Oven Productions, a lesbian feminist collective and nonprofit production company, was formed in 1975. Oven Productions’ founding members include Judy Rainbrook, Lori Holmes, Gayle Ciemins, Jamie Hecker, and Susan Woodworth. The Oven Productions operates as a “non-hierarchal” feminist collection within which all of the collective’s members play a role in shaping group decisions and operations. Oven Productions is “particularly concerned with encouraging women’s culture in the Cleveland area.” Oven Productions has produced and sponsored “dance, music, theater, “music, films, theater, art dance, poetry, crafts,” and other entertainment events in Cleveland – including the annual Womyn’s Variety Show – for over 40 years. Oven Productions has operated out of numerous locations over the years. In 1981, Oven Productions’ offices were located at the Women’s Building Project (The Civic, 3300 Mayfield Road).
What She Wants. September 1977. 
What She Wants. December 1977. 
What She Wants. August 1980. 
High Gear. February 1982. 
Gay People’s Chronicle. June 1, 1986. 
Gay People’s Chronicle. November 1, 1987. 
Gay People’s Chronicle. February 1, 1988. 
Gay People’s Chronicle. March 1, 1988. 
Gay People’s Chronicle. October 27, 1995. 
Gay People’s Chronicle. January 12, 1996. 
Gay People’s Chronicle. June 11, 1999. 
Gay People’s Chronicle. November 19, 1999. 
Gay People’s Chronicle. June 8, 2001.
Additional information coming soon.
Resources
- Barnum, George. “Gay Community .” Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.
- “Brynna Fish Interview, 17 August 2023.” Cleveland Voices.
- Callender, Charles. “Oven Productions: Celebrating its Tenth Year.” Gay People’s Chronicle. February 1, 1985. Page 6.
- “Debra Hirshberg Interview, 11 July 2023.” Cleveland Voices.
- Fish, Brynna. “Shopping for Home.” Gay People’s Chronicle. June 1, 1988. Page 2.
- “How Gay Are We: Oven Productions Has Been Celebrating Female Pride for Nearly 40 Years.” Cleveland Magazine. August 15, 2014.
- “Milestones.” What She Wants. April-May 1983. Page 9.
- Negron, Sidney. “Gay Bars in Cleveland.” Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.
- Oven Productions. Facebook.
- Oven Productions. “Why Women-Only Concerts?” 1975. Michigan/Trans Controversy Archive.
- “Oven Productions.” Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.
- Schneck, Ken. LGBTQ Cleveland. Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2018. Page 12.
- Woodworth, Susan. “Work Exchange for Oven Events.” What She Wants. March 1983. Page 2.
