Stew and The Negro Problem

The Los Angeles-bred Mark Stewart (a.k.a. Stew) launched the Negro Problem in the early ’90s and garnered mainstream attention with the stage production Passing Strange, which won a 2008 Tony Award for ‘Best Book of a Musical.’ Challenging racial preconceptions though their music, Stew and his collaborator Heidi Rodewald rose through the ranks of the local indie scene with their Afro-Baroque band The Negro Problem. Two-time Obie winner and four-time Tony nominee, Stew leads, along with his collaborator Heidi Rodewald, two critically acclaimed bands: The Negro Problem and the multi-disciplinary ensemble known as Stew. Students may also recognize Stew as the composer of “Gary Come Home” for SpongeBob SquarePants.