LEW AND BILLIE LOU HENDERSON
Lew Henderson began his career in theater as an acrobat and juggler in silent movie houses and at street fairs before 1910. Lew Henderson was a professional artist for about 60 years. He was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1891 and was taken to the Trans- Mississippi Exposition in Omaha, Nebraska, at age seven. He then decided that entertainment was what he would do. He learned acrobatics, juggling and all kinds of balance tricks. With the skills he had acquired, it was in 1908 that he worked as a clown, acting in silent movies, at street fairs and carnival grinding shows.
He was very good at performing, but he did not feel comfortable being a clown. In 1910 he changed his style and was happier and more successful. He continued increasing his skills, building a professional reputation, and eventually owning his own theatrical company.
In 1913 he was at the show of Morgan Brothers United, who performed demonstrations of their routines. Alice Foreman was also there with her Aunt Minnie, who owned a show. Lew Henderson and Alice Foreman got married during the 1914 sessions with Mr. Morgan as Matron of Honor of Mother.
Lew and Alice remained with Morgan Brothers until the autumn of 1914, when Variety Magazine, October 1914, reported that the show was closing in the south due to cotton "Boycott."
Lew Henderson, the clown with the umbrella. Performed in ten-in-one "grind shows" 1908 and 1909.
Lew And Alice Henderson went to Memphis, Tennessee where their daughter, Edna, was born in January in 1915, and then joined the J.J. Holmes, Clifton Show Company Medicine in Iowa. They eventually bought the company in 1918, changing the name to "Henderson Ideal Players."
In the 1920's, dramatic tent shows were very popular. Lew Henderson bought a new tent and a truck. He joined the Actor's Equity, and hired professional actors, singers, dancers, and musicians (including Lew and Alice Henderson), and their children, Anna Marie, Ruth and Peggy. He leased plays for gambling agents. The Henderson family that grew to include ten performers was able to handle vaudeville, circus and variety presentations. Billboard and local newspapers of the time witnessed the success and popularity of the "Lew Henderson Players."
"Lew Henderson Players" were theatrical, repertory company under canvas playing in the midwest, featuring the upper class, kings' play and vaudeville routines, featuring a company of professional actors, singers, dancers etc.
In 1926 the tent show opened as a dramatic company called "Henderson Ideal Players," and later renamed the "Lew Henderson Players" and continued its tour through 1940.
The family was always together. There were other similar shows, but most owners did not bring their own children. Alice and Lew Henderson eventually had eight children born, raised, and acting in the show.
By the end of the 1930's the economy was improving for all, including the rest of the tents along the way. The beginning of World War II, brought the era of "Tent Repertoire." Again some company closed. Others made their own adjustments, and continued under canvas for years, but many had little resemblance to the first dramatic company.
The era of the theater was diminishing in 1941. The economy had put some shows out of business. Some had lowered their standards; Lew Henderson had been successful enough in the goods days to continued the legitimate dramatic company. Lew Henderson fought hard to stay in business even when he had to lower admission prices "due to the times." Many endured while everyone expected the economy to improve, and did so to some extent.
There were still plenty of entertainment opportunities and the Henderson Family continued singing, dancing etc.
The Henderson Family acts joined circus in 1945 until 1965.
Billie Lou Henderson
On March 7, 1928, the fifth consecutive girl was born, and named Billie Lou Henderson. She was two months old when she made her first debut. As in works presented that summer, the presence of a baby was required in the last act. Usually a doll was used, but she was there and the female actress insisted on taking Billie. In 1928, she made about thirty appearances.
Billie married a musician at the time she was still performing on stage and film, and she raised a family of 4 children. Her husband died in 2007.
The last time Billie performed professionally was for Big Top Chautauqua in Wisconsin 1993 and 1994, and later had the privilege of performing on three shows, performing a song and dance specialty at "The Theatre Museum" in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, 2010.
Lew Henderson began his career in theater as an acrobat and juggler in silent movie houses and at street fairs before 1910. Lew Henderson was a professional artist for about 60 years. He was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1891 and was taken to the Trans- Mississippi Exposition in Omaha, Nebraska, at age seven. He then decided that entertainment was what he would do. He learned acrobatics, juggling and all kinds of balance tricks. With the skills he had acquired, it was in 1908 that he worked as a clown, acting in silent movies, at street fairs and carnival grinding shows.
He was very good at performing, but he did not feel comfortable being a clown. In 1910 he changed his style and was happier and more successful. He continued increasing his skills, building a professional reputation, and eventually owning his own theatrical company.
In 1913 he was at the show of Morgan Brothers United, who performed demonstrations of their routines. Alice Foreman was also there with her Aunt Minnie, who owned a show. Lew Henderson and Alice Foreman got married during the 1914 sessions with Mr. Morgan as Matron of Honor of Mother.
Lew and Alice remained with Morgan Brothers until the autumn of 1914, when Variety Magazine, October 1914, reported that the show was closing in the south due to cotton "Boycott."
Lew Henderson, the clown with the umbrella. Performed in ten-in-one "grind shows" 1908 and 1909.
