Douvillier, Suzanne (1778–1826)

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Douvillier, Suzanne (1778–1826)

French-born ballet dancer. Name variations: Suzanne Placide or Madame Placide; Suzanne Théodore Vaillande Douvillier. Born Suzanne Théodore Vailland, Sept 28, 1778, in Dole, France; died Aug 30, 1826, in New Orleans, Louisiana; probably the illeg. dau. of Marie Reine Vailland; m. Louis Douvillier (singer and dancer, died 1821).

Brought to US at 14 by Alexandre Placide (1791); made NY debut in The Bird Catcher (1792); was leading ballerina for a French company in Charleston, SC (1794–96) and also staged an original ballet of her own, Echo and Narcissus (1796); settled with husband in New Orleans, where he was principal singer and she was 1st dancer of the New Orleans stage; as the 1st woman choreographer in America, staged numerous ballets.

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