Gender
Female
Born
Nov 07, 1919
Alexandria, Louisiana, USA
Died
Jan 13, 2011
New York, New York, USA
Producer Presenter
Comments
Biography: Ellen Stewart was born on November 7, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois. She studied teaching at Arkansas State College. She started La MaMa Experimental Theater Club in the basement of a tenement on East Ninth Street in 1962. At the time, she was a dress designer. Some LaMaMa plays moved to Broadway and had extended runs in commercial Off Broadway houses. She put on about 70 productions a year. She had a son, Larry Hovell, and an adopted son, Duk Hyung Yoo.

Trivia:
The marquees of Broadway theaters were dimmed in her honor on January 18, 2011.
  • CREDITS
    Safe Sex (Apr 05, 1987 - Apr 12, 1987)
    • Originally presented at LaMama Experimental Theatre Club
    PlayOriginal
    André DeShields' Haarlem Nocturne (Nov 18, 1984 - Dec 30, 1984)
    • Originally produced at LaMama Experimental Theatre Club
    MusicalRevueOriginal
    Torch Song Trilogy (Jun 10, 1982 - May 18, 1985)
    • World Premiere in 1978 at LaMama Experimental Theatre Club
    PlayOriginal
    Godspell (Jun 22, 1976 - Sep 04, 1977)
    • Originally produced at Café LaMama
    MusicalOriginal
    Gloria and Esperanza (Feb 04, 1970 - Feb 14, 1970)
    • Produced by LaMama Experimental Theatre Club
    PlayOriginal
  • AWARDS

    Tony Award®

    Regional Theatre Award

    2018 | Recipient
    LaMama Experimental Theatre Club

    Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre

    2006 | Recipient
    Ellen Stewart

    Drama Desk Award

     

    Unique Theatrical Experience

    2004 | Nominee
    LaMama Experimental Theatre Club (for "Ramayana 2K3")

    Special Award

    1980 | Recipient
    LaMama Experimental Theatre Club (for performances by international companies)

    Theatre World

    Special Award

    1991 | Recipient
    Ellen Stewart (as Founder and Artistic Director of La Mama)
Safe Sex (Apr 05, 1987 - Apr 12, 1987)
  • Originally presented at LaMama Experimental Theatre Club
PlayOriginal
André DeShields' Haarlem Nocturne (Nov 18, 1984 - Dec 30, 1984)
  • Originally produced at LaMama Experimental Theatre Club
MusicalRevueOriginal
Torch Song Trilogy (Jun 10, 1982 - May 18, 1985)
  • World Premiere in 1978 at LaMama Experimental Theatre Club
PlayOriginal
Godspell (Jun 22, 1976 - Sep 04, 1977)
  • Originally produced at Café LaMama
MusicalOriginal
Gloria and Esperanza (Feb 04, 1970 - Feb 14, 1970)
  • Produced by LaMama Experimental Theatre Club
PlayOriginal

Tony Award®

Regional Theatre Award

2018 | Recipient
LaMama Experimental Theatre Club

Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre

2006 | Recipient
Ellen Stewart

Drama Desk Award

 

Unique Theatrical Experience

2004 | Nominee
LaMama Experimental Theatre Club (for "Ramayana 2K3")

Special Award

1980 | Recipient
LaMama Experimental Theatre Club (for performances by international companies)

Theatre World

Special Award

1991 | Recipient
Ellen Stewart (as Founder and Artistic Director of La Mama)

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