Amelia Blair Stanley

1985 - 2024

Amelia Blair Stanley, 39, of Washington, DC, died in Washington, DC, of breast cancer on April 2, 2024.

She was born in Bethesda, Maryland, on January 11, 1985, to Gary and Elizabeth Stanley. Amelia attended Walt Whitman High School before studying Arts Administration and Theatre Education at New York University.

Amelia loved musical theatre and took pride in having what many would refer to as a "theatrical personality." She got an early start in productions in nursery, elementary, middle, and high school as well as a summer program at University of California, Los Angeles. She got an internship at the Old Vic in London while studying abroad in college, as well as internships in Manhattan at the Roundabout Theatre and Jazz at Lincoln Center while studying at NYU. Although she never graced the stage as a nominee, she snagged a front row ticket at the Tonys. She was comfortable behind-the-scenes or in the spotlight and knew the power of talented individuals contributing to every aspect of a production. She earned the moniker of "Captain of Making it Happen" while working at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Amelia was also an avid DC sports fan — Nats, Commanders, Caps, and tennis — who knew as much about Strasburg, Kerrigan, Ovechkin, and Roddick as she did about Sondheim. Her computer desktop screensaver was the Nats celebrating their 2019 World Series win, and she looked forward to Opening Day every year.

Amelia loved pop culture. She dressed up in a hot pink outfit when she went to see the Barbie movie with friends. The Pete Davidson "Saturday Night Live" spoof of the "I'm Just Ken" song cracked her up. Amelia loved the TODAY show, and watching it was part of her morning routine. She was a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and The Great British Baking Show and was an excellent baker, epicure, and wine lover.

Amelia was passionate about arts, culture, community, and philanthropy. She most recently served as the Senior Director of Development at Sixth & I, where she had worked since September 2021. Her Sixth & I colleagues describe her as fiercely intelligent, hard-working, strategic, funny, and generous. Prior, she worked as the Director of Development for PlayMakers Repertory Company at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also held positions with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Avalon Consulting Group, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Amelia loved to celebrate occasions with and for others. On her own birthday, she made the day extra sweet with her tradition of having dessert with every meal. Breakfast cake was a particular favorite!

Amelia was preceded in death by Simon Lazarus, Jr. and Harriet Stricker Lazarus, her maternal grandparents; by B.M. and Evelyn Stanley, her paternal grandparents; and by her aunt, Marty Weiden, and her cousin, Catie Lazarus, who both lost their own battles with breast cancer much too soon. She is survived by her parents Gary and Elizabeth (Libby) Lazarus Stanley; her sister Lucy Stanley, and her cat Mitzi; her aunt and uncle Helen and Ronald Freeman, her uncle Simon Lazarus III, and uncle Dr. Paul Weiden, and her many beloved cousins.

So true to the beliefs she held, Amelia chose to donate her body to the Anatomy Gifts Registry (www.anatomygifts.org) to support medical research advancements. Amelia's family plans to hold a memorial service for her at Sixth & I at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Amelia's family requests that you remember her by making a donation to Sixth & I at www.sixthandi.org/donate to help carry on her important work there in supporting the arts and DC's Jewish community.