Adams, Maude

Adams, Maude,

1872–1953, American actress, b. Salt Lake City, Utah. Her father's name was Kiskadden, but she used her mother's maiden name. She began acting at an early age and became leading lady to John Drew under the management of the Frohmans, an assignment that lasted for five years. In 1897 she had her first starring role in Barrie's Little Minister. Other Barrie plays she starred in include Quality Street (1901), Peter Pan (1905), the play for which she was most loved, and What Every Woman Knows (1908). In her retirement after 1918, Adams made valuable contributions to the development of stage lighting; in 1937 she became professor of drama at Stephens College.

Bibliography

See biography by P. Robbins (1956).

Adams, Maude (b. Maude Kiskadden)

(1872–1953) stage actress; born in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the daughter of the leading lady of Salt Lake City's stock company. One of the most popular actresses of her day, Adams was best known for her 1905 role as Peter Pan in the J. M. Barrie play. Barrie then cast her in several more of his plays. Graceful and elfin on stage, she was also known among her colleagues as a generous and principled professional.