Lew And Alice Henderson went to Memphis, Tennessee where their daughter, Edna, was born in January in 1915, and then joined the J.J. Holmes, Clifton Show Company Medicine in Iowa. They eventually bought the company in 1918, changing the name to "Henderson Ideal Players."
In the 1920's, dramatic tent shows were very popular. Lew Henderson bought a new tent and a truck. He joined the Actor's Equity, and hired professional actors, singers, dancers, and musicians (including Lew and Alice Henderson), and their children, Anna Marie, Ruth and Peggy. He leased plays for gambling agents. The Henderson family that grew to include ten performers was able to handle vaudeville, circus and variety presentations. Billboard and local newspapers of the time witnessed the success and popularity of the "Lew Henderson Players."
"Lew Henderson Players" were theatrical, repertory company under canvas playing in the midwest, featuring the upper class, kings' play and vaudeville routines, featuring a company of professional actors, singers, dancers etc.
In 1926 the tent show opened as a dramatic company called "Henderson Ideal Players," and later renamed the "Lew Henderson Players" and continued its tour through 1940.
The family was always together. There were other similar shows, but most owners did not bring their own children. Alice and Lew Henderson eventually had eight children born, raised, and acting in the show.
By the end of the 1930's the economy was improving for all, including the rest of the tents along the way. The beginning of World War II, brought the era of "Tent Repertoire." Again some company closed. Others made their own adjustments, and continued under canvas for years, but many had little resemblance to the first dramatic company.
The era of the theater was diminishing in 1941. The economy had put some shows out of business. Some had lowered their standards; Lew Henderson had been successful enough in the goods days to continued the legitimate dramatic company. Lew Henderson fought hard to stay in business even when he had to lower admission prices "due to the times." Many endured while everyone expected the economy to improve, and did so to some extent.
There were still plenty of entertainment opportunities and the Henderson Family continued singing, dancing etc.
The Henderson Family acts joined circus in 1945 until 1965.
Billie Lou Henderson
On March 7, 1928, the fifth consecutive girl was born, and named Billie Lou Henderson. She was two months old when she made her first debut. As in works presented that summer, the presence of a baby was required in the last act. Usually a doll was used, but she was there and the female actress insisted on taking Billie. In 1928, she made about thirty appearances.
Billie married a musician at the time she was still performing on stage and film, and she raised a family of 4 children. Her husband died in 2007.
The last time Billie performed professionally was for Big Top Chautauqua in Wisconsin 1993 and 1994, and later had the privilege of performing on three shows, performing a song and dance specialty at "The Theatre Museum" in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, 2010.
LEW AND BILLIE LOU HENDERSON
Lew Henderson began his career in theater as an acrobat and juggler in silent movie houses and at street fairs before 1910. Lew Henderson was a professional artist for about 60 years. He was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1891 and was taken to the Trans- Mississippi Exposition in Omaha, Nebraska, at age seven. He then decided that entertainment was what he would do. He learned acrobatics, juggling and all kinds of balance tricks. With the skills he had acquired, it was in 1908 that he worked as a clown, acting in silent movies, at street fairs and carnival grinding shows.
He was very good at performing, but he did not feel comfortable being a clown. In 1910 he changed his style and was happier and more successful. He continued increasing his skills, building a professional reputation, and eventually owning his own theatrical company.
In 1913 he was at the show of Morgan Brothers United, who performed demonstrations of their routines. Alice Foreman was also there with her Aunt Minnie, who owned a show. Lew Henderson and Alice Foreman got married during the 1914 sessions with Mr. Morgan as Matron of Honor of Mother.
Lew and Alice remained with Morgan Brothers until the autumn of 1914, when Variety Magazine, October 1914, reported that the show was closing in the south due to cotton "Boycott."
Lew Henderson, the clown with the umbrella. Performed in ten-in-one "grind shows" 1908 and 1909.
Lew And Alice Henderson went to Memphis, Tennessee where their daughter, Edna, was born in January in 1915, and then joined the J.J. Holmes, Clifton Show Company Medicine in Iowa. They eventually bought the company in 1918, changing the name to "Henderson Ideal Players."
In the 1920's, dramatic tent shows were very popular. Lew Henderson bought a new tent and a truck. He joined the Actor's Equity, and hired professional actors, singers, dancers, and musicians (including Lew and Alice Henderson), and their children, Anna Marie, Ruth and Peggy. He leased plays for gambling agents. The Henderson family that grew to include ten performers was able to handle vaudeville, circus and variety presentations. Billboard and local newspapers of the time witnessed the success and popularity of the "Lew Henderson Players."
"Lew Henderson Players" were theatrical, repertory company under canvas playing in the midwest, featuring the upper class, kings' play and vaudeville routines, featuring a company of professional actors, singers, dancers etc.
In 1926 the tent show opened as a dramatic company called "Henderson Ideal Players," and later renamed the "Lew Henderson Players" and continued its tour through 1940.
The family was always together. There were other similar shows, but most owners did not bring their own children. Alice and Lew Henderson eventually had eight children born, raised, and acting in the show.
