Adams, Maude, 1872-1953

Maude Ewing Kiskadden (1872-1953), known professionally as Maude Adams, was an American stage actress who achieved her greatest success as Peter Pan.

Actress, author, and educator.

American actress and teacher, also known as Maude Adams Kiskadden.

American actress.

American actress. Original name: Maude Kiskadden

Maude Adams, actress, was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1872.

She made her stage debut with her mother, actress Annie Adams when only a few months old. From 1877-1887 she played children's roles in twenty-six plays. In 1890 Charles Frohman engaged both mother and daughter for his new stock company at New York's Empire Theatre. Under his tutelage, Maude Adams eventually became John Drew's leading lady and was later cast in J.M. Barrie's THE LITTLE MINISTER. She met with great success as Lady Babbie and went on to become the quintessential Barrie heroine in WHAT EVERY WOMAN KNOWS, QUALITY STREET, THE LEGEND OF LEONORA and PETER PAN.

Maude Adams retired from the stage in 1918 and focused her work on perfecting stage lighting. Later she became interested in color photography for motion pictures. She returned to the stage twice - in 1931 to play Portia in THE MERCHANT OF VENICE and in 1934 to play Maria in TWELFTH NIGHT.

In 1937, at the age of 65, she accepted a teaching position at Stephens College in Missouri where she developed an acting program and directed student productions. In 1950, when she was no longer physically able to continue her activities, she returned to her home in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. where she died in 1953 at the age of 81.

Biographical Note

Maude Adams, born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1872, was an American stage actress. Active in the years 1888-1916, she was a successful and high-paid performer known mostly for her role as Peter Pan. Adams headed the drama department at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, from 1937 to 1943. She died in Tannersville, New York, in 1953.

Actress Maude Adams (nee Kiskadden) was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 11, 1872. Her parents were James Kiskadden and stock actress Annie Adams. Maude was only a few months old when she made her stage debut during one of her mother's performances. From 1877-1887 she played children's roles in twenty-six plays. In 1890 Charles Frohman engaged both mother and daughter for his new stock company at New York's Empire Theatre. Under his tutelage Miss Adams eventually became John Drew's leading lady, made a great hit in The Masked Ball, and was fortuitously cast in J.M. Barrie's The Little Minister . She met with incredible success as Lady Babbie and went on to become the quintessential Barrie heroine in What Every Woman Knows, Quality Street, The Legend of Leonora, and, of course, Peter Pan . Among her many other successes were roles in L'Aiglon, Chantecler, and The Jesters . For years Miss Adams not only performed in New York but also took many of her productions on tour. When she retired from the stage in 1918, she focused on perfecting stage lighting and became interested in color photography for motion pictures. She returned to the stage twice: in 1931 to play Portia in The Merchant of Venice and in 1934 to play Maria in Twelfth Night .

In 1937, at the age of 65, she accepted a teaching position at Stephens College in Missouri where she developed an acting program and directed student productions. In 1950, when she was no longer physically able to continue her activities, she returned to her home in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. where she died in 1953 at the age of 81.