Luise Rainer was born into a well-to-do Dusseldorf family on 12th January 1910. Specific dates for most events in this time are not known, but it was during thse formative years that Luise discovered her artistic and creative leanings. Her upbringing was comfortable, although her father was often away on business, she spent time listening to her mother's piano playing and buried her head in reading poetry and play-acting. She was a heartfelt and passionate teenager searching for an outlet for her emotions. Notable highlights of these years were her professional stage debut at the Dusseldorfer Schausspielhaus' School of Stage Art and her initial conflict with her father over the direction she wished to take.
The list is in chronological order and includes key dates in Luise's life and career. As specific dates are hard to find for this early period of her life please take the years as a guide only.
1910
Born in Dusseldorf, Germany (12th January)
1926
Theatre debut at Dusseldorfer Schausspielhaus' School of Stage Art, playing Wendla in Wedekind's Spring Awakwening under the tutelage of Louise Dumont
1928
Signs a two-year contract with Louise Dumont and Gustav Lindemann
Professional debut at the Dumont Theatre, Dusseldorf - Luise played here for a few years in plays by Friedrich Schiller, Jacques Deval, August Strindberg, Rivalen, William Shakespeare and others
1929
Auditioned for the Russian-Jewish Habimah Players, to tour central Europe. He father forbade her to join.
At some point during her time at the Dumont she was seen by Max Reinhardt as she joined his company to tour Europe in the classics in the early 1930s
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