Jessie Bonstelle (November 1871 – October 14, 1932) was an American
theater director, actress, and drama company manager. She started performing at a young age and went on to become a famous leading lady on
Broadway. She later became a director, managing many
stock companies, directing Broadway productions and training many young performers who went on to successful careers. From 1906 she managed stock companies at the Star Theater in
Buffalo, and from 1910 also at
Detroit's Garrick Theater, moving weekly between the two cities. Later, she founded the
Bonstelle Playhouse in Detroit, which opened in 1925 and was one of America's first civic theaters.
Photograph credit: Bain News Service; restored by CAPTAIN MEDUSA