The Dark History of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Chorus Girls in 1920s Broadway
Sexual abuse on Broadway is a dark part of the theater industry’s history. Likely, it is still occurring to this very day. The entertainment industry has long been known for its sexism and objectification of women (and men), and Broadway is no exception. Women in the industry, particularly chorus girls and other performers, have historically been vulnerable to sexual abuse by powerful producers, directors, and others in positions of authority.
In the early days of Broadway, sexual harassment and abuse were common, even expected. Absolutely nothing was done to address the issue. Dancers (chorus girls and chorus boys) were often expected to provide sexual favors to producers and directors in exchange for roles and better pay. Those who refused were often blacklisted and prevented from finding work in the industry. Many young women and men were outright sexually assaulted and expected to return to work the next day.
Limited Opportunities for Women in the 1920s
In an era when women had limited opportunities for professional success, the entertainment industry was one of the few avenues to achieve some level of financial independence. Broadway, in particular, was known as the top of the hill. From the 1910s until the throes of the Depression, it was the apex of success in the theater.
Being a Broadway dancer not only paid decently, it meant that suitors were after you. Therefore, finding a successful mate to marry in the hopes of living a better life was central to many showgirls. Marriage was the goal. Working on Broadway was one of the only ways they could meet such prospects and marry out of their class. For the starry-eyed, working in the Broadway circuit was a way toward potential fame and fortune.
Everyone had their goals. However, these goals came at a steep price.
A Culture of Systemic Abuse
During the 1920s, sexual abuse on Broadway was systemic. It didn’t really matter where one worked. Every theater had a head, and every head had a penis. In fact, every theater had multiple heads: owners, partners, friends, buddies, pals, directors, producers, suitors, admirers – the list goes on. “Lowly” chorus girls were simply targets.
Most chorus dancers were particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse on Broadway because they had no power. These young women (and men) were often from working-class backgrounds and had limited resources, making them easy marks for those in positions of authority.
Many producers and directors would dangle opportunities for girls to move ahead in exchange for sexual favors. If the girl was “lucky,” she’d be offered a spot in the front row. This spot was coveted as the public could easily see dancers’ faces, perhaps leading to a better suitor or recognition and fame. If she was really fortunate, she might get a line or two!
Yes, in 1920s Broadway, the culture of sexual exploitation and abuse was rampant.
In fact, the abuse was so ingrained in the Broadway community that many “experienced” girls used it to what they considered their advantage. It must be said that this was not the case for all dancers, particularly for those starting out. However, a chorus girl who “knew the ropes” might leverage her attractiveness to men in power to make opportunities happen for herself.
It was a survival tactic, but it often gave the impression that chorus girls welcomed the behavior.
Public Perception of Chorus Girls: One Step Up from Prostitutes
In the 1920s, members of the public often viewed chorus girls as “one step up” from prostitutes. Prostitutes have always been one of the most derided, stigmatized members of American society, and they still are. In the 1920s, their association with chorus girls was fueled by the perception that chorus girls willingly participated in the sexual exploitation. The fact that some girls used it to their “advantage” was confirmation.
It was a well-known secret that chorus dancers were expected to provide sexual favors to producers, directors, and the like. Nobody openly discussed it in public, but most people knew of the “casting couch” and what went on there. To them, being a Broadway performer was a choice, and they weren’t entirely wrong. But, they assumed the chorus girls were simply loose women, totally okay with all the sex. Maybe they even enjoyed it.
The truth of anything is multifaceted and often difficult to pin down, especially in one blog article. However, the public’s general view of chorus girls at this time was far from the truth. It was the same old “boys will be boys” mentality where “women should know better.”
A fifteen to eighteen-year-old girl should know better than a fifty-year-old man. Got it.
Most did not think about how the girls were pressured to trade sexual favors for jobs, often forcibly. They didn’t consider how girls who refused to comply with the demands were blacklisted and prevented from finding any work in the industry. For the girls, this often meant going back to where they came from, and that was often not an option.
All of this made it difficult for women to speak out or report incidents of abuse, as they feared retaliation and the potential end of their careers and dreams. Plus, they knew nothing would be done about the issue, anyway.
Chorus girls were also subjected to other forms of sexual harassment, such as unwanted touching, leering, lewd comments, and even violence. Many women were forced to tolerate this behavior in silence to avoid jeopardizing their livelihoods. This created and perpetuated a culture where the line between a career as a showgirl and a career in prostitution was blurred.
Widespread Victim-Shaming
Ironically, chorus girls were also viewed as exotic and glamorous, and their performances added an exciting element to the shows they were part of. However, this was often overshadowed by the belief that these women were using their bodies to gain success. In many circles at this time, chorus girls’ reputations were forever tarnished by their association with the entertainment industry.
The ignorant public mainly blamed the young women for the “choices” they had made, adding the notion that “they had what was coming to them.” But many of the girls were young and simply trying to survive. A good number were from broken homes where the abuse they experienced on the stage was perhaps “preferred” to the abuse they’d gone through growing up. All had their reasons.
Sexual Abuse of Young Men: Atrocious and Underreported
While sexual abuse of young females, particularly of chorus girls, was prevalent in 1920s Broadway, it’s important to acknowledge that sexual abuse of young males also occurred in the industry during this time.
Like young women, many young men who entered the entertainment industry had limited resources and were vulnerable to exploitation by those in power. Due to the societal stigma surrounding homosexuality at the time, however, no one wanted to mention it—not even among peers.
This was in sharp contrast to the abuse of the girls. Powerful men often openly bragged about those exploits. They knew there was nothing anyone would or could do about it. In fact, the consensus was that it came with the territory of working in the industry.
Acknowledging Past Hurt
The widespread use of sexual exploitation in the entertainment industry during the 1920s was a dark part of Broadway’s history. However, it’s necessary to acknowledge the harm done during this era. These were generally young women and men with little means. Opportunities for women were almost nonexistent outside of marriage. These young people were just trying to get by and make better lives for themselves. They had dreams and fears, just like anyone.
Though some may have appeared to adapt to the sexual abuse “better” than others, abuse of any kind deteriorates the human spirit. It brings challenges that often last long after the abuse has occurred, and people respond to trauma in different ways. Chorus dancers in the 1920s lived hard lives and deserve our respect and recognition.
We’ve come a long way since the 1920s, but there is still much work to be done to address issues of sexual abuse and harassment in the industry today. Awareness of the problem bubbles up to the surface of our societal consciousness from time to time, but then it goes away. It was especially pronounced in 2017 during the #MeToo “movement,” and promising changes seemed to be on the horizon. Nonetheless, after the curtains closed and one man was prosecuted, “business as usual” returned.
Many organizations are working alongside state and federal governments to provide much-needed support and protection for victims of sexual abuse. However, it is still difficult for victims of wealthy and influential people to come forward. Nobody feels safe bringing any complaints to the authorities when a big name is involved – the media frenzy alone is enough to make most people take a back seat, especially in our highly-politicized country.
Sadly, the legacies of men like J.J. Shubert and Earl Carroll live on.