Benita (McGinnis) McCormick
(1889 – 1984)
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Benita McGinnis, far right, in the title role in the Girls’ Life Class production of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Fullerton Hall, Art Institute of Chicago, 1908. |
To the ham go the parts. That seemed to be the case for my grand aunt Detty (Benita McGinnis), who loved center stage and played the lead in two Shakespearean productions by the Girls’ Life Class of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
The first part was that of Romeo Montague in the all-girl cast of Romeo and Juliet. Aunt Detty, on the far right, strikes a confident pose as our hero.
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From Aunt Detty’s scrapbook. Caption reads, “Men’s Life Class.” They seem to be warming up for their supporting role as the band for the Girls’ Life Class production of “Romeo and Juliet. Fullerton Hall, Art Institute of Chicago, 1908. |
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| The program above refers to “A Hand- Made Play” and “Another One,” possibly hinting at the fun that awaited the audience on the evening of May 12, 1908. |
Not to be outdone by their female counterparts, the Men’s Life Class, evidently a fun-loving group, offered their voice and instruments in musical support of the production. In these two photographs, also from Aunt Detty’s scrapbook, they show us there is more than one definition of “comedy.” (Note the school initials, “AIC ’08 on the side of the drum.)
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| Caption reads, “Mens’ Life and Band, whooping it up for the Girl’s play of “Romeo & Juliet.” Fullerton Hall, Art Institute of Chicago, 1908. What were they pointing at? |
In case you missed it:
Part 2: Not so Wordless Wednesday: Much Ado about Benita
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