A much-beloved figure of local theatre, Jay founded Theatre in the Raw in 1994, then spent decades working as a producer, director, playwright, lyricist, actor, dramaturge, and teacher in both Canada and the USA.
He directed 180 original one-act plays, and started the Theatre Workshop in the Downtown Eastside.
For 30 years Jay hosted Vancouver Co-op Radio’s The Arts Rationale and The Raw Diaries, producing hundreds of unique interviews. In 2016, he received the Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Award for Community Engaged Arts. Jay was a poet, theatre director, and radio host.
He spent the last 30 years of his life creating dramatic works that celebrated the diversity and strength of his community on Vancouver’s east side.
Remembering the great Jay Hamburger – The Georgia Straight
