SIDRA GAY RAUSCH

RAUSCH SIDRA GAY RAUSCH January 26, 1937 ~ August 14, 2017 Always in our hearts with love and forever that shall be. Jim, Kathryn and Pamela One year ago, friends and family of the beloved playwright, singer, songwriter, teacher, and long-time Washingtonian, Sidra Rausch, gathered with her to celebrate her birthday. "People say such nice things about you when you're gone, " Sidra said. "I thought I'd have a memorial while I'm around to hear them!" We shared with Sidra that day the many ways in which she enriched our lived. But today, in her absence, we wish to say it again and to share with the world Sidra's many accomplishments. A New York City native, Sidra attended Bennington College in Vermont and Mannes School of Music, and earned a master's degree in vocal performance from Boston University. Her recordings include a solo album, a collection of ethno-pop songs that reflect various aspects of Israeli culture, called "Sidra in Concert." Sidra taught at Leslie College and developed a career performing in the Boston area. Sidra received fellowships to the Aspen Music Festival and Playwrights' Horizons in New York City. She developed her campy, but earnest, super-heroine musical, "Meteor Girl," inspired by a conversation with Betty Friedan, at New York City's La MaMa. Later she teamed with Batman cartoonist Jerry Robinson to re-create "Meteor Girl" as "Astra," which was presented in the Capital Fringe Festival with Robinson in attendance. "Astra" was also developed into a popular Japanese manga comic. Among Sidra's plays are "Stella Adler" (Kennedy Center New Plays Festival) and "Timberland 1961," which won Source Theatre Festival's H.D. Lewis Award for Best Play. Much of Sidra's work is semi-autobiographical. "Timberland" drew from her childhood experiences at summer camp. "Long Beach "44" (Capital Fringe Festival), recalls memories of family summers at the beach, "How I Became a Bennington Girl" explores the mores of such a school at the time of her attendance, and "On the Road to Havana" depicts a brush with Castro. Sidra's plays are tinged with humor, often feminist, usually Jewish, and always generous. Several display an intimate portrayal of a family, modeled on Sidra's own, experiencing in a personal way the larger cultural and political mechanisms of the time. They all reflect their creator's clear-eyed take on the suffering in the world, as well as her admonition that love and compassion are the remedies. The ambitions of her heroes, though they are almost exclusively heroines, are tempered only by their gentleness. Sidra moved to Washington, DC in 1992, where she cultivated a lively studio. She combined a strong background in classical technique and performance with a Zen approach to the art of singing, which brought out the best in her students. Said on, "Sidra's spirit is larger than her physical being. Her lessons are charged with creativity while she radiates a nurturing, patient understanding of the student mind." With her friend and colleague, Karen Berman, Sidra co-founded Washington Women in Theatre (WWIT) to promote women's music and theatre projects dealing with political, social, and historical issues from a woman's perspective. WWIT presented several of Sidra's plays, including "Astra." Sidra was also a long-time member of the Playwright's Forum. Increasing health challenges brought Sidra to Five Star Premier Residences in Chevy Chase, where she became practically famous. A pass through the dining room was not possible without multiple stops to catch up with adoring friends and fans. Even as her health continued to decline, Sidra pressed on, writing and producing her final play, "Uncle Julie." A semi-autobiographical tribute to Sidra's beloved uncle, the play was presented by WWIT at American University's Katzen Center for the Arts just months before Sidra's death. A caring, openhearted woman, Sidra was full of life, always working on a new project toward a greater goal, but actively investing in the people around her and routing for their success. Those who knew her remember her warmth, her dry humor, her persistence, and her loving, accepting nature, her essential faith in humanity. Vibrant, talented, funny, brave, and devoted, Sidra gave and received enormous love throughout her life. Her last great love came late in her life, a surprise and a blessing to her. We took pleasure in witnessing her job - the girlish delight, as well as the abiding gratitude - in finding a true partner in Mr. James Haahr. Although we all wish there had been more time, Jim said, "Our four years together were the greatest gift she could have given me."