Soubrette

[1] In theatre, a soubrette is a comedy character who is vain and girlish, mischievous, lighthearted, coquettish and gossipy—often a chambermaid or confidante of the ingénue.

The soubrette appeared in commedia dell'arte scenarios, often in the role of Columbina, where the actress would provide the details of her behaviour and dialogue.

[7] Soubrette roles are typically found in comic operas or operettas and they usually portray good-looking, youthful girls who are flirtatious, saucy, and street-wise.

[citation needed] Often lyric, coloratura, and mezzo-sopranos are cast in soubrette roles, especially in the early part of their singing careers.

[7] Many operettas and musicals include soubrette characters, such as Valencienne in The Merry Widow,[9] and in Gilbert and Sullivan the Jessie Bond mezzo-soprano roles such as Pitti-Sing (The Mikado).

[10] Another example is the character Ellie Mae Chipley, who sings "Life Upon the Wicked Stage" in Kern and Hammerstein's Show Boat.