Sylvia S. Traeger

Sylvia S. Traeger died on March 16, 2026, at the age of 89.

She was born on October 21, 1936, to Howard and Louise (Shuler) Sigafoose in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Sylvia developed her love the performing arts when she started dance lessons at the age of 4. She loved the many dance recitals she was part of throughout her formative years. In addition to her love of performing, Sylvia thoroughly enjoyed learning. She strongly believed in education. After graduating from Martinsburg High School, she went on to Shephard University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. After graduating she taught high school for six years. Making the decision to follow her dream Sylvia left teaching to return to education. First she went on to West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia for her master's and then Southern Illinois University, in Carbondale, Illinois for her doctorate. Her degrees were in the fine arts with a concentration in theatre. While at SIU she met the love of her life, Charles Traeger. They were married February 21, 1970, in Hartford Connecticut. Together they shared their love of the theatre and mentoring others across the country. Sylvia never lost her desire to perform, though she utilized her management skills throughout her professional career. Charles predeceased her on December 31, 2024.

Among the places she worked were: Corning Summer Theatre, Corning, NY; Hartford Stage Company, Hartford, CT; Center Stage, Baltimore, MD; Actors Theatre of Louisville, Louisville, KY; Indiana Repertory Theatre, Indianapolis, IN; PAF Playhouse, Huntington, NY; Whole Theatre Company, Montclair, NJ; Glimmerglass Opera, Cooperstown, NY; The O'Neill Theater Center, Waterford, CT; Woodstock Summer Festival, Woodstock, NY; and Yale Repertory Theatre, New Haven, CT. Sylvia also worked as a theatre management consultant for many years with FEDAPT (The Foundation for the Extension of the American Professional Theatre). She was sent to individual theatres to consult but and would also speak at Middle Management Conferences that FEDAPT held at the O'Neill Theatre Center.

Sylvia truly made an impact on the American theatre scene across the country at many regional al theatres. Anyone she worked learned from her and became a friend for life.

Sylvia always enjoyed cooking and baking. She would gladly put together a wonderful brunch or dinner for any holiday. Sylvia was especially known for her cookies she baked every year from Thanksgiving through the first 2 weeks of December. Sometimes 2, 3 or even 4 batches of about 22 dozen types of cookies and candy were made! Every year without fail she along with her husband Charlie, and any friends she could conjure into helping would work tirelessly into the night. The Traeger's prepared, packed and mailed tins of cookies all over the world to family and friends for almost 50 years. pack and mail tins of cookies all over the world to family and friends for almost 50 years.

In addition to her husband, Charles, she was predeceased by her father, Howard Sigafoose and her mother and stepfather, Louise and George Aikens.

Sylvia is survived by her husband Charles's sister, Janet Traeger Schick and her husband Robert Schick, along with her niece, Suzanne (Schick) Dickey and nephew, Todd Schick, and their families, as well as several of Charles's cousins. She will also be fondly remembered by her numerous friends and extended family of "theater kids" that she shared and mentored through the years with her husband, Charles.

There will be a celebration at a later date.

If you would like to honor Sylvia's memory, please consider donating either to the Benjamin Mordecai Scholarship at David Geffen School of Drama at Yale (and mail such donation to: David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, Development Office, PO Box 208244, New Haven, CT 06520), or to The Voorhees, NJ Animal Orphanage by clicking this LINK.