Signe Paterson

[7] After leaving Sweden, Paterson moved to Rhode Island to live with family friends while studying English and dramatic arts.

[8] Soon after, Paterson joined the Chicago chorus of the show A Modern Eve, where she met her longtime dance partner Frank Hale.

Due to the female lead's illness, Paterson was promoted to perform alongside Hale on opening night.

Her debut was received enthusiastically by the audience, and Hale and Paterson went on to perform 300 shows in Chicago, a record for the era.

[7] Together with her manager and eventual husband, F. Ralph Gervers, she is credited with producing the first large-scale stage presentation running at motion picture theaters.

During World War I, she served in the Women's Service Division in New York, also performing in training camps to entertain American troops.