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Ellen Stewart Obituary
During Stewart's 49-year tenure, La MaMa presented some 3,000 productions, hosted artists from more than 70 countries and earned countless cultural awards. She was the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation "genius grant" in 1985 and a 2006 Tony Honor for Excellence in Theater.
"She was extremely nurturing to young theatrical talent and also very open to new ideas and inventive theater," said Brenda Smiley, an actress, writer and journalist who worked with Stewart and remained close. "She allowed people to go beyond and to break barriers in a lot of ways."
Stewart, who was born in Chicago, began her career in New York as a fashion designer and started La MaMa in 1961 when she rented a tiny basement in lower Manhattan for $55 a month to provide her brother and his playwright friends with a space to showcase their plays. Already nicknamed "Mama," one of her actors suggested La MaMa as the name for her theater.
La MaMa moved several more times and took up residence in its original and current space on East 4th Street in 1969. In 1974, the company acquired a second space, The Annex, down the street. In November 2009, on the occasion of Stewart's 90th birthday, The Annex was officially renamed the Ellen Stewart Theatre.
Theater spokesman Sam Rudy said Stewart was instrumental in introducing to American audiences some of the world's most influential artists, including Andrei Serban, Tom O'Horgan, Sam Shepard, Lanford Wilson, Harvey Fierstein, Maria Irene Fornes, Tom Eyen, Jean Claude van Itallie and countless others.
"She had a profound impact on the lives of countless artists, and she left a mark on the city of New York that will never be erased," Oskar Eustis, artistic director of The Public Theater, said in a statement.
The company's resident theater troupes have performed throughout the world including Columbia, Venezuela, Lebanon, Iran, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Scotland, England, Sweden, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Croatia, Korea, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Australia, Greece, Ukraine, Siberia, The Netherlands and Macedonia.
Stewart received the Human Rights Award of the Philippines from President Corazon Aquino and awards from the Emperor of Japan and from France. In the late 1980's, Stewart established La MaMa Umbria International, an artist residence in Spoleto, Italy.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
33 Entries
J Stall
March 14, 2011
The sting of losing a loved one is very painful. Even Jesus became groaned in the spirit and troubled over the lose of a loved one John 11:33. May you find reliefe as Jesus did John 11:41, by praying to our Heavenly Father Philip 4:6,7 and may he grant you the peace that excels all thought.
Ben McCrea
February 2, 2011
A beautiful talented pioneer with a huge heart... I will always remember her wonderful spirit. And, remain ever grateful to have first graced a New York stage at the wonderful LaMama ETC. Thank God for Ellen Stewart...she inspired so many. Love and prayers to her family and friends.
C M
January 31, 2011
Psalm 90:10 states, "In themselves the days of our years are seventy years, And if because of special mightiness they are eighty years..." Although she lived a long life this does not relieve the pain that is felt by her loved ones. May our Heavenly Father give these ones strength and comfort through the Scriptures. Please accept my sincere condolences during this time of your loss. May the God of all comfort, bring comfort to the family and friends of Ms Ellen Stewart. We look forward to the time when sickness and death is a thing of the past.
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Jeffrey Herman
January 29, 2011
Ellen was such a good and loving friend to me, as to so many, many others. I truly loved her for her great kindness. My mother also loved Ellen and always used to ask after her. I hope her family will take comfort from the many, many people whose lives she affected for good.
January 20, 2011
To the Stewart Family and Friends,
What a classy lady, Mrs.Stewart was. I hope you all will cling to all the many wonderful memories she must have made over the years.
In this difficult time I hope you all can find comfort from Psalms 34:18-"God is near to those who are broken at heart..."
You can feel that Death can leave a heartache that nothing can heal, just know that Love can leave a memory that no one can steal.
The Grant Family
January 19, 2011
My condolences to family and loved ones. May the "God of All Comfort" be with you.
Victoria Valdez
January 17, 2011
GodSpeed
"ELLEN"
rose long
January 17, 2011
May god be with you and your family at this time.I don"t no u but I have red about the nice things u have done in your life time.sincere condolences to u all.