By the end of the 1930's the economy was improving for all, including the rest of the tents along the way. The beginning of World War II, brought the era of "Tent Repertoire." Again some company closed. Others made their own adjustments, and continued under canvas for years, but many had little resemblance to the first dramatic company.
The era of the theater was diminishing in 1941. The economy had put some shows out of business. Some had lowered their standards; Lew Henderson had been successful enough in the goods days to continued the legitimate dramatic company. Lew Henderson fought hard to stay in business even when he had to lower admission prices "due to the times." Many endured while everyone expected the economy to improve, and did so to some extent.
There were still plenty of entertainment opportunities and the Henderson Family continued singing, dancing etc.
The Henderson Family acts joined circus in 1945 until 1965.
Billie Lou Henderson
On March 7, 1928, the fifth consecutive girl was born, and named Billie Lou Henderson. She was two months old when she made her first debut. As in works presented that summer, the presence of a baby was required in the last act. Usually a doll was used, but she was there and the female actress insisted on taking Billie. In 1928, she made about thirty appearances.
Billie married a musician at the time she was still performing on stage and film, and she raised a family of 4 children. Her husband died in 2007.
The last time Billie performed professionally was for Big Top Chautauqua in Wisconsin 1993 and 1994, and later had the privilege of performing on three shows, performing a song and dance specialty at "The Theatre Museum" in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, 2010.
Lew Henderson began his career in theater as an acrobat and juggler in silent movie houses and at street fairs before 1910. Lew Henderson was a professional artist for about 60 years. He was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1891 and was taken to the Trans- Mississippi Exposition in Omaha, Nebraska, at age seven. He then decided that entertainment was what he would do. He learned acrobatics, juggling and all kinds of balance tricks. With the skills he had acquired, it was in 1908 that he worked as a clown, acting in silent movies, at street fairs and carnival grinding shows.
He was very good at performing, but he did not feel comfortable being a clown. In 1910 he changed his style and was happier and more successful. He continued increasing his skills, building a professional reputation, and eventually owning his own theatrical company.
In 1913 he was at the show of Morgan Brothers United, who performed demonstrations of their routines. Alice Foreman was also there with her Aunt Minnie, who owned a show. Lew Henderson and Alice Foreman got married during the 1914 sessions with Mr. Morgan as Matron of Honor of Mother.
Lew and Alice remained with Morgan Brothers until the autumn of 1914, when Variety Magazine, October 1914, reported that the show was closing in the south due to cotton "Boycott."
Lew Henderson, the clown with the umbrella. Performed in ten-in-one "grind shows" 1908 and 1909.
Lew And Alice Henderson went to Memphis, Tennessee where their daughter, Edna, was born in January in 1915, and then joined the J.J. Holmes, Clifton Show Company Medicine in Iowa. They eventually bought the company in 1918, changing the name to "Henderson Ideal Players."
In the 1920's, dramatic tent shows were very popular. Lew Henderson bought a new tent and a truck. He joined the Actor's Equity, and hired professional actors, singers, dancers, and musicians (including Lew and Alice Henderson), and their children, Anna Marie, Ruth and Peggy. He leased plays for gambling agents. The Henderson family that grew to include ten performers was able to handle vaudeville, circus and variety presentations. Billboard and local newspapers of the time witnessed the success and popularity of the "Lew Henderson Players."
"Lew Henderson Players" were theatrical, repertory company under canvas playing in the midwest, featuring the upper class, kings' play and vaudeville routines, featuring a company of professional actors, singers, dancers etc.
In 1926 the tent show opened as a dramatic company called "Henderson Ideal Players," and later renamed the "Lew Henderson Players" and continued its tour through 1940.
The family was always together. There were other similar shows, but most owners did not bring their own children. Alice and Lew Henderson eventually had eight children born, raised, and acting in the show.
By the end of the 1930's the economy was improving for all, including the rest of the tents along the way. The beginning of World War II, brought the era of "Tent Repertoire." Again some company closed. Others made their own adjustments, and continued under canvas for years, but many had little resemblance to the first dramatic company.
The era of the theater was diminishing in 1941. The economy had put some shows out of business. Some had lowered their standards; Lew Henderson had been successful enough in the goods days to continued the legitimate dramatic company. Lew Henderson fought hard to stay in business even when he had to lower admission prices "due to the times." Many endured while everyone expected the economy to improve, and did so to some extent.
There were still plenty of entertainment opportunities and the Henderson Family continued singing, dancing etc.
The Henderson Family acts joined circus in 1945 until 1965.
Billie Lou Henderson
On March 7, 1928, the fifth consecutive girl was born, and named Billie Lou Henderson. She was two months old when she made her first debut. As in works presented that summer, the presence of a baby was required in the last act. Usually a doll was used, but she was there and the female actress insisted on taking Billie. In 1928, she made about thirty appearances.
Billie married a musician at the time she was still performing on stage and film, and she raised a family of 4 children. Her husband died in 2007.
The last time Billie performed professionally was for Big Top Chautauqua in Wisconsin 1993 and 1994, and later had the privilege of performing on three shows, performing a song and dance specialty at "The Theatre Museum" in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, 2010.
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