Minister James H. Stovall Jr.

JAMES H. STOVALL, JR., was born in Baltimore, Maryland on May 16, 1958 to Ella and James H. Stovall, Sr. He lived a life dedicated to uplifting and building on his love for people and the arts. Our dear James passed achieving what he loved most, sharing his love for his work and his friends. As a child, he always had a love for music and performing. James began studying piano and voice at the Peabody Conservatory and joined the Urban Musical Theater at 13, where one of his first teachers was Howard University student Debbie Allen. While attending Morehouse College in Atlanta, Stovall got his Equity card during his sophomore year while performing at the Alliance Theater. James made his Broadway debut as a standby for three roles in Bob Fosse’s 1986 musical “Big Deal” and later joined the director/choreographer’s final production, the revival of “Sweet Charity”. Other Broadway credits included. “Once on This Island”, “”The Life”, “Ragtime” (as a replacement in the lead role of Coalhouse Walker Jr. after appearing in the L.A. and Chicago companies), “The Rocky Horror Show” and the 2009 Broadway revival of “Finian’s Rainbow”. Off-Broadway credits include “Sugar Hill”, “Romance in Hard Times”, “Stars in Your Eyes” and “Dessa Rose”. Stovall toured with Donny Osmond in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcost” and played Marty in the Actor’s Fund’s 20th Anniversary concert of “Dreamgirls” in 2001. He served as executive director of Ministry of the Arts & Culture at the United Palace Theatre in Harlem, which had played home to “Nativity: A Life Story”, a production he co-wrote with Hattie Winston, produced and directed. Since 2006, James was artist-in-residence at the Dwyer Cultural Arts Center in Harlem and served as the creative consultant in collaboration with The American Museum of Natural History, Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group, producing and directing the annual Kwanzaa Festival in the Millstein Hall of Ocean Life and the Black History Month Series at the museum. James also co-produce numerous productions and events including “Princess and the Black-Eyed Pea” and the National Parks Service’s African Burial Ground Commemoration. James was called and licensed to preach the Gospel under the pastor ship of Rev. Frederick J. (Rev Ike) Eikerenkoetter at Christ Community United Church. He was currently serving as Minister of Music at New Song Community Church. One of his greatest ambition was to be a part of anything that would inspire, uplift, unify a community and revitalize their spirit. In this way he provided his talent, guidance, support and expertise to countless community Church of Harlem, The Full Gospel Church in Cooksville Maryland, Harlem Art Alliance, and The Actor’s Fund of America and many others throughout his dedicated years. James was loved by all. His associations and support family and friends cross all nationalities, colors, institutions and ages. His memory is cherished because he was to all his loved ones a treasure. His host of family and friends include his father, Rev. James Stovall Sr., Sister Donna Stovall- Jeffress, two lovely nieces that he adored, Micaela Morales and Domanique Jeffress, many aunts and uncles and cousins plus innumerable friends. As we say goodby to James we say “thanks you for this celebration of life”.

Tributes

Minister James H. Stovall Jr.

September 25, 2010