Meet Louisa May Alcott

Portrayed by Pat Jordan from the American Historical Theater

Louisa May Alcott grew up at a time when America's views on education, philosophy, and human rights were radically changing.

Her father was a pioneer in education whose friends included Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Margaret Fuller.

After living in an ideal utopian community, moving numerous times, and struggling to make a career for herself, Louisa, the tomboy of the Alcott household, went off to become a nurse in the Civil War, profoundly changing her life. Deciding never to marry, the Alcott’s “Merry Spinster” continued to write and work tirelessly for social reform. Later, she single-handedly supported her family.

 Discover her struggles and successes, her eccentric father and hard-working mother, and about the sisters who inspired Louisa’s most famous work "Little Women".

An accomplished actor, operatic singer, and historian, Pat Jordan is a Philadelphia treasure. Working with the American Historical Theatre since 1992, Pat is known for the dramatic intensity of her performance. With a degree in theatre from Villanova, training at Juilliard Opera Workshops, and years of experience with the German Theatre Guild and AHT, MS. Jordan’s roles have included Shakespearean heroines, Victorian Music Hall comediennes, and opera divas. A devoted teacher, Pat has led history camps, taught at the Institute for the Gifted and at Bryn Mawr College. She was honored in 2009 by the Darlington Arts Center for her many years of teaching as part of the award-winning Chester Youth Theatre Outreach Program. Her "Rocks in the Sun" play about every person’s right to clean water led to a gratifying performance and workshop for young people whose caretakers died in the 9-11 tragedy. Pat Jordan has appeared at venues that include the White House Visitors Center, Library of Congress,  Smithsonian Institute, National Archives, Franklin Institute, Peddler’s Village (Cock & Bull Restaurant), National Constitution Center, Union League, National Portrait Gallery, Deshler-Morris House, and Mount Vernon.  Besides acting and singing, Ms. Jordan creates family-friendly scripts appropriate for audience-members of all ages.

Upcoming events