Edward Jules Stern, 72, died peacefully on April 2, 2019 surrounded by his loving sons, Robert and Ward, and beloved wife of 50 years, Anne. Ed is the husband of Annie Ward Stern, father of Robert Ward Stern and Ward Preston Stern, grandfather of Gabriel and Rose Stern and father-in-law to Katie Mason and Liz Stern. A native New Yorker, he is the son of Sadie and Jack Stern, brother of Jeffrey Stern, and uncle of Jerry and Lisa Stern, and Rachel Stern Wolff. He graduated from the University of Virginia (BA) and Indiana University (MA). He was co-founder of Indiana Repertory Theatre, taught at several universities and was Producing Artistic Director of Playhouse in the Park for 20 years. Donations in his memory may be made to the Edward J. Stern Endowment for Artistic Excellence at Playhouse in the Park or to the University of Virginia Theatre Department.
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Donations in his memory may be made to the Edward J. Stern Endowment for Artistic Excellence at Playhouse in the Park or to the University of Virginia Theatre Department.
Darrell c. Miller says
April 7, 2019 at 10:27 pmEd was a wonderful person. He would jump in and help the volunteer ushers at Playhouse in the Park . I will always remember him bringing the first Tony Award to the volunteer picnic that year.
Michele and Buck says
April 8, 2019 at 4:15 amAnne and boys, I know you have wonderful memories together. Buck and I send our condolences to all of you. Hopefully you have found peace and comfort now that you know he is in a better place and no longer suffering.
Cindy Gregory (Burr) says
April 8, 2019 at 9:42 amEd was one of the kindest men I ever knew besides his other great talents. He helped me to smile again after losing my husband many years ago. His caring and sincerity made a difference. God Bless
Janet Setchell says
April 8, 2019 at 2:20 pmEd was such a lovely man with a gentle soul and he always had a smile on his face. I saw him many. many times at Glengarith Farm feeding an abundance of carrots to Ann’s horse Dickens who he spoiled rotten! He will be sadly missed by the Cincinnati arts community and Dickens too!
My sincere condolences to Ann and the Stern family.
Steven Monder says
April 8, 2019 at 4:00 pmDear Anne and family,
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Ed. The world has now one less “good” person – something it can ill afford. I am grateful for the privilege and pleasure of knowing him. I know I will always be mindful of, and grateful for, the opportunities I had to watch Ed expand and make accessible “the arts” with his wit and folksy erudition, making its acceptance easy and enthusiastic by everyone he engaged. His commitment and intensity were well masked by his completely unpretentious manner and his infectious joy. Oiye!
Tim Berglund says
January 30, 2026 at 6:22 pmI worked with Ed at Indiana Repertory Theatre and I gotta tell you, he was a righteous & funny guy. He was a terrific director. One funny instance at IRT in the Athenaeum days: The building was old, the men’s bathrooms were wooden stalls and rattling plumbing. The toilet paper were those boxes that held single sheets. There were precious few in the box. I heard someone come in the restroom and go into the stall next to mine. A minute or so later, I heard a voice (Ed’s) ask if I could share some toilet paper, I said “Sorry, I think I have only enough for myself”. A few seconds later Ed said, “ You got singles for a twenty”.
We both bust out laughing and I was able to scrounge up some TP to help him out. We had a great laugh about that all the rest of the season & years later when I bumped into him in Cincinnati. I am so sorry to hear of his passing six years later. He had a good life and he was so welcoming and inspirational to me as young guy just getting started in professional theatre. I will never forget him or his kindness. I wish there were a thousand more like him.