| Activity | Beatrice was 12 years old when she came to Dartington after her mother's marriage to Leonard Elmhirst. Beatrice's acting talents were apparent from an early age and in 1932 she spent the summer studying drama at the Cornish School in Seattle. Whilst there she was instrumental in persuading a number of artists to spend time at Dartington; including the painter Mark Tobey; the dancer Louise Soelberg; and the puppeteer Richard Odlin. Beatrice returned to Dartington where, for a time, she managed the School of Dance Mime. Under the direction of Ellen Van Volkenburg, her former drama teacher at the Cornish School, she played the role of Norma in 'A Doll's House' with Ruth Elmhirst playing one of her children. In 1934 while studying in New York, Beatrice met Michael Chekhov who was to become her teacher, chief guide and influence. She then helped to establish the Chekhov Theatre Studio at Dartington. Before the Studio opened in 1936 she travelled to India and the Far East, studying dance and drama, at times joining the Uday Shankar Company of Dancers and Musicians on their tours. Chekhov, his entourage and students returned to America in the winter of 1938-39, to premises Beatrice had found for them in Ridgefield, Connecticut where the group continued training, producing plays and touring. During the war Beatrice had her own radio programme on WMCA N.Y.C. Over the years her career flourished with many performances on Broadway and major film roles, winning a Tony Award for her Broadway performance of 'The Crucible', and an Academy Award for her performance in the film 'Network'. She established the Michael Chekhov Studio in New York, in 1980 where she taught. |