Theatre
Luise made her stage debut in 1926 at the Dumont Theatre in Dusseldorf. She later learnt her craft as a young actress touring Germany and Austria with Max Reinhardt's famous theatre company, appearing in both Berlin and Vienna. It was during this time that she played in the classics; Peer Gynt, Measure for Measure, Six Characters in Search of an Author et al. Luise has always said that her first love was the theatre. In a 1937 interview with Modern Screen magazine she says she regrets being in Hollywood, unable to enjoy the 'legitimate theatre'. It is strange then, that, once her Hollywood career was over Luise did not take to the stage more often. Some of the great roles were hers for the taking but it seems the events of 1935 to 1939, including her marriage to Clifford Odets and her treatment from Louis B. Mayer at MGM had tempered her desire to act. It's certainly true that Luise was offered various roles which she declined as she had a firm belief in exactly what parts she wanted to take on. She did, however, at least have her fair share of some classic roles, if only briefly, including Saint Joan (a part which Luise played on numerous occasions), 'Nina' in Chekhov's The Seagull and 'Ellida' in The Lady from the Sea. In 1952 she made her directorial debut with a production of S. N. Behrman's Biography which toured in Summer Stock in the US.
This list includes details of Luise's stage appearances, including one-woman shows, recitals and public appearances, in chronological order. Where known I have given the dates of the performances, venue, role and any other supporting information. The list also includes some plays which Luise did not take part in but which were linked to her in some way. For more information, including credits and production details, click on the titles, where available.
Plays and dramatic performances
1926 Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind
as Wendla (possibly)
Luise's theatre debut, at the Dusseldorfer Schausspielhaus' School of Stage Art
as Joan of Arc, in Dusseldorf
19?? Mademoiselle by Jacques Deval
19?? Miss Julie by August Strindberg
as Miss Julie
in Germany, for Louise Dumont
1929 Rivalen (based on What Price Glory?) by Maxwell Anderson and Lawrence Stallings
at the Dumont Theatre, Dusseldorf
193? Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare
in Germany
193? Men in White by Sydney Kingsley
in Vienna, directed by Max Reinhardt, possibly with Paul Henreid
193? Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
as Juliet
in Europe, directed by Max Reinhardt
as Joan of Arc, at the Josefstadt Theatre, Vienna (and other venues in Europe)
Directed by Max Reinhardt
1930 The Bachelor Father by Edward Childs Carpenter
at the Dumont Theatre, Dusseldorf
1930 Peer Gynt by Henrik Ibsen
as Anitra
Dusseldorf, Germany (probably at the Dumont Theatre)
1934 An American Tragedy by Theodre Dreiser
as Roberta
Germany (probably a touring production)
1934 Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandelo
in Germany
1934 Scherz, Satire, Ironie und tiefere Bedeutung by Christian Dietrich Grabbe
at the Josefstadt Theatre, Vienna
1934 Rausch by August Strindberg
at the Josefstadt Theatre, Vienna
as Francoise
at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, UK and later at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London
as Joan of Arc
at the Civic Theatre, Washington D.C.. Benefit performance for The Red Cross.
1940 The Constant Nymph
scheduled Summer dates, but never played
as Miss Thing
at the Music Box Theatre, New York
Touring production of the USA, details unknown
as Mary Grey (Joan)
Touring production of the USA
as Mary Grey (Joan)
at the McCarter Theatre, New Jersey
as Nina
at the Brattle Theatre, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
as Ellida
as Mary Grey (Joan)
at the Ivar Theatre, Los Angeles
as Marion Froude (also director)
US Summer Stock tour
as Mary Grey (Joan)
at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA
Interviews, readings and recitals
at Radio City Music Hall, New York City
at the Manhattan Center Theatre, New York City
1954 Selected interpretive readings and excerpts from the Bible
at Pacific Lutheran College's annual drama festival
1958 Eleanora Duse Centenary Celebration
in Rome, reading from Ibsen's A Doll's House
1981 Tribute to Arnold Weissberger
A star-studded celebration of the life of the theatrical attorney Arnold Weissberger
at the Golden Theatre,New York City
A solo show, an adaptation of Tennyson's poem, set to music by Richard Strauss
Touring production of the USA throughout 1981 and 1982
Luise appeared at the festival to receive The George Eastman Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Art of Film
1999 NT2000: Waiting for Lefty
A discussion about Clifford Odets' Waiting for Lefty at the Lyttelton Theatre (National Theatre), London
Interview by American television host Frank Avruch to as part of the 40th anniversary of the University's Special Collections
A personal appearance and interview between screenings of The Good Earth and The Great Waltz
2010 Luise Rainer
A celebration of Luise's 100th birthday, hosted by Sir Christopher Frayling, at the National Theatre, London
2010 Turner Classic Movie Film Festival
Interview by Robert Osborne before a screening of The Good Earth | 