Laverne McCardle
January 17, 2011
MY deepest sympathy to Ellen Stewart's Family and all who knew her.
January 17, 2011
Please accept my sincere condolences during this time of your loss. May you find comfort in knowing that God is "nearing to those broken at heart and those crushed in spirit he saves." (Psalm 34:18)
Kayo Richardson
January 16, 2011
My condolences to the family of Ellen Stewart.We have a promise and a hope and these are guaranteed by our creator Jehovah God so take comfort in his words at Titus 1:2.
HEDY SONTAG GIERASCH
January 15, 2011
SHE MADE IT ALL WORTH WHILE, OUR SINCERE WISHES FOR ALL WHO WERE TOUCHED BY HER . HEDY SONTAG AND STEFAN GIERASCH
Robert Patrick
January 15, 2011
Video memories of Ellen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz8ewuzJamw
Camille .
January 15, 2011
Death is so painful for us all because it's not natural-that's why one day it will be no more. In the meanwhile may we all find comfort in the hope that awaits Ellen-life in a world restored to it's original condition-Paradise.
P Blount
January 15, 2011
I extend my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Ms Ellen Stewart.
As your hearts heal may you be comforted by the God of all comfort and each other.(Psalm 34:18)
Shirley
January 15, 2011
Please accept my condolences on your loss, may the God who gives peace be with youn in your time of grief.
Annie Jones
January 14, 2011
My Prayers are with the family. Ellen was a very unique and caring woman. Thank God for allowing our lives to meet!
January 14, 2011
TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF ELLEN STEWART,I EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY AT THIS VERY DIFFICULT AND PAINFUL TIME. PLEASE FIND COMFORT IN READING DANIEL 12;2.A,W.HOUSTON,TX.
Paul ThornBacon
January 14, 2011
Memories of Ellen with her strength, artistic nurturing and outgoing personality will always remain. I was blessed to come to know her through assisting Dr. Tom O'Horgan in his final years and am grateful to Marc Cohen for the wonderful opportunites he provided in being able to access this leader of our industry. Bless all who knew her and may we continue in her tradition of innovative theatre.
leslie ima
January 14, 2011
We thank you, and will miss you, Ellen,
Leslie and Kenji Ima
January 14, 2011
The great lady of the avant garde theater in America. Ellen Stewarts arms embraced all who sought the truth in their art. Two shows performed at La MaMa, (1969) changed my artistic map. Godbless you Ellen Stewart. Thy will be done.
Sticks Carlton Houston, Texas
Annie Ingram
January 14, 2011
Words cannot express the deep sorrow that I feel for Ellen's family & friends. She will truly be missed. May the "God of all comfort" be with you as you cope with your loss.
mary Ross Cunningham
January 14, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
R
January 14, 2011
My sincere condolences to the Stewart family.. May you find peace from the God of all comfort and tender mercies (1 Cor 1:4).
Ben P.
January 14, 2011
What a talented lady. She gave much to the literary community and will be missed by many. I am sorry for the family's loss. It is good to know in a time of grief that many thoughts are with you and that even Jesus thoughts are tuned to your loss.
"This is the will of him that sent me, that I should lose nothing out of all that he has given me but that I should resurrect it at the last day." John 6:39.
Please accept my deepest condolences in your time of sorrow.
Micheal L. Nesbitt
January 14, 2011
My Sincere Condolence....
Micheal L. Nesbitt
Burbank,CA.
R Golay
January 14, 2011
To the the family of Ellen Stewart - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that Miss Ellen will be missed by many.
Catherine
January 13, 2011
My condolences.
Margaret Beard
January 13, 2011
I send my condolences to the Family and Friends of Ellen Stewart,
What a great talent she was, may you continue to hold on to many memorable memories of her. May you also know that you can draw comfort from our Heavenly Father who is the God of comfort for all those who are mourning. " Isaiah 61:2 for He is healing the brokenhearted one and is binding up their painful spots. You are in my prayers.
January 13, 2011
My sincere condolences to the Stewart family.. May you find peace from the God of all comfort and tender mercies (1 Cor 1:4).
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