Austinist Mourns Local Talent

Austinist was heavy-hearted to learn this week of the passing of Warren "Ryder" Schwartz. As has been much reported in the press, Schwartz was stabbed to death in south Austin last weekend.

Ryder Schwartz -- a nickname that seemed to grow from "Red" (he had quite the coppertop), to "Red Ryder", to most casually "Ryder" -- was a juggler of unusual talent. In 1987, at the age of 21, when he heard that the Ringling Brothers Clown College would be holding auditions in Austin, Ryder jumped at the opportunity. Allen Varney wrote a nice article at that time: "Ryder prepared his resume carefully, citing his extensive performing credits, skills in gymnastics, magic, knife throwing, skateboarding, and so on. He didn't have a high school diploma; but when you can juggle torches on a unicycle, who cares?" Ryder was readily accepted, completed the program, and went on to international fame as a performer and juggler.

Ryder was a native Austinite to the core; his father Bill was among the first graduating classes of William B. Travis High School in the mid 50's. Ryder performed with local theatre mainstay Esther's Follies for the last 20 years. His colleagues have had nothing but glowing praise for his work both onstage and off, describing him as kind, helpful, and extraordinarily skillful. Of particular note was his ability to juggle five pins while riding a unicycle, as well as his unique routine that involved a top hat, a ball, and a cane. Video of the latter is available at the Statesman's article about Ryder.

Lastly, it seems fitting to include this 1991 coverage from Juggler's World about one of Ryder's successes at a Festival in Stuttgart, Germany:

Red Ryder...was a finalist and the top-rated solo juggler at the first annual Varietipreis Festival in Stuttgart, Germany, in January. He was one of eight finalists chosen to perform from 32 invited entrants for the televised final night of the festival. Schwartz opened his 10-minute act as a tough motorcycle punk, juggling up to four "hubcaps" in Frisbee style. A flashy confetti explosion cued an on-stage costume change and a hat, cane and ball routine that included some magic illusions. That was followed by a comic sight gag, and a cigar box routine with pirouettes and spins. He finished as a cowboy character doing five and four clubs, as well as three clubs and his ten-gallon hat.

Ryder Schwartz is survived by his family including his parents and his daughter. His memorial book, set up by the Austin American Statesman, is here.
His funeral was this afternoon at Riverbend Church; Esther's Follies is holding an informal memorial service this Sunday, from 5-7pm at Esther's Follies.

(On a personal note, the Schwartz family has close ties with the author's family, and she offers her most sincere condolences to them at this very difficult time.)

Image (c) Ray Anderson