Stephen R. Lawson

1949 - 2023

BORN

1949

DIED

2023

About

Williams College

Stephen Lawson Obituary

Stephen R. Lawson, 73, died on February 7, 2023, of natural causes at his home in Williamstown.

Steve was born in Rye, NY, and graduated from Rye High School in 1967.

He graduated from Williams College in 1971 with a BA in English, and from Yale University School of Drama in 1976 with an MFA in Drama. At Williams, he was an active participant in Cap & Bells, receiving the Gilbert Gabriel award, and began his long association with the Williamstown Theatre Festival. He was part of the Theatre Festival for over 50 years, as an actor, writer, dramaturg, and director. He was a founder of the Free Theatre and was instrumental in setting up and being a member of the late-night Cabaret for many years.

A prolific student of film, he founded and ran the Williamstown Film Festival for 15 years. He took great joy in bringing independent films and documentaries to the Berkshires, along with their actors, writers, and directors.

His writing talents were evident. He wrote for television, including St. Elsewhere and The Dick Cavett Show, nationally for publications as diverse as the New York Times, Travel and Leisure and Saturday Review, and more locally for the Williams Alumni Review. He held an early position with Manhattan Theatre Club in New York City, before settling in Williamstown full-time.

He is survived by his brother Jon and sister-in-law Nicole of Rhinebeck, NY.

There will be no memorial service. Donations in Steve's memory can be made to the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Berkshire Eagle on Feb. 15, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Lawson

Sponsored by The Berkshire Eagle.

10 Entries

Christopher Graham

August 10, 2023

I met Steve when I was an Apprentice at the esteemed Williamstown Theatre Festival. We continued our friendship years later, including his stewardship of Writers In Performance (his beloved WIP) at the Manhattan Theatre Club with artistic director Lynne Meadow. Always a consummate actor, he was also a perfect mimic, in tone, voice, and gesture. One day he regaled me with a fond memory. Nikos Psacharopoulos was directing us in Tennessee Williams´ "Camino Real." In a major crowd scene with the apprentices that mirrored an epic migration, he yelled `Action!´ It didn´t go according to plan. "Cut!" he yelled. "You apprentices! You zigged when you should have zagged!" (In Steve´s best Greek accent). May will all continue to Zig when should have zagged. I will miss you, Steve-O. God Bless.

Jerry W Carlson

Planted Trees

Jerry W Carlson

April 15, 2023

I knew Steve as a fellow student at Williams College. We shared a passion for cinema and studied together in an intense course that analyzed 16 (!) films by Ingmar Bergman. I can still hear his voice debating with Professor Samuels. Decades later I produced several television discussions of Bergman. Who to invite? Steve, of course. He didn't miss a beat. Brilliant, as always. RIP, my fellow cinephilic Eph.

Daniel Gerroll

Planted Trees

Daniel Gerroll

February 21, 2023

Steve strolled into my dressing room at Wyndham´s in the west end and unilaterally declared himself a friend. I had no idea who he was but sure enough the friendship blossomed over decades. He wasn´t just part of the theatrical fabric he contributed to the design.

Christine Bubbico

February 16, 2023

My memories of Steve are vivid, and his impact on me remains today, albeit our friendship existed in the short span of high school. From all the things I've read about Steve over the years, the boy I knew was the man. Bright, generous, talented, friendly, funny - kind.
My deep condolences to his family and all who loved him.

Abbe Clement Stein

February 16, 2023

So sorry to hear of Steve´s passing. We grew up together in Rye, NY, and were in the same class. Last I saw him was at my son´s graduation from Williams, in 2000. Steve was already an institution in the Williams theater world. Johnathon , I m so sorry for your loss.

Barbara Peck

February 15, 2023

I met Steve when he was 18 and involved with the Williams freshman review. Of my few years doing theatre at Williams and then two years at the Summer Theatre, he was ever present. And funny, while being somewhat of a perfectionist. Every time I went home to Williamstown, there was something he was doing associated with the theatre. There are people who HAVE to have their life in and around theatre and it was clear he was one of those even at 18 years old. Condolences to his brother, sister-in-law and all the many, many people who will miss him.

Maureen OBrien-Aderholdt

February 15, 2023

Way back in the beginning of my financial services career, I had the pleasure of talking to Steve and getting him some answers to a couple of questions he had. He was unfailingly kind and funny to me - at that time when I was just a kid with a new job and no experience and no answers and he had no reason or obligation to be a nice guy to this nobody on the phone. I never forgot that and it was almost 30 years ago. I strive to be like he was with me when I am now the older pro dealing with the know-nothing newbies and show them kindness and understanding versus frustration and impatience. I learned that from him. I am sorry you are gone and I hope you lived a life filled with enjoyment and
love.

Jenny Gersten, Williamstown Theatre Festival

February 15, 2023

Steve was singular in his passion for the Theatre Festival. And speaking with him was always entertaining and enlightening. I will miss him very much.

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