This is the sixth in the series, “Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside: Past and Present.” This week we meet Jay Hamburger, artistic director of Theatre in the Raw. Working out of the Carnegie Community Centre, Jay has produced numerous plays in the Downtown Eastside. He also has a show on Coop Radio.
Our conversation centred on Bruce: The Musical, about activist Bruce Eriksen, who started the Downtown Eastside Residents Association and later went on to be a city councillor. He was partner to former Vancouver city councillor and former NDP MP Libby Davies until his death in 1997.
The play was produced to honour him and his commitment to the people of his neighbourhood. We also discussed some of the other plays that Jay has put on stage and on radio, as well as the people involved in creating them.
To find out more about Theatre in the Raw, please visit: theatreintheraw.ca
Bill Sample, the composer, can be reached at bill.sample67[at]icloud.com
Watch the full series here.
Jase Tanner has worked in the film industry for 30 years where he frequently serves as a shop steward. During this time he’s been active in social justice issues and has produced a handful of short, web-based documentaries.
