StageQ was founded in 2001 by Thomas McClurg in order to provide a stable home for gay and lesbian-themed plays within the broader Madison theater community. A familiar face in the Madison theater community at the time, Tom’s stage roles included Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Freddie in Arsenic and Old Lace, Uncle Freddie in Bent, and, most notably, Sterling in Jeffrey. Tom also produced the Madison presentations of Paul Rudnick’s Jeffrey and The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told. As StageQ’s Artistic Director from its inception through 2005, Tom selected the plays it mounted and served as the point of contact between the shows’ producers and the StageQ board. Tom’s vision and early leadership helped to establish StageQ’s mission and direction.