THE WHITMAN SISTERS

The Whitman sisters have provided tremendous contribution towards entertainment business during the early 1900's as well as paved the path for many aspiring African American entertainers in the vaudeville stage. Their incorporation of gender binaries and racial issues to challenge their audiences, both black and white, were especially significant. Their adoption of different characters (that fooled audiences) played out the gender differences and racial tensions. For example, Alberta was the best male impersonator; she would cross dress, voice, walk, talk and portray male mannerisms. Her stage name was Bert. Her characters with drunk acts spoke out the gender roles and differences. Whereas, the Whitman sisters being mulattoes often switched the color of their hair to impersonate white women. They also performed white acts, most of the time the audiences were unaware of their race. The Whitman sisters gave their audiences range of performances through which they could humorously and sagely work out their racial and gender anxieties.