues, sketches, drills and plays. In the 1894 season, she leased her various manuscripts to readers, actors, societies, and companies. For several years, Wilson successfully superintended in person the leasing of her manuscripts, her leasing plan fitting a special demand for those seeking something new. By keeping a sketch in manuscript form and leasing it at a price higher than the printed sketch and yet at a price not beyond the means of the average teacher or entertainer, kept it from being over-used. Entertainers preferred to "lease by the season," or have sketches written specially for them. Teachers and students favored the plan of leasing five or six different manuscripts for a single performance making a full evening's program. The manuscripts were open to examination before leasing on the payment of a examination fee which was deducted from the regular leasing fee in case the manuscript was accepted. The list of manuscripts included the dramatic, pathetic, comedy, farce, pantomime, and the spectacular. Wilson oversaw all correspondence and was ready to offer suggestions or aid in selecting a sketch suited to someone's special purpose.Personal life
On November 8, 1899, she married Herbert Francis Allen (1864–1951). They were Congregationalists in religious faith, and assisted in the work of the various organizations of the local church of that denomination. Bertha Wilson Allen died in 1936.Style
"A Chinese Wedding" was arranged as a costume pantomime in seven scenes, for ten male and ten female characters, with as many additional ones as desired. This pantomime could be easily produced and had a duration of twenty-five minutes. The scenes gave a vivid and faithful picture of everything pertaining to the wedding ceremony in China in that period. "The Christmas Star" was a monologue for a young lady, lasting twenty minutes, with easy scenery and costumes. It was a story of a country maid whose musical talent is discovered bv an unexpected visitor who comes on a Christmas Eve. Through his influence, she is brought before the public, develops into a musical wonder, and later, marries him.Selected works
By Bertha M. Wilson
* ''Indian Sketches. An Entertainment for Home Talent'', 1894 * ''A Chinese wedding : a representation of the wedding ceremony in China, arranged as a costume pantomime in seven scenes'', 1895 * ''John Brown's ten little Injuns; a tomahawk march and drill for the male characters,'', 1895 * ''Maud Muller drill; a pantomime drill for male and female characters,'', 1895 * ''Seniors. A Three-Act Play Written for the Class of '95 of the South Dakota State Normal School'', 1895 * ''The show at Wilkins' Hall, or, A leaf from the life of Maria Jane'', 1895 * ''Mr. Spriggs' little trip to Europe, a comedy in one act'', 1912 * ''Raggles' Corner, a farce in one scene ...'', 1913By B. M. Wilson
* ''Playing the society belle; or, The tragedy of a slipper. Comedy monologue for a woman. Time, 15 minutes.'', 1894 * ''Wilson's book of drills and marches for young people and small children of both sexes'', 1895 * ''Spring garlands; a "pose"-y drill and march for maids and gallants of ye olden tyme.'', 1895 * ''Preciosa, the Spanish dancer.'', 1911Drills
* "The bootblack drill, a novelty drill for small boys or girls" * "The Turk-ey drill, a nonsense comedy-song drill for male characters", 1895 * "The witches' march and broom drill, a fantastic drill and march for female characters.", 1895 * "The vestal virgins : a spectacular taper drill for ten or more female characters", 1895 * "The march of the Chinese lanterns, a spectacular novelty drill for girls.", 1912Monologues
* ''Nigger baby : a monologue'', 1895 * ''The tragedy of blind Margaret ; an adaptation from Longfellow's Blind girl of Castèl-Cuillè. A monologue in three scenes.'', 1900 * ''The Christmas star; a monologue in two scenes,'', 1911References
Bibliography
* * * * * *External links
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, Bertha M. 1874 births 1936 deaths 19th-century American dramatists and playwrights 19th-century American women writers 19th-century American actresses 20th-century American women writers 20th-century American non-fiction writers University of Iowa alumni American theater critics American women theatre critics American stage actresses People from Missouri American women non-fiction writers