born 0441; 1920, Alexandria, La., U.S.
U.S. theatre director.
In the 1950s she moved to New York City to become a fashion designer. In 1961 she founded Café La Mama, an experimental theatre specializing in total integration of music, dance, and drama. There she gave a start to many young actors and playwrights, including Bette Midler and Sam Shepard . Stewart became known as the mother of Off-Off-Broadway theatre. A European tour in 1965 made La Mama a mecca for European avant-garde directors. Its frequently distinguished productions have made La Mama a venerated institution and have won more than 50 Obie Awards.