[1] She was a hit on Broadway in 1492 Up to Date, where she played banjo and sang songs in German in the role of Fraulein, the Waif, and appeared in other productions including Excelsior Jr..[1][2][3] She also had success on tour with The Tourists in a Pullman Car.

[4] She was born Theresa Ott in New York City, her family having a theatrical reputation in the Boston area.

Of German descent, she studied music in New York City and Dresden.

By 1899, she retired from the stage permanently, reportedly on account of a failing memory.

In 1901 she was committed by her mother to an insane asylum, reportedly due to "melancholia" caused by the death of her husband and brother.