Beth Kander
Beth Kander is a writer with tangled roots in the Midwest and Deep South. The granddaughter of immigrants, her work often explores how worlds old and new intertwine—or collide. Beth earned an MSW from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Creative Writing from Mississippi University for Women. She calls Chicago home these days, and is lucky to live there with her very favorite characters: her heroic husband, their two brave, hilarious kids, and a giant rescue dog named Oz.
Selected honors and awards: Jewish Playwriting Contest (2023); Hey Alma! Pitch Challenge (2022); T. Jefferson Carey Memorial Playwriting Award (2022); Henry Award for Best New Play or Musical (2019-2020); PitchWars (2019); Indie Best Bronze Medal (2019); Headwaters New Play Award (2018); Equity Library Theatre-Chicago Award (2017); Ashland New Plays Festival (2015, 2016); Eudora Welty New Play Award (2008, 2010, 2012); Charles M. Getchell New Play Award (2012).
Current projects: MOUNTAIN OCTOPUS, a commissioned play for Creede Repertory Theatre; DO NOT EAT THIS BOOK, a children’s picture-and-recipes-book (Sleeping Bear Press, August 2023); and multiple forthcoming novels for young readers, young adults, and adults (whatever that means).
Representation: Allison Hellegers at Stimola Literary Studio.
Beth Kander 