Chicago, Illinois (November 7, 1919 -January 13, 2011) age 82 yrs

Ellen Stewart was an African American Theater director and producer and the founder of La MaMa Experimental Theater Club. During the 1950’s, she worked as a fashion designer for several prestigious stores. These included Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Lord & Taylor, and Henri Bendel. In 1993 the theater community formally recognized Stewart’s contributions with her induction into the Theater Hall of Fame.