Baker, Sarah (1736–1816)

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Baker, Sarah (1736–1816)

English theater manager. Born 1736 in Kent, England; died 1816 in England; children: 3.

England's 1st woman theatrical manager, was widowed in 1769 with 3 young children; assumed control of mother's theatrical company and established a touring circuit in county of Kent; introduced more ambitious repertoire (1777), including Shakespeare and Sheridan; began building permanent theaters in towns frequented by her company (1789), ultimately founding 10; was a successful theatrical entrepreneur for 50 years.

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