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BIO

Beth Kander is a USA Today best-selling novelist with tangled roots in the Midwest and Deep South. She is the author of I MADE IT OUT OF CLAY, her adult debut, as well as several books for younger readers. She was in the 2024-2025 inaugural cohort of Dramatist Guild Foundation National Fellows. Described as a “genre-defying author and playwright” (Oxford American), her work has been called “riveting” and “habit-forming.” Her work has been featured in Oprah Daily, Writer’s Digest, Slackjaw, Frazzled, and other outlets.


Beth earned an MSW from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Creative Writing from Mississippi University for Women, where she now serves as visiting faculty. She currently calls Chicago home, and is lucky to live there with her very favorite characters: her heroic husband, their two hilarious kids, and a giant rescue dog named Oz. Right this moment, she’s probably revising a scene while drinking too much coffee.

Representation (theater):
Susan Gurman
Gurman Agency

Representation (books):
Allison Hellegers
Stimola Literary Studio

News

Review: BEST LINE WINS at Contemporary American Theater Festival
by Jack L. B. Gohn - Jul 16, 2026

There are a lot of good laughs there.
Review: BEST LINE WINS at Contemporary American Theater Festival
by Andrew White - Jul 15, 2026

Ms. Kander has set herself a high bar indeed, writing at a level to match one of the early Sketch Comedy era’s most famous duos, and she absolutely nails it.  It helps, too, that we have a perfect cast for this run: in the role of Elaine herself, Lori Vega is edgy, scalpel-sharp, and as proud and brassy as can be. As Mike, Riley Shanahan yields readily to Vega’s Elaine May; his initial awkwardness and cluelessness is endearing, and his return to May, years later, acknowledges the debt he owed to her.
Photos: THE SMOKER, REFUGEE RHAPSODY and More at Contemporary American Theater Festival 2026
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 15, 2026

The Contemporary American Theater Festival launched its 2026 season, featuring five new plays, including four world premieres by Lisa D'Amour, Yussef El Guindi, Beth Kander, and Aurin Squire. See photos!
The Contemporary American Theater Festival to Present Five New Plays, Four World Premieres, and More in 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 12, 2026

The Contemporary American Theater Festival announced full casts and creative teams for its 2026 mainstage season at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W. Va., featuring five new plays, including four world premieres.
Review: CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN THEATER FESTIVAL'S 2026 Rollout
by Andrew White - Mar 12, 2026

One of the most eagerly-awaited debuts will be Beth Kander's 'Best Line Wins,' a show dedicated to the lives and careers of two of America’s great comic treasures, Elaine May and Mike Nichols. Whether you grew up with their subversive acts back in the day, or whether you’re a newcomer, or a fan of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, with its evocation of the comedy club scene in the late 1950’s, you are in for one helluva treat. 
Contemporary American Theater Festival Unveils 2026 Season Lineup
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 6, 2026

The Contemporary American Theater Festival will present its 2026 season, featuring a diverse array of new plays. The festival aims to showcase innovative American theater through world premieres and contemporary works.
POETRY FOR THE PEOPLE and More Set for Fountain Theatre 2026 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 15, 2025

The Fountain Theatre will present four relevant, urgent, thought-provoking plays and a host of satellite events that will comprise the company’s 2026 “Season 35: Revolutions and Revelations.”
Perisphere Theater Appoints New Artistic Leadership
by Stephi Wild - Feb 15, 2024

Montgomery County-based Perisphere Theater has appointed Gerrad Alex Taylor and Lizzi Albert as co-artistic directors, effective April 1, 2024.
Dramatists Guild Foundation Announces National Fellows Class
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 30, 2024

Dramatists Guild Foundation announces the National Fellows Class with Christine Toy Johnson and Bernardo Cubría as Chairs.
DC-Area Premiere of HAZARDOUS MATERIALS to Open in Bethesda in November
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 26, 2023

Perisphere Theater, a Helen Hayes Award-winning, nonprofit theater company based in Montgomery County, Md., will open the DC-area premiere of Hazardous Materials.
ZIONISTA RISING Wins 12th National Jewish Playwriting Contest
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 26, 2023

ZIONISTA RISING by Alexa Derman has won the 12th Annual Jewish Playwriting Contest.
Six Finalists Announced for the 2023 Jewish Playwriting Contest
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 10, 2023

The Jewish Plays Project has announced the six finalists for the 2023 Jewish Playwriting Contest, the JPP's 12th annual competition celebrating the best in contemporary Jewish playwriting, with the hopes of seeing these plays find world premier productions.
Creede Repertory Theatre Announces Transformational 58th Season
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 10, 2022

Beginning May 19, Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT) will produce its 58th season, which includes comedy, drama, romance, a world premiere and something for the entire family. CRT will continue to champion its thriving educational and audience engagement programming.
The Hippodrome to Present RUNNING MATES By Beth Kander in October
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 21, 2022

The Hippodrome Theatre is bringing Running Mates by Beth Kander to the stage as part of their 50th Season, Beyond Limits, October 14-30.
Creede Repertory Theatre To Come Together Indoors For 57th Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 18, 2022

From May 28 through Sept. 17, Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present its 57th season, welcoming audiences back with a return to fully live, indoor performances, audience enrichment opportunities and thriving education programs.
Creede Repertory Theatre Announces On Demand Streaming of Beth Kander's TO THE MOON
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 12, 2021

Creede Repertory Theatre will stream To the Moon on demand from March 15-April 11, 2021. Based on over 200 surveys and 20 in-person interviews with survivors of domestic violence, playwright Beth Kander lifts up these riveting true stories, complete with humor, revelation, and tragedy.
Creede Repertory Theatre Announces Live, Virtual Workshop Presentation of Beth Kander's TO THE MOON
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 18, 2021

Creede Repertory Theatre is offering a virtual presentation of Beth Kander's gripping new work, To the Moon. To the Moon lifts up the riveting stories of these survivors, complete with humor, revelation, and tragedy. Because 'statistics are not the most powerful way to change someone's mind. Stories are.'
Ashland New Plays Festival Virtual Lineup Brings Together Artists From Around The Country
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 20, 2020

From Broadway to L.A., Portland, Ashland, Creede, D.C., New York, Chicago, Nashville, and places in between, Ashland New Plays Festival is bringing together artists from across the country for their 29th annual flagship event running October 18-25 featuring livestreamed readings of five winning new plays.
2020 Henry Awards Winners Announced - Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and More Take Home Top Prizes
by Stephi Wild - Jul 28, 2020

The 2020 Henry Awards will announced on Sunday, honoring Colorado theatre.
Ashland New Plays Festival Announces Fall Festival Schedule
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 5, 2018

Ashland New Plays Festival today announced the schedule for its 27th annual Fall Festival, which takes place October 17-21, 2018, at the Unitarian Center, 87 4th Street in Ashland.

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