Charles B. Hanford

Charles B. Hanford carved out his place on the American stage during a time when touring companies brought culture to every railroad town. He learned his craft alongside giants like Edwin Booth, absorbing the grand, declamatory style of 19th-century Shakespearean performance. Hanford, however, was not content to be a supporting player. He eventually formed his own theatrical company, taking the lead roles in productions of 'Hamlet', 'Othello', and 'Macbeth'. His career was a partnership with his wife, actress Marie Drofnah, with whom he frequently shared the stage, creating a popular theatrical duo. Hanford's voice and presence were his instruments, and he wielded them to make Shakespeare accessible and thrilling for audiences from New York to the Midwest. He represented a direct link to the theatrical traditions of the past, performing until the early years of the new century.