KAUSER, ALICE

(1872-1945)

Born in Budapest, Hungary, she was the daughter of Wagnerian opera singer Berta Gester and grew up among artists. She had already established herself as a play broker when she came to New York in the 1890s. As an author'sagent, she represented some leading European dramatists (including Sardou, Hauptmann, Schnitzler); reportedly, Henrik Ibsen received his only American royalty payment from Kauser. More importantly, she promoted American playwrights, includingMargaret Ayer Barnes, Lee Wilson Dodd, Loften Mitchell,Channing Pollock, Edward Sheldon, and others.