The Shuberts brothers got their foot in the doors of American theater by accumulating enough theaters to be independent of the Union and directly challenge it. They attack their competitor through advertising campaigns, including the great Sarah Bernhardt, considered one of the greatest American actresses, touring the country in second-class houses and tents because the Union does not did not allow him to perform. The Shubert brothers also welcomed actors and companies who did not want to work exclusively with them and often produced works similar in nature to those handled by the Union, but the Shuberts ensured that their offering had a higher production.