L E G A C I E S

Jane Chambers

March 27, 1937 – February 15, 1983

Jane Chambers

Jane Chambers began her career in the late 1950’s as an actress and playwright, working Off-Broadway and in coffeehouse theatre. Her plays have been produced Off-Broadway, in regional theatre, community theatre both in this country and abroad and on television.

She has been the recipient of the Connecticut Educational Television Award (1971, CHRIST IN A TREEHOUSE), a Eugene O’Neill fellowship (1972, TALES OF THE REVOLUTION AND OTHER AMERICAN FABLES), a National Writer’s Guild Award (1973, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, CBS), The New York Dramalogue Critic’s Circle Award, The Villager Theatre Award, The Alliance for Lesbian and Gay Arts Media Award, The Robby Award, The Oscar Wilde Award, The Los Angeles Drama Critic’s Circle Award and a Proclamation from Los Angeles for Outstanding Theatre (1980-83, LAST SUMMER AT BLUEFISH COVE), Dramalogue Award, The Betty Award The Fund for Human Dignity Award, Alliance for Gay Artists, Oscard Wild Award,Village Theatre Award, Robby Award(1987, KUDZU), The Betty Award, (1985, THE QUINTESSENTIAL IMAGE) and The Fund for Human Dignity Award (1982), among others.

Published novels include BURNING originally published by Jove Press 1978 and then released by JH Press 1983, released by T’N’T’ Classics 1995, and CHASING JASON published by JH Press 1987. Her articles have appeared in such publications as THE NEW YORK TIMES and HARPERS.

Published plays: MY BLUE HEAVEN (JH Press), A LATE SNOW (JH Press), rereleased by T’N’T Classics, LAST SUMMER AT BLUEFISH COVE (JH Press), rereleased by T’N’T Classics, EYE OF THE GULL (Heinemann Books), QUINTESSENTIAL IMAGE (in a collection of plays entitled AMAZON ALL STARS edited by Rosemary Keefe Curb published by Applause Books.).

Published Poetry: a collection of Chambers from age nine through the time of her death, WARRIOR AT REST (JH Press), included poetry in GAY AND LESBIAN POETRY IN OUR TIME ( St.. Martin’s Press), included poetry in ARC OF LOVE edited by Claire Coss, published by Scribner.

She was a founding member of the New Jersey Women’s Political Caucus and of The Interart Theatre in New York City, and a member of the planning committee of the Women’s Program of the American Theatre Association. She was also a member of The Writer’s Guild East, and The East End Gay Organization for Human Rights. Ms Chambers is a graduate of Goddard College.

On February 15,1983 she died of a brain tumor at her Greenport, Long Island home; she is survived by her mother, Clarice, her two step-brothers Ben and Henry, and her life’s companion Beth Allen.

Women in Theatre (originally The American Theatre Association – Women’s Program) created in 1983 The Jane Chambers Playwrighting Award to encourage the writing of new plays which address women’s experiences and have a majority of principal roles for women.

Ms Chambers is taught both in women’s study programs, writing programs and acting programs in colleges and universities throughout the United States.