Inga Andersen: The Blackout Girl Remembered

Have you ever thought about how little time it takes for people to be lost to history?

By all accounts, Prince George’s own Inga Hensina Andersen was not only a star but a virtuoso who pushed the boundaries of everything that she did. She didn’t just break ground, but she did it with grace, poise, charisma, and style. In the words of one critic:

“Miss Andersen isn’t a star, she’s a whole constellation”.

After opening the Inga Andersen School of Dance at only age 16, Inga left Prince George in 1930 to make it big in Hollywood. She became an actress and solo dancer/choreographer for the world-famous Albertina Rasch dancers, which saw her tour the world. She also starred in BBC radio dramas and performed as a cabaret artist in upscale nightclubs in England, France, and Italy.

Her talents even took her to the front lines of World War II, where she performed for troops in bombed-out buildings, earning the nickname Blackout Girl. Without the aid of microphones, she captivated soldiers with her voice and stage presence, becoming one of the first performers to boost morale at the war’s onset.

How could such a woman—once the toast of London, New York, and Paris—be forgotten? The answer remains a mystery. But by the end of this exhibition, there’s no doubt you’ll know who Inga Andersen is and why her legacy deserves to shine once more.