Theater advocate succumbs to ALS
WALNUT CREEK: 'Jann' Schaub worked tirelessly on behalf of area arts for a quarter of a century
By Jeanine Benca
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

Article Launched: 05/18/2007 03:07:51 AM PDT


Janet Rose Schaub, a tireless local arts enthusiast who helped build theater programs in Diablo Valley for more than 25 years, died Monday at her home in Walnut Creek.
"Jann" Schaub was passionate about promoting the legacy of American playwright Eugene O'Neill, especially among young people. She served on the board of the Eugene O'Neill Foundation from 1987 until her death, coordinating the foundation's "Student Days" program, a popular arts workshop for East Bay students held each spring at Tao House, O'Neill's one-time estate in the Diablo hills.

Throughout the 1980s, Schaub hosted a popular community access cable program, "Walnut Creek in Focus." The weekly television show examined issues in local schools and government.

A native of Detroit, Schaub studied drama at Michigan State University and Wayne State University. After moving to California in 1974, she became active in community theater, performing with Center Repertory Company, ACT Now, J&L Players and Town Hall Theatre.

Schaub gave her last stage performance in 2006 at the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church in Walnut Creek in a production of "Handy Dandy," in which she played an activist nun leading a peace march on a nuclear power plant.

In November, Schaub was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a chronic neuromuscular disease.

"She never made an issue of it. Her focus was not on herself," said longtime Eugene O'Neill Foundation board


member Bob Rezak.
In Schaub's final community theater performance, "she brought the same conviction and passion she has demonstrated for issues she cares deeply about -- world peace, the environment, her church, her community, her country, people and, above all, the arts," Rezak said.

Schaub is survived by her husband of 37 years, Gary Schaub; her brother, Robert Rose of Irvine; and two nephews, Matthew and Scott.

A celebration of her life will be held at 3 p.m. June 2 at the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the ALS Association, Greater Bay Area Chapter, 131 Steuart St., San Francisco, CA 94105 and to the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94596.