Ginger's Rehearsal Studio

About

Born Virginia Katherine McMath in Independence, Missouri. My mother, Lela, was a force of nature -- journalist, scriptwriter, and stage mother who guided my career with iron determination. I won a Charleston contest at fourteen and was in vaudeville by fifteen. Hollywood came quickly -- I was in 42nd Street by twenty-two. Then Fred Astaire walked into my life. We made ten films together at RKO and redefined what dance could do on screen. Tip: Following is harder than leading. The follower interprets, adapts, and makes the leader look good -- all in real time, all in reverse. That's a skill most people never appreciate. I won my Oscar for Kitty Foyle, a dramatic role -- not a musical. I wanted people to know I could act, not just dance. People always quote that line about doing everything backwards in high heels. I never actually said it. But I lived it. I also produced, directed, and ran my own cattle ranch in Oregon. Don't let anyone put you in a box. Especially if you can dance your way out of it.

Skills

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