Carmencita facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carmencita
Screencap from the short film Carmencita (film) in 1894
Born	Carmen Dauset Moreno 1868 (1868) Almeria, Spain
Died	1910 (1911) (aged 42) USA
Years active	1880–1895

Carmen Dauset Moreno, known as Carmencita (1868 – 1910), was a famous Spanish dancer. She performed in early American dance shows and music halls.

Carmencita's Life Story

Early Life and Dance Training

Carmencita was born in Almería, Spain, in 1868. She started taking dance lessons in Malaga. In 1880, she had her first professional dance show at the Cervantes Theatre in Malaga.

Touring and Coming to America

After her debut, Carmencita toured Spain in 1882. She also traveled to Paris and Portugal. In 1889, she returned to Paris for a big world's fair called the Exposition Universelle (1889). There, a theater agent named Bolossy Kiralfy saw her dance. He convinced her to come to the United States.

Carmencita first performed in New York City on August 17, 1889. She danced in a show called "Antiope." She soon became very famous under the management of John Koster and Albert Bial. They featured her at their 23rd Street Concert Hall starting in February 1890.

Performing Across the Country

For several years, Carmencita performed in many big cities across the United States. She was a popular dancer. In late 1894, she performed at Koster & Bial's new Koster and Bial's Music Hall. After these shows, she decided to sell her belongings and return to Europe.

She continued to dance in Europe. In February 1895, she performed at the Palace Theatre, London. She also danced at the Théâtre des Nouveautés in Paris from time to time.

Carmencita in Art and Early Films

Inspiring Artists

Carmencita was so inspiring that people wrote poems and stories about her. Today, she is remembered because famous artists painted her portrait. These artists included John Singer Sargent, William Merritt Chase, and James Carroll Beckwith.

First Woman in a Film

Carmencita also played a special role in early movies. She appeared in a short film called Carmencita (film). This film showed her dancing a routine she performed at Koster and Bial's Music Hall.

Some film experts believe Carmencita was the first woman to appear in a modern movie made for people to watch. She might even have been the first woman to appear in a movie in the United States. This makes her an important part of film history!

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  Carmencita, painted by William Merritt Chase

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  La Carmencita, painted by John Singer Sargent

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  A poster for Carmencita's show at the Olympia music hall in Paris

Carmencita's Films

See also

In Spanish: Carmencita para niños