Mary Catherine Carmichael

Rachel Haley Abraham, 2024

I’ve joined the 24th Annual PlayOffs Fundraiser for  Constellation Stage & Screen. I’m reaching out to ask for your support — not just for the fundraiser, but in memory of someone very special.

The short story: Please consider making a donation to Constellation Stage & Screen in honor of Rachel Abraham.

The long story: On November 18, 2024, my son Dylan’s fiancée, Rachel Abraham, passed away suddenly from pulmonary hypertension. Her loss was shocking, heartbreaking, and left an enormous hole in our lives.

In the months since, we’ve grieved — but we’ve also celebrated the joy, energy, and passion that made Rachel so deeply loved. One of Rachel’s greatest passions was theater. A proud “theater kid,” she was involved in many productions, both behind the scenes and out front, from childhood through adulthood.

Rachel’s home workspace was decorated with framed Playbills from her favorite Broadway shows. She had a gift for finding discount tickets and made it a personal mission to attend as many performances as possible — a testament to her enthusiasm and love for live theater, even on a young person’s tight budget.

Her love of theater was infectious, and I can’t think of a more fitting way to honor her than by supporting it in our own community.

I hadn’t planned to participate in this year’s PlayOffs — my heart just wasn’t in it. But then I thought of Rachel, her excitement after seeing a great show, and her belief in the magic of live performance. And I knew I had to do this.

Rachel was fortunate to grow up with Broadway nearby. I believe our young people in Bloomington deserve access to that same kind of inspiration and enrichment.

Please give what you can to support Constellation Stage & Screen — and to celebrate the life and spirit of someone who truly loved the theater.

With gratitude,

Mary Catherine