Sarajane Avidon Papers

Sarajane Avidon (b. 1941- d. 2006), was born Sara Jane Levey in Brooklyn, New York. Her family moved to Parkersburg, West Virginia shortly after her birth, where she later attended Parkersburg High School, graduating in 1959. In 1963, she completed her studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois earning a B.S. in Speech and Theatre, having studied with Alvina Krause. After graduation, she moved to Chicago and enjoyed a long career as an actress.

In 1975, Avidon appeared in Under Milk Wood at Orphans Theatre. With Mike Nussbaum as director, the play earned the Jeff Award for ‘Best Ensemble.’ Avidon was a founding member of the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and appeared in its first full play, Henry V (1986) and later as Maria in Twelfth Night (1996). Other notable roles include Jessie in ‘night Mother at Wisdom Bridge in 1986. In his review, theatre critic Richard Christiansen wrote: “With the aid of two marvelous actresses – Sarajane Avidon as Jessie and Elizabeth Moore as Mama – Norman’s play manages to make the dilemma of these thoroughly ordinary women tantalizing and engrossing.”

Avidon co-authored two mystery novels with Susan Sussman – Audition for Murder (1999) and Cruising for Murder (2000). The books feature the character Morgan Taylor, a young actress-detective based in Chicago.

In addition to acting and writing, Avidon was an award winning visual artist creating “Corgicards,” a series of postcard-size collages incorporating maps, photographs, postage stamps and rubber stamp images.