By Walter M. Mayes, Artistic Director, South Bay Musical Theatre
Since I first became involved with South Bay Musical Theatre in 2008, no two people have embodied the warmth, generosity, and spirit of our community more than Stacia Truesdale Stuart and Andrew Stuart. They were not only talented performers and contributors to our theater family; they were beloved friends whose presence enriched every corner of SBMT and the other theater groups that were blessed with their participation.
Stacia and Andrew’s story began before most of us knew them as fixtures in our shows. They met in 2007 through theater—an early chapter in a lifelong partnership built on a shared love of the stage. They were both cast in The Producers in 2009, the first show I had the honor of directing at SBMT. They not only performed together on SBMT’s stage, they made SBMT’s thriving theater family a part of their own extended family.
Andrew brought boundless energy and enthusiasm to everything he did. Whether he was lighting up the stage or supporting the crew backstage, Andrew was always ready to step in, help out, unload the truck, climb a scaffold, or even learn to tap dance. One of the many parts he portrayed in The Producers was a drunken bum in the opening number. I found ways to use his energy and comic timing in similar roles in Hairspray and Promises, Promises. He put his singing and dancing talents to good use as one of the three suitors in Kiss Me, Kate, a testament to his versatility and dedication.
Stacia’s presence was equally luminous. Possessed of a killer smile and natural poise, she was an accomplished dancer and soprano. Audiences were captivated by her performances in The Will Rogers Follies, Mack and Mabel, 42nd Street, Jerry’s Girls, Anything Goes, and several other productions. Beyond her talent, her warmth and kindness set the tone for every rehearsal and backstage moment. I remember her in particular for her dependable guiding hand when I had to find my mark in the darkness for a dance number in Mack and Mabel, as well as for her hugs before every performance.
Over the years, they became dear friends to dozens of us in the greater South Bay theater community, supporting fellow artists, encouraging new participants, and modeling what it means to give generously of your time and heart. I had the privilege of officiating their wedding in 2010—a moment that felt as much like a cornerstone of our theater community’s shared history as it did a celebration of their love. The entire ceremony consisted of quotations from musical theater, and I worked for weeks to come up with just the right quotes from shows like Cabaret, The Music Man, and Company to set the tone and describe the journey, hopes, and dreams of their shared life to come, ending with this quote from the end of Candide:
“We’re neither pure, nor wise, nor good
We’ll do the best we know.
We’ll build our house and chop our wood
And make our garden grow.”
To this day, I remember their delighted faces as they began their new life together.
Tragically, on January 16, Stacia and Andrew were struck by a vehicle while crossing a marked crosswalk shortly after dropping off one of their children at school. Andrew succumbed to his injuries at the scene, and Stacia lingered for three days before passing, leaving all who knew them in profound shock and grief. Their seven-year-old twins are now being cared for by family members.
The loss of Stacia and Andrew has left an immeasurable void in our hearts. They were two of the genuinely nicest and most generous people I have had the privilege of knowing. Their talent and spirit were only outshone by their kindness. In the days since their passing, many friends and fellow artists have been sharing memories and condolences on Stacia’s Facebook page, a testament to the lives they touched and the community they helped build.
Details of a memorial service for Stacia and Andrew will be shared as they are confirmed. In the meantime, all of us at SBMT will hold their family and loved ones close in our thoughts, and we pledge to honor the legacy they leave behind—on the stage, in the wings, and in every heart that feels their light.
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